YEP Alumni – Where are they now?

Meet Alexa Farris, former Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Secretary, Co-Chair, and a 2014 graduate of Sycamore High School. During her three years in the YEP program, Alexa learned a great deal about donors, professionalism, philanthropy, and her community.

So where is Alexa now and did the YEP program have an impact on her life after high school? Let’s find out!

Meet Alexa Farris

(Q) Who are you and where did you go to school?
(A) My name is Alexa Farris and I am a 2014 graduate of Sycamore High School.

(Q) How many years were you in YEP?
(A) I was in YEP for three years and had the honor of serving as both YEP Secretary and YEP Co-Chair.

(Q) Where are you now and what are you up to?
(A) I am currently a senior at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and will graduate in May with my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management! In June, I start my full-time position with ALDI as a District Manager in the Olathe, Kansas Division.

(Q) What’s a recent accomplishment you are proud of?
(A) After becoming a manager at the Country Club I worked at in Columbia, MO, I completed a District Manager internship for ALDI in St. Louis this past summer. This upcoming semester, I will serve as the student-ambassador at Mizzou for ALDI!

(Q) How did YEP shape what you are doing now?
(A) In college, it is easy to get comfortable with the areas of the campus and not really expand your limits– physically and mentally. My freshman year, I made a point to get to know my college town community. I challenged myself to meet people that were beyond campus and the classroom. Now, in my senior year, I am familiar with almost every business in town, and am aware of the many different perspectives and lifestyles of all the people living in the community. YEP also inspired me to become active with my sorority’s philanthropy, and I served as our Philanthropy Co-Chair!

(Q) What were some of your greatest takeaways from YEP?
(A) The communication skills I learned from my time in YEP have helped me all throughout college, especially in interviews. After serving as YEP Secretary my junior year, then committee Chair my senior year, YEP gave me the confidence and ability to not only get in front of a crowd of adults, but also lead a crowd of adults. Interview time your last couple of years in college is crucial, and paves the way for your new life. The skills I learned early on definitely helped me land my job in college, my promotion, my internship, and my full-time position that will begin soon.

(Q) How are you currently (or plan to in the near future) giving of your time, talent, and treasure?
(A) Currently, I volunteer through my professional business fraternity’s service events all throughout the community during the school year. In addition, I recently had the opportunity to attend a Phoenix Suns Charity Event, assisting the needs of children and families in Arizona.

(Q) If you could pass on any knowledge or advice to current YEP members, what would that be?
(A) To not only be a member of YEP, but to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Consider running for a position, standing up to give your opinion, doing some research and bringing different options to the table. The amazing thing about YEP is that it is made up of high school students making a huge change in the community. That’s powerful at such a young age. Once you realize that and take advantage of it, the sky is the limit!

Learn even more about Alexa in her video interview!

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