2023 “Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional Award Winner Alyssa Clark, Lewiston Recreation Department

Alyssa has a combination of professional drive, networking skills, and love of working with the community that any recreation department would be lucky to have. In her short time in Lewiston, she has not only expanded recreation opportunities in the City, but she has also increased participation in standing programs. Through diversifying LRD’s programs, she has solidified positive community partnerships with Lewiston Little League, Lewiston Youth Football, as well as increased relationships with local high school coaches. These efforts have bridged together youth from a variety of community pockets, allowing for a stronger impact from Lewiston Recreation programming. Her phone is always ringing, and it feels like every week, she has made a new connection for the department. She is outgoing and confident.
Although her heart is in youth sports, Alyssa broke out of her comfort zone by securing partnerships that brought free family cooking classes to Lewiston, and has organized Safe Sitter Trainings. Her most recent success included Ugly Sweater BINGO, where the Mayor of Lewiston made an appearance to congratulate her on a job well done. She oversees Lewiston Rec Summer Camp, where she is often boots-on-the-ground with campers and our young staff.
She does all of this with a great sense of humor, ideal when working with the public. Her ability to have a conversation with anyone in a friendly, professional manner is a vital skill for any young professional.

Lewiston is an up and coming City, on its way back to beings a busy and economic hub in the Maine. The work that Alyssa does is helping repair the City, and is extremely impactful to our new-Mainers and youth. When I hired her, I told her that it was going to be an uphill battle for a couple of years, with opportunity to grow something new and different. She took the challenge head on, and the City is a better place because of the work she does every day.

Alyssa currently serves on the Fall Workshop Committee, and ran the 2022 Spring Conference social event.