Ashlynn Maxwell overcame anxiety struggles as a child and plans to use those experiences as an adult to help kids with similar issues.
Maxwell, who graduated from Parklane Academy in May, is the Pike County recipient of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors 2022 County Employee Scholarship and received a $500 check at Tuesday’s meeting. Approximately $33,000 in scholarships were awarded throughout Mississippi.
Children and grandchildren of Pike County employees are eligible for the award. Maxwell is the daughter of Pike County IT assistant Jason Maxwell.
She said the $500 scholarship was a big honor and did not expect to be picked from the pool of candidates.
“I wasn’t really expecting to get it because my dad’s job is something that’s very important to the county, but it’s not a job that’s put out there,” she said. “They’re behind the scenes, so I wasn’t really thinking that I would get it being that he is just the IT person, but I was really surprised to get it.
“I was honored to get it. I was really excited to be able to use the money toward something college related.”
Maxwell plans to attend Southern Miss for her undergraduate degree in psychology and later for her Ph.D., and then become a child psychologist. She said her own experience seeing a therapist and dealing with anxiety issues inspired her to go into psychology.
“What sparked my interest was that I started going to a therapist for anxiety,” she said. “Just getting to know my therapist and being in a close relationship with her kind of sparked my interest.
“This was something I enjoy and that I want to do. It became something that understanding what was going on with me became a passion, and it kind of sparked me to want to become a psychologist to understand more of what goes on in those sorts of situations.”
Maxwell, a Summit resident, graduated from Parklane with a 3.98 GPA, finishing with highest honors. She was on the principal’s list throughout the 2021-22 school year and was in the honor society for Mu Alpha Theta.
Board president Jake Gazzo presented Maxwell the award and said his wife, Amy, taught her in College English I and II.
“I just want you to know this is a big deal,” Gazzo said to Maxwell.
“We’re proud of you. I know you’re going to go to bigger and better things. We are so proud of you and you definitely are setting an example. Your grades were great. You’re a great student. I got to see you a couple of times when Ms. Amy was teaching you so keep doing what you’re doing. We’re proud of you.”
Derrick Surrette, executive director of Mississippi Association of Supervisors, spoke about the scholarships.
“The MAS County Employee Scholarship program is one way that our association can give back to the employees of our counties,” he said. “We hope to have an even greater response to the program next year.”
As Maxwell enters the next stage of her life, she talked about how she would apply her experiences to help others as a child psychologist. She said she used to be nervous before going to school when she had to take a test and had social anxiety in crowds when she was younger.
“I really just want to go as far as I can go,” she said. “I want to be able to help people. I love understanding the brain and stuff like that. It intrigues me. I just want to be able to help people as best I can through illnesses that are brain related. That’s kind of been my passion for a couple of years.”
Maxwell had advice for those who were struggling with anxiety.
“Just try to relax yourself,” she said. “Take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world. If something goes wrong, you could always leave. You have the right to remove yourself from any situation. Find something that feels safe for you. Set a boundary with people. If you’re overwhelmed, say I need to go. Don’t sit there and be in a situation that you’re uncomfortable in. You have the right to leave.”
Maxwell said she would come home if she was able to secure a job in her field in Pike County.
Maxwell’s interests extend beyond academics and her chosen profession. She played trumpet in the school band from fifth grade through graduation.
“The people there were accepting,” she said. “It just became like one big family. We all were there for each other. I’ve watched people leave. I’ve watched seniors graduate. What they’ve done for me, I’ve tried to do for the younger kids coming into the band. Helping out and taking somebody under your wing really makes a difference.”
