Together with their parents Kaitlynn Melissa Alvis and John Thomas Pulliam announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. The bride-elect is the daughter of Kevin and Cindy Alvis of Benton and Mike and Julie Hayes of Mt. Vernon. The prospective groom is the son of Lex and Shannon Stewart and the late John Pulliam of Benton. Miss Alvis is a 2009 graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School, a 2011 graduate of Rend Lake College and a May 2014 graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor of liberal arts degree in psychology. She is currently employed as a cashier at the Cracke Barrel Old Country Store in Marion. Mr. Pulliam is a 2007 graduate of Benton High School, a 2009 graduate of Rend Lake College, a 2011 graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor of science degree in special education and is a 2014 graduate of McKendree College with a master of arts degree in educational administration. He is currently employed as a learning specialist at Benton Elementary School. An Oct. 18 wedding is planned at the Benton Civic Center in Benton.