Alyssa Stencavage
Age: 23
Location: Mountain Top
Favorite Weekender feature?: Model of the Week
What would your last meal be?: A Cuban dish and some ice cream from Snack Shack. One of my best friend’s family is Cuban, and they sure know where it’s at when it comes to cooking.
Who do you admire?: There are multiple people I admire and without whose love and support I may not be where I am. I admire my family, but two people who really come to mind upon even deeper reflection are my friend, Gianna, and another friend’s aunt, Maria Glenn.
Gianna decided to follow her heart and switch from being a physician assistant to teaching, despite the odds and a lot of opposition, because she was so unhappy. Not only do I admire her for taking the leap, but she continues to be a major source of inspiration and helps me in many ways. Her unwavering support has helped push me along in making decisions that are right for me. I think the courage she has displayed is rare. I love her enthusiasm about life and always enjoy spending time with her.
For Mrs. Glenn, I admire this woman a whole lot more than I think she knows. She always lends an ear when needed and reminds me to keep fighting, trusting, and praying through the difficult times because God is always with us and has the best plans for our lives. She is down-to-earth, kind, supportive, and it’s safe to say, has been my saving grace in many ways.
What is your favorite Fall activity?: I enjoy walks, taking in the season, foliage, and just being surrounded by family and friends. Going to pumpkin patches or haunted houses can also be fun.
What accomplishment are you most proud of to date?: Graduating college has probably been my proudest moment. There’s an overwhelmingly positive, wonderful and official feeling that comes with seeing all your efforts pay off, as well as feeling like something larger than yourself. I also feel accomplished about personal issues I have overcome.
What is your life motto?: Everything happens for a reason. This rings true for me, especially as a relatively new working professional. It can be a tough society to grow up in, surrounded by many standards and expectations and it’s easy to become confused and frustrated. We often don’t understand the plan for us or why things happen the way they do but we must trust in the process and embrace change and lessons as they come.
What is your favorite quote?: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
What three things can you not live without?: Without a doubt, I cannot live without God, friends and family, and music. My faith has strengthened through my struggles and I need Him through everything. In terms of my friends and family, these people keep me laughing and are always there. They give me life and make me feel good. Music is also powerful and can change your mood and make you feel alive inside.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: Well, this is tricky because nobody ever knows what’s in store for them. Sometimes the plan we have is not the one that is meant for us. It doesn’t hurt to think about the future, but I think there needs to be more of a focus on enjoying where we are. Down the line I hope to be filling some kind of leadership role that allows me to use my creative energy, love for planning and helping others, and allows me to make a difference. That could very well be as a guidance counselor or somewhere in the realm of communication mixed with education.
What is your definition of success?: I think Maya Angelou captured its essence when she said, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” To put it simply, I think success is exhibiting confidence, loving what you do, and radiating a positive energy that others feed off. It is embodying all of these characteristics, regardless of where you stand financially, socially, etc. If you love what you do and it aligns with your biggest strengths, success will flow naturally. William Raspberry also said it well: “Your best shot at happiness, self-worth, and personal satisfaction – the things that constitute real success – is not learning as much as you can but in performing as well as you can something that you consider worthwhile.”
