Senior Spotlight – Alexis Adelman

Fallyn Budde, Journalist • November 26, 2024

Tune into this article to learn more about this sweet and kind human. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

For this week’s senior spotlight, we will be highlighting Alexis Adelman. She has lived Sartell her whole life and we are so excited to see what the future has in hold for this sweet girl. Alexis is a loving, amazing SHS student.

The beautiful Adelman family enjoying the sunset on the 4th of July. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

Before we learn about Alexis, Fallyn Budde interviewed Alexis’s mom, Chris, and wanted to hear more about Alexis and their journey.

What do you guys like to do as a family?

“We love to travel and like to head the cabin on the weekends in the summer. We love to go hiking. Alexis loves to swim, get out on the lake and go tubing. For winter activities, she loves to snowshoe. We love love love going to the Wild hockey games.”

What is your favorite place you have traveled?

“Hawaii, every kid gets to pick where we go for spring break as a senior and this trip started her obsession for Moana.”

How many kids have you had, names and ages?

“I have three kids, first born kid is Alec and he is 26 years old, Austin is the second boy and he is 24 years old, Alexis is 17 and she is going to be 18 in December.”

How did you find your new normal with having Alexis have down syndrome?

“When she was born, we were very confused because we didn’t know she had down syndrome, she dealt with depleted oxygen and I was more worried about her health than anything. It was more of embracing a new kind of vision for her and I believed that the biggest piece was how we were supported and finding friends to know her genuinely and care for her. A new normal for me was realizing that everything she did would take her 2-4 times longer than normal and to be okay with that and that the little milestones are big milestones and being so proud of all the effort she puts into everything she does.”

What is your favorite quality of Alexis?

“She finds the best in everyone and can detect others emotions and can sense when something is wrong and can go give them a hug. I love her laugh, her giggle is the best and her smile is just so contagious. Every morning she wakes up just happy.”

What are some misconceptions about having a kid with down syndrome?

“That they don’t understand what she is saying but she is very good at knowing what people are saying and what they mean. Since she is nonverbal it is hard for her to get across what she is trying to say and people assume that since she doesn’t say much that she doesn’t know what your saying. She just needs longer to process things, and people also don’t know the things she can actually do.”

What is your favorite thing to do with Alexis?

“I love just being with her but I love crafting with her. She loves going to the movies and going for walks. We love to travel together, reading, going to the lake, and we love to shop together.

What is your favorite place to shop?

“Probably Target and going up down the aisles.”

What is Alexis”s favorite thing to do outside of school

“She just loves to relax and get massages and scratches.”

Alexis shows her love for the outdoors and she loves hanging out with her friends. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

Alexis is so talented and finished this puzzle all by herself. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

Alexis loves the airport and always loves going to a new destination. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

Get to know Alexis!

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Alexis loves going on walks in nature and finding cool new things with her friends. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

Alexis and her best friends had a cute meet up at Coldstone before Anna Nemenich left for college. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

These girls spent the day bowling and spending time together. (Photo used with permission from Chris Adelman)

About the Contributor

Fallyn Budde, Senior Journalist

Favorite season: Fall Favorite show: Virgin River Favorite food: Steak Dream job: Special education teacher Starbucks order: Strawberry acai refresher with 4 pumps of classic and light starwberries

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Senior Spotlight – Alexis Adelman