Nottingham High School 2011 alumna Alysn Lyons is an inspiring example of the impact of Say Yes Syracuse.
During high school, Alysn was an active student dedicated to her studies and various extracurricular activities. She demonstrated her leadership abilities by participating in Nottingham’s DECA, drama department, mock trial, and film society. She was also the props mistress for the summer production of Les Miserables, which was held at the same time as the announcement of Say Yes at the State of the School Address.
Alysn and her parents became aware of Say Yes Syracuse through school channels and news outlets. With the guidance of the Say Yes program, she enrolled in as many Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) classes as possible, allowing her to earn enough college credits to be regarded as a college sophomore by graduation.
Motivated by Say Yes’s mission, Alysn pursued her education at Medaille College in Buffalo. Initially, she opted for a major in education but later switched to communications during her sophomore year. Throughout her college journey, Alysn remained actively involved in campus life. She offered her time and skills to various organizations, such as collegiate DECA, student activities board, and student ambassadors.
Reflecting on her choices through Say Yes Syracuse, Alysn comments, “I got to go to an amazing college that fit my needs and offered small class sizes, a sense of community and ways to be involved. All while also being in a bigger city with many others from Syracuse.”
After graduating from Medaille in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Alysn began her career by combining her marketing and advocacy interests. She worked in different marketing roles, such as marketing administrative assistant at Pyramid Brokerage Company and marketing coordinator positions at WonderWorks Attraction while being actively involved in volunteer work and fundraising for childhood cancer advocacy. She showcased her dedication and commitment at the 46 Mile Ride for Childhood Cancer Awareness every September, benefitting the Johnathan Cancer Fund.
Currently, Alysn works as the marketing manager at Arch Amenities Group in Skaneateles, where she leads her team with enthusiasm and dedication, focusing on brand development and management. She is passionate about her work in marketing and continues to advocate for the fight against childhood cancer. Alysn’s career trajectory exemplifies continuous growth and adaptability, reflecting her belief that one’s true calling is discovered through exploration and perseverance rather than something predetermined.
Alysn notes, “Find your passion and run with it; anything is possible; the things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling!”
Her story is a powerful example of the impact of Say Yes Syracuse. Her journey demonstrates how education can be transformative and provides endless opportunities for those who dare to dream and strive for excellence.
She ends with an enthusiastic, “Go Bulldogs!”