Mary Thomas, Izzy's CREATE Recipient and Teacher with Izzy and Mayor Sullivan

Elizabeth Sikora, affectionately known as Izzy, is a very courageous young woman. 

You would never know from looking at her or talking with her that she has faced ridicule, teasing, bullying, and academic frustration as she struggled with social acceptance, competition, language, and problem solving.  Her challenge – she is Autistic.   

Izzy’s treatments began when she was three; since then she has been surrounded with people and programs to help her behavior and social issues.  By sheer determination, she has successfully learned to compensate and overcome her weaknesses and challenges.

She enjoys playing basketball but her Autism make the concept of competition a bit difficult.  She calls herself a “thinker” and realizes that processing plays and reacting takes her longer.  She has learned to be more aggressive on the court and to make certain that all her shots count.  And as a bonus, keeping her spirits up brings positive team spirit. 

Izzy uses her experience with Autism to serve our community.  She speaks to elementary and middle school students about how to deal with a disability and shares with educators her thoughts on what has been beneficial to her as a student with Autism.  And, never shy about her challenges, she has also spoken to a UAA Education class and to parents of Autistic and Asperger’s children.  

She has been an active member of Job’s Daughters, a participation that helped her with memorization, self-esteem, and leadership.  She worked her way through the offices to Honored Queen by organizing fundraisers and projects.  She works regularly with students in the Partners Club at East, with the East basketball team, and has helped at many other community events.

Izzy’s goals are to become an archeologist and to continue working with youngsters with disabilities, especially those with Autism.  She wants to continue to be a positive role model to help children realize that they can still dream, that they must believe in themselves and purse their dreams.   

Elizabeth’s Nominator and French Teacher Janice Strickland added:

This young woman has amazed many with her decision making and her passions in life.  Her mother eloquently expressed the feelings of many “Elizabeth continues to challenge herself and show that she can do whatever she puts her mind to do.”  I concur wholeheartedly.