When Alyssa Williams graduated from Iola High School in 2025, she didn’t head straight to college like many of her peers. Instead, she chose to work, regroup, and give herself time to understand what she wanted to do next. Seven months later, she’s a student at Allen Community College.
In high school, Williams worked full time at G&W Foods while also serving on staff at Safe Base, USD 257’s after‑school program where she taught students art, reading skills, and homework routines. It was there she discovered how much she enjoyed helping children learn and feel supported.
“I found out that I love working with kids,” she said. “Not every kid gets treated the same at home. I want to give each kid the same opportunity to feel cared for.”
Her plans changed when a longtime family friend encouraged her to audition for the ACC band. Williams had not played trombone in 10 months, but her skill stood out immediately at the audition.
“She didn’t sound at all like someone who hadn’t picked up an instrument in almost a year,” said ACC Music Instructor Patrick Matarazo, who awarded her a scholarship following the audition.
In January, Williams officially enrolled at Allen, taking a full course load while continuing to work both of her jobs. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher after completing her undergraduate studies.
The process, she said, feels far less intimidating than she imagined. “I was scared of going to college and scared of failing,” she said. “But now that I’m here, it’s not as bad as I thought.”
Her experience reflects a growing trend among students who choose nontraditional paths after high school. Many are taking short breaks before enrollment, using the time to work or refine their goals.
“Every person has a purpose, and sometimes it takes a while to figure it out,” Williams said. “A gap period is OK. You’re not behind. You’re just learning what you want to do.”
