by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Alyssa Jackson is a 5-5, eighth grade varsity swimmer at Grand Rapids HS (MN). She attends and also competes for Robert J. Elkington Middle School. Her family lives in Grand Rapids, MN.
“We are the 2019 8A section champions,” said Alyssa.
“I am part of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe,” said Alyssa. “My Grandmother is a member of the Fond Du Lac Band of Ojibwe. My Great grandfather was James ‘Jimmy’ Jackson, a medicine man who lived and worked on Leech Lake.”
“Our family has strong traditional values,” said Alyssa. “These values are passed down generation to generation.”
“Solveig Viren almost had all the school records and I want to try and beat them,” said Alyssa.
“I made it to the Junior Olympics,” said Alyssa. “I’ve been in it for two years. I hold the 100 backstroke and the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and the 400 free relay with the same relay team for the middle school.”
“Keep a positive mindset even though I struggle with this,” said Alyssa. “When I am in a good mindset I do way better then when I’m not.”
Photo Credit: Alyssa Jackson
