Gateway Young Achievers 2006

Alton, Ill., girl is author, artist
and community volunteer

(Third in a Series)

Thirteen-year-old Ashley Beiser of Alton, Ill., has been writing books since she was in 2nd grade. She's a part of the Alton School District's young authors program.

Last year's book was entitled, "My Golden Treasure." Ashley said the book was a tribute to her dog that died at 13½. It was a Golden Retriever named "Buster."

Her story was coupled with family pictures of the dog during its long life.

"The book is also about how my life has changed since he's been gone. I've learned to be stronger," she said.

Her writing effort was judged to be the top student-written book at East Alton Middle School. Ashley attended there as a 7th grader. She is a regular Young Author winner.

Last May, Ashley was named a 2006 Gateway Young Achiever. The awards are given to metro-area youngsters who excel in school, extra-curricular activities and community service.

(This article is the third in eight profiles by Young Saint Louis.com of the elementary and middle school awardees. If you'd like to read the first two articles, go to Past Stories and click on June, 2006 and/or July, 2006)

Young Achievers are awarded a $1,000 savings bond and are eligible for the national Young Achiever competition. The awards are by the International Leadership Network.

Ashley will be 8th grader this fall at Alton Middle School. She was a student at East Middle School last year. But, this year all middle school classes will be in one building, the former Alton High School.

The community has opened a new high school building.

In a nomination letter, three of Ashley's teachers noted her "straight A" grades in classes. But, they said their nomination also was in recognition of her involvement in the community and as a "leader and role model" for others.

A lot of her community activities revolve around her church, Main Street United Methodist Church in Alton.

She is a member of the church's "puppet ministry." A group of middle school kids put on Bible-based skits for younger kids. They also perform at homes for the elderly.

"We perform about once a month for kids," she said.

Ashley said she usually performs with the same puppet. "She doesn't have a regular name. But, I call her 'Pinkie' because she has a pink dress," she said.

Another church-based community activity is a roadside cleanup program. The members keep a section of Illinois 140 cleaned of trash. There is also leaf raking for both the church and elderly parishioners. There's a "gardening for elders" program in the spring.

One of the recent activities was a Dessert Auction. Kids and their parents put on a church dinner that includes a "silent auction" of homemade desserts. The money raised at the Valentine Day event goes to the American Heart Assn.

Commenting on her community activities, Ashley said, "I know I'm helping somebody."

She also has participated in a Camp Skills Training Workshop. That's where older Girl Scouts helped young kids learn fire-building, first aid, cooking and tent pitching.

This year, she's planning to take a hospital course to help prepare for baby-sitting assignments with young relatives and neighbors. In the course, the kids learn CPR and first aid. They also get tips on how to answer little kids questions and concerns.

Another item on her schedule is a try-out with the Alton Youth Symphony Orchestra.

She will be going into her fourth year of playing the flute in her school band. Asked about her ranking, Ashley said, "My friend and I are tied for first chair in flutes so we switch back and forth for concerts."

Ashley also takes art lessons once a week from Pauline Wells, a retired college art teacher. Most of her artwork is drawing with colored pencils. Two of her drawings have been selected as "best of show" in school exhibitions.

She participates in science fair and math competitions. She also has been on the school volleyball team. Two years ago, her 6th grade team won a conference junior varsity championship.

Asked about last year, Ashley admits, "We weren't very good." But, she plans to try out of the 8th grade team in the fall.

About her future, she said she plans to attend college and is thinking about a career in art or as a teacher.