Senior Ashley Fallon, new to Town of Webb school this year from Adirondack Central School, says she’s very happy to be here, and plans to enter Herkimer County Community College after graduation, as a biology student.
Eventually she would like to explore medical school and become a pediatrician. She says it’s her lifetime goal.
Her interest in pediatrics is driven by her love of children. She has four younger siblings that she says are a huge part of her life.
Ashley is a member of the Hadarondah Chapter of the national honor society. She had already been a member of the National Honor Society at Adirondack High School. She participates in community service projects, helping out with fundraisers and assisting with the blood drive. She also tutors 6th and 7th graders.
Academics are very important to Ashley, who said she puts forth a lot of effort.
She particularly likes Mr. Cunningham for English; she’s taking both English 11 and 12. She also likes Mr. Kinney for history and college nutrition.
Ashley said she finds the classes here to be “more interactive, more intriguing and more compelling. The teachers make it a lot of fun.”
“When I first started school I was really nervous about making friends, the usual worries; but it came out really well. It’s so cool to be included in things. It helps my self-esteem to be recognized. Here you’re more than just a number.”
She sees that as being a big advantage to living here, the intimacy of the environment.
Ashley said she loves Old Forge and has been able to get a fuller perspective on the town after only coming up for short visits. Over the summer she started working at Frankies and the Steak House and still does, she said.
Her move to Old Forge has helped her think about and get comfortable with going away to college, “like a stepping stone.”
She’s going to miss it here she said, but is looking forward to new friends and a whole life experience. She believes going off to college will be a really positive thing. “There will be negative things as well, that just comes with everything.”