Central High Students Elect a Special Queen

CENTRAL — Life hasn’t always been easy for Alyssa Hollingsworth, a Central High School senior who suffers from cerebral palsy, multiple handicaps, and a few years ago cancer.  But one thing did come easy — an overwhelming victory in her election as Central High’s 2014 Homecoming Queen.

She won in a landslide, receiving more than twice as many votes as her nearest competitor.

Perhaps her victory says as much about those who did the voting as it does about Alyssa.  The vote was by secret ballot of the Central High School student body.

The Central Community School System is a small school system with only 4,500 students, but goes out of its way to provide programs for community-based kids with special needs.

Alyssa’s dad, Darren Hollingsworth praised the Central community and the Central school system, staff, and students for all they do for Alyssa and other kids.

Alyssa suffered from Grade 4 brain hemorrhaging four days after birth.  “She’s had a tough time,” her dad said, “She’s had multiple surgeries, including back surgery with steel rods inserted, scoliosis, and hip surgery.  In 2002, she had cancer and was at St. Jude’s for nine months. That was tough on her to be away so long.”

“But she loves to be with people.  She understands everything that’s going on.  She can’t read because of her eye spasms but she enjoys TV.”  Asked if Alyssa can talk, her dad laughed, “Can she talk! My God, she won’t stop talking!  She has headsets and loves to talk with her friends on the phone.”

“One of her favorite things is getting to cheer with the cheerleaders every year, but there are numerous events she participates in throughout the year.  The main thing is, she likes to get out of the house.”

Central High principal David Prescott said Alyssa is a precious girl. “She is so sweet, and this meant so much to her.”  Coach Sid Edwards, himself the father of two autistic children, said, “Isn’t it great to live in a community where everybody is treated like they ought to be treated?  I’m so proud of Alyssa and proud of our kids.”

— Woody Jenkins, editor