With this feature series, The Cullman Tribune is highlighting everyday individuals all around Cullman County who make our community a great place. #IAmCullman
Every once in a while, you cross paths with someone whose light shines so brightly you feel it deep in your heart. Someone so positive and inspiring that meeting them becomes an absolute necessity and a gift. Anyone who shares a space, hug or conversation with Alivia Bencze understands exactly what it’s like to be in the presence of pure light and love.
She’s just 17 years old, but Alivia’s smile, spunk and sass quickly make her the bright star in the room and the life of the party. The Tribune met with Alivia and her mom, Dawn Williams Farley, recently to learn more about this special young lady. We were greeted with one of Alivia’s signature hugs and her amazing smile.
Alivia is in the 10th grade and attends the Cullman County Child Development Center. She has Down Syndrome, or as she prefers to call it- Up Syndrome.
She recently experienced a magical evening at the Night to Shine Prom.
“I liked it,” she smiled. “I got my dress at The Classy Lady. I picked a dress that matched my boyfriend.”
She attended the dance with her boyfriend of five years, Joseph, whom she met playing baseball.
At Night to Shine, Joseph gave Alivia a beautiful necklace with the word “love” along with candies and other gifts. She agreed that he might just be a keeper.
Like most teen girls, she daydreams about her future. She wants to work, get married and be independent.
“I want to go on a honeymoon to Africa!” she exclaimed.
Alivia was chosen by “The Ace & TJ Show” as a “Grin Kid” in 2011 and got to travel to Walt Disney World with her family for six days.
She recalled, “I love Disney! I like Cinderella Castle and I met Mickey, Minnie and Goofy.”
She had dinner one evening with her favorite characters inside the castle. Not a fan of roller coasters, she said her favorite ride was It’s a Small World.
Basketball, baseball, soccer, dance and competition cheer are just a few of Alivia’s talents.
“I can teach you a backbend,” she smiled. “I can do cartwheels and roundoffs and a back handspring with help.”
When she grows up, she said, “I want to be a hair and makeup artist.”
Alivia enjoys creating makeup tutorials and sharing them with her friends. She also loves watching dance videos on TikTok and listening to music. She loves Justin Bieber, Frozen, Ariana Grande and many others. Anything she can dance to is great!
She added, “I love animals. I have five dogs, five cats and two birds at my dad’s house. I like Pugs. I have one at home named Gizmo but we call him Gizzie.”
Her room is also full of stuffed animals.
Alivia participates in many activities throughout Cullman that cater to special needs kids.
“I never thought she would be able to cheer or have a dance class that’s modified for her,” said her mom, Dawn. “They have everything: baseball, basketball, dance, soccer. Kelly Pulliam, she is head of the therapeutic group in Cullman for park and rec (Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism’s Therapeutic Recreation program). She has gone above and beyond with everything!”
Dawn said of her daughter, “She’s a little celebrity. Everywhere we go somebody knows her. Everywhere! I’ll ask her, ‘Who is that?’ and she’ll say, ‘I don’t know.’”
Dawn asked Alivia, “Do you love Cullman?”
Alivia instantly replied, “Yes!”
Alivia will turn 18 in September of this year. She has two more years at the CDC and then she plans on transitioning into the Flourish of Cullman program.
Said Dawn, “She wants to work; she wants to be independent. She wants to have her own house. She wants to get married.”
Alivia said she would love to work at Tangled Tails Pet Parlor in Cullman. Tangled Tails participates with the CDC as part of its outreach program that gives Alivia and others experience working while being graded at school.
Where does Alivia’s happiness come from?
“Her!” she exclaimed, pointed to her mom and snuggling up beside her.
Alivia is a role model at school and everywhere she goes by always being positive.
“I’m always happy,” she smiled. “I don’t get angry. I just don’t.”
“She never meets a stranger. We call it Up Syndrome because she is always up and positive and upbeat. There’s nothing down about her,” said Dawn.
The best thing about Alivia according to Alivia herself? Her hugs.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
