Fifth grade student Alyssa Niven excels at home and in the classroom.
NEGAUNEE -- It's something we're calling The Future Generation. Every week, we'll a feature a student in the U.P., someone who's going above and beyond...a shining star.
FOX UP's first student is Alyssa Niven of Negaunee. She's taken a scary situation and pushed right on through.
Alyssa is your typical 10 year old...she likes to hang out with friends, sing, and dance. But in between episodes of Hannah Montana, you'll hear her talking candidly about her mom and cancer.
"It was kind of hard because it sounded really bad and it would take a long time before it was over," admits Alyssa.
Her mom is in the midst of a battle with breast cancer. Chemo, radiation and a double mastectomy, the family together, is working to get through it.
Alyssa says, "If she's cold, I'll get her a blanket. If she needs help, I'll help her with whatever she needs help with. If we need to go somewhere and we're really busy if she can't find the keys, I'll help her."
Alyssa's mom, Sara, has done everything she can to ensure her kids lives and routines don't change. She's helping her kids by keeping them focused.
And that's exactly what Alyssa is doing; at Lakeview elementary, fifth grade this year, she excels, loves learning and recess.
"Learning because I'll get smarter and recess because I get to let out my energy," Alyssa adds with a smile. "I love to read."
The oldest of five kids, she's also a role model. She's learning to embrace that status. She admits she likes to take bike rides alone sometimes to take a break.
Alyssa is dedicated. And, at just 10 years old, she's an example of the strength in tomorrow's future generation.
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