BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – A Beckley native and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alisa Strickland was honored Friday with the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Over the past 2 years, 23-year-old Alisa Strickland has managed three academic databases for over 300 service students, validated academic progress through three language programs, and augmented defense language institute to enable speaking exams saving her department over 40 staff hours.
“She was always a person that didn’t want to fail at anything and whenever she set her mind to do; she did,” said Mary West.
With all the odds stacked against her, Alisa has come a long way from her younger days when she was homeless. After moving in with her grandmother, Alisa excelled in school and worked multi jobs in the Beckley area.
“In Junior high school, she excelled. In the 8th grade year, every award the school had to give, it was given to her,” said West.
Alisa’s grandmother and foster mom says she wants her granddaughter’s story to inspire children in the Beckley.
“To be a young black female, I would like for other young people, no matter the color of your skin to know what you go through in life you can still excel,” said West.
Mary West, says she hopes Alisa’s story will inspire the youth in the community.
