Miss Teen Maryland Spirit
My name is Sierra Marie Crooks, an 18 years old born and raised in the beautiful state of Maryland!
I am a senior at La Plata High School, in which I am involved in: Key Club (Key Club Key Leader), Best Buddies (Liason), SGA, and Thespians (House Manager).
Some special honors include: High Honors (9-12), Principle’s Honors (10, 11), Outstanding Key Clubber (9, 10, 11), Key Club Key Leader (10, 11, 12), International Teenager of the Year Nominee (2011), and Humanitarian Award @ Miss Teen Maryland USA 2010.
Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy the following: soccer, acting, modeling, staying fit, charity work, softball, church, musical theatre, spending time with those I love, and watching the Steelers make it the superbowl!!
Volunteerism is extremely important to me..some organizations I have worked with are: Civista’s walk for the homeless, Childrens Miricle Network, JayCee’s Hall, Happy Helpers for the homeless, DECON Leadership Convention, Beyond Beauty for Girls, Angel Shelter dinners, Susan G Komen Walk for the Cure, Make A Wish Foundation, Relay for Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, Students Against Drunk Driving, and HAVlife!
I have many goals in life but one that I am extremely passionate about is:
“NEVER LET THE HAND YOU HOLD, HOLD YOU DOWN.”
Scars remind us where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we’re going.
As many of you know, domestic violence (whether within a family or relationship) has a tremendous effect on a persons perspective on themselves. For the past few years I have decided to turn my setbacks into something positive. I believe whole heartingly that EVERY individual deserves to be loved the right way and what better way to show them that then to create an organization in which supports the awareness & PREVENTION of domestic violence and it’s negative effect it has on women all around the world. There is no better way to support women then to stand together and show them they are NOT alone and are worthy of healthy relationships!! The fear abuse creates in it’s victems is ABUNDENT..they need people behind them to encourage them to stand up for what’s right – abuse is something some people overlook if they have never been victemized…yet domestic violence destroys the personalities of millions of women and children daily as well as DEATH. Start saving lifes by joingin aside me and taking a stand for women and children around the world who don’t YET have the strength to stand up for themsleves.
The moment you believe in yourself and your abilities is the moment you are able to see the ablilites in others & believe in them as well. This specific quote has taught me a lot about myself and has pushed me to finally put my ideas into words…
“Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.”
Growing up, I was so confused and hurt and didn’t know how to channel my negativity from my personal expierences for the good of myself and others. It is a very dark place not having someone or something to lift your spirits when you have been through or ARE going through something so dark and dangerous such as abuse. But because of this quote, my confidence as a maturing lady, and my passion for lifting others up…I have decided to put into works something I have been extremely passionate about for a few years. I hope to create a non profit organization for the awareness & prevention of domestic violence entitled, “Never let the hand you hold, hold you down.”
Absolutely EVERYONE has the ability to make a POSITIVE impact on someone elses life. Don’t let your insecurities create frusteration when it comes to setbacks in your life. The moment you change your view upon yourself, your abilities, and the world…your opportunities become endless!!!
Another issue I have found myself passionate about is the confidence in women of all ages…which in fact goes along side of what I have been speaking on. I believe everyone is unique which in return means YOU are beautiful..the media, family, friends, maybe even you yourself question different aspects of your body or the way you look in certain clothes based on the WORLD’s view of beauty…In conjuction with “Never let the hand you hold, hold you down.” I would love to encourage women of all ages, sizes, coultures, and beliefs to realize your potential to be beautiful from the INSIDE out.
…A little secret from me to you – a size two, long hair, tiny waist, or big daunting eyes do NOT categorize you as beautiful…rather so your grace, compassion, and HEART for others bring out your true beauty!!!!
I am EXTEMELY excited to get going on these two issues I have been pondering on for years – if you have any suggestions or are willing to join aside me to promote the awareness & prevention of domestic violence as well as the confidence gain in women please feel free to message me, email me at WSKJ826@aol.com, or simply contact me however you please! I would love any advice on how to get this up & going.
And remember….YOU have the ablilty to change the world, one life at a time.
“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. ENCOURAGE ME, and I may not forget you.”
- Sir William Arthur.
Other goals include: graduating college with a double major in Criminal Justice and Communications, becoming a FBI agent, traveling the world in effort to END domestic violence and child abuse, continue in the field of acting and modeling.
What American Spirit Pageants mean to me: The American Spirit Pageant is the first of it’s kind having a portion of the judging based on charity. The HAVlife Foundation sponsors many scholorships to help unprevielged children obtain their goals and explore there talents. YOU can make a difference in a child’s life just by visiting www.HavLife.org and making a donation…there are many unprivileged children in our world but with your help a child could have opportunities they would never had before! As Miss Teen Maryland Spirit, I and my fellow pageant sisters had the unforgettable expierence of meeting eachother in The Quad Citys while competing at a pageant dedicated to Conviction, Compassion, Charity, Courage and Character. As a state Queen we all had to raise money for HAVlife, and while doing so securing our titles in the national level. American Spirit Pageants has truly opened the eyes of many and reminded each and every one of us how important charity is and how strong of an impact us women can make. I am blessed to have had such an amazing opportunity and can’t wait for what’s in store for us as we – American Spirit Pageants, HAVlife, YOU, and I take this year long journey together. Together we can make an impact.
Good Morning!
What if you woke up one day and felt sad and alone? You had no one to eat lunch with and no one to share your life with? There are 7.5 million Americans with intellectual disabilities – and 200 million worldwide – who are the most neglected and undervalued population in the world, and, as such, children with intellectual and developmental disabilities often grow up experiencing a life of rejection and isolation.
I am humbled to have been asked to make an appearence this May at College Park! I am walking in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk – Baltimore, MD to raise money for Best Buddies Maryland. The proceeds from the Friendship Walk will be used to support Best Buddies programs statewide, an organization that helps to end the social isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our communities by providing friends and jobs.
Through Best Buddies, hundreds of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities have successfully moved from segregation and desolation to a new acceptance in their family and community. In turn, Best Buddies has created a new spirit of public service for thousands of middle school, high school, college, citizen and e-Buddies volunteers that will last a lifetime. I am ready to make a difference.
I have committed to raising at least $200, and I cannot do it without the help of people like you. I hope you will consider supporting my efforts on behalf of Best Buddies. You can donate online using the link to my Walker Webpage at the bottom of this e-mail. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
I sincerely appreciate your time and want to thank you in advance for any donations you can make. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Best Buddies International
Thank you to my Sponsor:
JuicePlus
I would like to thank all my family & friends for their support and encouragment.
See Sierra Marie Crooks featured on the news site thebaynet.com
Upcoming Events
Kids Fun Fest on Sunday 2/27 at the La Plata Fire House
Sunday March 20th at the bowling alley for Bowl for Kids Sake in conjunction with Big Brother Big Sister
Friendship walk for Best Buddies in May at University of Maryland College Park
I am also stirring up ideas to raise money for HAVlife locally!
Upcoming event I will be doing with Kiwanas!
