Hello, my name is Alexis States, and I was born and raised in the heart of Terrell, Texas. With both of my parents being proud alumni of Terrell High School, it only felt right that I, too, would walk the same halls and follow in their footsteps. Terrell has been a part of my life from the very beginning, and it has played a huge role in shaping the person I am today.
Being a student-athlete is like having a full-time job, and I’ve embraced every second of it. Throughout my four years at Terrell High School, I’ve been a varsity cheerleader, earning the honor of serving as captain during my senior year. I’ve also been a dedicated powerlifter for four years and a two-time regional qualifier. On top of those roles, I support our athletic department as a student athletic trainer. Balancing these responsibilities has taught me the importance of time management, teamwork, and perseverance.
While I love being active and involved, one of the things I’m most proud of is my commitment to service. Over the past few years, I have volunteered more than 1,500 hours to my school, other schools and the local community. I know that might sound a little crazy for a high school student, but to me, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my life. Giving back to others whether they’re in need or not fills me with a sense of purpose and peace. One of my favorite ways to give back is by pouring into our younger students. Helping to build up the next generation of Terrell leaders is my way of leaving a legacy behind.
My dedication doesn't just stop when I'm not participating in my extracurriculars. Inside the classroom, I put just as much effort into my academics. I am a proud member of the National Honor Society and have worked hard to maintain my grades while taking college-level courses. I am currently a dual credit student at Trinity Valley Community College and will be graduating this spring with my associate’s degree—before I even receive my high school diploma. I’ve also been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, which recognizes academic excellence and leadership.
Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to share that I will be attending my dream school, Texas Tech University, this fall. There, I plan to earn my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology, followed by a master's degree in Athletic Training. My goal is to combine my passion for sports, service, and health to make a positive impact in the world of athletics and beyond.
Terrell has given me so much and I’m proud to carry everything I’ve learned here with me as I take the next step in my journey. As I put my time into Terrell it put its time into me.
How did I go above and beyond? I went above and beyond by pushing myself to do better and by maintaining a strong image of who I wanted to be. In other words, I am a student-athlete who managed to maintain all A’s throughout high school while also participating in extracurricular activities such as soccer and volleyball. In addition, I held three jobs and still attended school clubs like Student Council and the National Honor Society. Despite what others say is impossible, I managed to make the impossible possible.
“How did I do it?” they ask. Well, I managed my time, stayed organized, and kept my priorities straight. Don’t get me wrong—it definitely wasn’t easy. But hey, it was worth it. Did I know what to expect when I started high school? No. I am the oldest daughter and have two younger brothers. I had no one to show me the way, so I had to take it step by step. When I entered my freshman year, my only goal was to get all A’s. That’s all I knew. Fun fact: when I started, I thought freshmen were called “sophomores.” That just shows how little I knew!
Furthermore, as I mentioned, I was involved in sports like soccer and volleyball. I was a student-athlete throughout all four years. Did I really know what I was getting into? At first, I thought I did—but in reality, I didn’t. I thought I would just play sports, bond with teammates, and compete. That wasn’t the case. There were time sacrifices, missed school days, mental challenges, and a whole lot of hard work. There were levels to it. Levels to help make our school successful and known. It wasn’t just for fun—it was for a purpose. I had to stay organized, do extra work on the side to stay caught up, and always stay on my toes. I was dedicated to never falling behind. Most importantly, I wanted to be a role model to my younger brothers—to show them that you can do it all, as long as you’re willing to put in the extra work.
For example, I played varsity soccer my freshman year. I was the top scorer, named District MVP, received Honorable Mention, and was selected for First Team All-District. Volleyball was a bit harder for me since it wasn’t my main sport, but I still made the JV A team and eventually made varsity by my junior year. On top of that, I participated in Student Council and attended meetings after practice. I was also nominated for the National Honor Society at the end of junior year. At that moment, I realized—I can do it. I can do it all. I ended up in the top 10% of my class. And the best part? I got into every college I applied to.
In conclusion, the impossible is possible—I made it possible. I started out knowing nothing, and that’s okay. There were many ups and downs, many learning moments, and many obstacles to overcome. Life comes with risks and sacrifices. Sometimes things get harder before they get better. But I managed. And I’m still not done, because life keeps going.
