Town of Webb senior Alexis Dolan, 18, has lived in the Old Forge area her whole life.
In the fall, she was still considering colleges, but has narrowed her choice to three favorites: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), Canton/Potsdam and Oneonta.
She said she plans to major in Early Childhood Education and is considering a minor in Special Education.
She said she has spent a lot of time caring for children, so a child-centered career seems natural.
“I started babysitting at the age of nine,” she said.
“I knew I couldn’t babysit my whole life. I also looked into daycare work,” she said.
Alexis said she knew she wanted to teach when she worked with the kindergarten and first grade classes this year.
“I really like that atmosphere—being with the class. And once I get to college I will be able to focus on that,” she said.
Her favorite class is English. “I’ve always enjoyed reading,” she said.
“Writing is frustrating for me, but I always feel good when a piece is finished. I look back over it, and decide I’m pretty good at writing,” she said.
Ms. Brownsell is her favorite teacher. She is also her volleyball coach.
“She is very laid back, and she seems like she really cares when I talk to her about anything,” Alexis said.
Alexis is a flute player, but had to forego band for her busy senior year.
She is a member of senior chorus, but said the spring play is not her thing. “I get too nervous. I have stage fright,” she said.
She is also a member of the Big Sisters Club.
Outside of school, Alexis spends her time working at the Strand Theatre, The Bear’s Den in Old Forge, and she also babysits for a number of parents.
One of her hobbies is photography, she said.
In the summertime, she hikes a lot.
She said her interest in music encompasses a wide variety of styles. “I really do like all music,” she said.
Alexis’ parents are Dawn and Vinny Dolan. Vinny owns and operates The Bear’s Den restaurant. Dawn is bartender at The Back Door Bar and Tony Harper’s and also does housekeeping.
Her sister Brooke, 13, also attends school at the Town of Webb.
Alexis said the TV show ‘Teach’ helped channel her interest in education. “The star of the show was a teacher. She talked about how she changed the lives of so many students…that really inspired me,” she said.
Her plan for the summer is to work a lot and earn for college, she said.
When Alexis heads to college, she said she will miss her family. She will also miss the families she met through babysitting.
She is looking forward to graduation and college, she said.