RHS’ Alford always willing to help

Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

Russellville High School’s Anna Kathryn Alford knows a thing or two about helping others.
Doing volunteer work isn’t something most people would think a high school senior would count as a priority, but the 18-year-old Alford said it’s just something she enjoys.
Through her involvement in her church, Alford has been part of several different mission trips to Rochester, N. Y. where she has reached out to underprivileged children. She also serves as a Vacation Bible School worker and a nursery volunteer.
Through her involvement in Franklin County Junior Leadership, Alford was required to accumulate a certain number of community service hours, but she went above and beyond what was actually required of her because she enjoyed it so much.
“I had actually played piano for the residents at the Country Cottage in Russellville before, so when I found out I had to get community service hours, I just thought I could go back and volunteer there,” she said. “I only had to get six hours there, but I enjoyed it so much that I just continued coming back for the rest of the year.
“I loved getting involved with the community through Junior Leadership because I saw how much the community really does need volunteers.”
Being so willing to give of her time to help others has actually ended up helping Alford make a firm decision about her future.
She said she has always wanted to go into nursing because of her love of helping others, and her time at the Country Cottage helped make that decision turn into concrete plans.
“I realized through my time at the Cottage how much I enjoy working with elderly patients,” she said. “When I become a nurse, I hope to specialize in geriatrics.”
When Alford graduates from high school in May, she said her sights are set on the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“I know they have a great nursing program and I really love Birmingham so I thought it would be a good fit for me,” she said.
Alford said she was looking forward to the independence college would offer, but she would also miss some of the things about her small-town school experience.
“I will definitely miss the closeness I’ve had with the teachers here,” she said. “Some of them are just like parents and you feel like they would help you with anything.”
Alford said she would also miss the fun high school experiences she’s had during the past four years.
“Football games are always fun because football is such a big deal at Russellville and you can go and have a good time with your friends because everyone is there,” she said. “I also have good memories from Homecoming week this year. We had a lot of fun.”
Alford was actually voted first alternate on this year’s Homecoming Court, but that wasn’t her only brush with high school royalty. Alford was also named Miss RHS 2012 in March.
In addition to those titles, Alford has also been very involved in campus organizations. She has served as president of the Student Council, treasurer of the National Honor Society, vice-president of the Student Booster Club, secretary of Students Against Destructive Decisions, and a member of the Annual Staff, Future Business Leaders of America, Christian Students United, Health Occupation Students od America, Mu Alpha Theta, Chemistry Club and Spanish Club.
Through her involvement and many years at Russellville, Alford has made friendships she knows will last for a long time, but she is also looking forward to meeting new people once she starts college in the fall.
“I’m going to miss the people here, but I think it’s time for me to be out on my own and have new experiences and meet new people,” she said. “It will definitely be different making my own decisions, but I’m excited about what the next few years hold.”
After she finishes up her time at college and moves on to finding a job and starting her career, Alford said she hoped to settle down close to Birmingham.
“Growing up in Franklin County has been nice because everyone knows everyone and I like the fact that there are local shops and restaurants to go to, but I really like the city,” she said. “I think I would like to have a job as a nurse at a big hospital in Birmingham and live somewhere just outside the city so I’m still close to everything but not right in the middle of it.”
Until she heads off to college in the fall, Alford will be working at her part-time job at Morgan Chiropractic, playing the piano, which is her favorite hobby, and spending time with her friends and her family, which includes her parents, Tim and Lori Alford, and her sisters, Jordan, 20, and Lauren, 14.