02/08/2013
Biography
Growing up, I was a very shy and independent person. I have always loved reading and writing and I have been creating artwork since I learned how to hold a pencil. I was not what you call "popular" in school; far from it actually. I had a small group of good friends and love interests but that was it. Like so many others, I was picked on heavily in grade school and due to my shyness I never stood up for myself. I resigned myself to just sit back and take the abuse. Eventually, I became a victim of intense full-fledged bullying in high school. Girls made fun of my high heels and clothes, called me ugly and made a spectacle every time I walked by them in the halls. My breaking point came when a group of girls attacked me and pulled my hair out in the lunch line. I ran to the principal in tears - I was finally forced to ask for help - but he did absolutely nothing.
After that, I was determined to seek justice - not just for myself but also for all the other kids who I had seen being tormented over the years. The school officials did not take me seriously but I marched myself into their office day after day until they finally agreed to have a meeting with me. I started making anti-bullying posters and posting them across the school. Kids laughed at me while I was putting them up and tore them down right infront of me, but I continued to post them and hold my head up high. During my Junior year of high school, I decided to take even more action by writing a letter to the school board that exposed all of the horrible things that were taking place within their schools and practically begging them for help.
I never heard back from a single member of the board. They told the principals to crack down on any misbehavior that was witnessed, but of course nothing changed. At the next board meeting, they honored the class president for the anti-bullying efforts - the very same girl who had tormented me and made my days a living hell. She received the credit for my letter (how ironic). My spirit was crushed.
After my Junior year and this horrible experience, I decided to change high schools for my senior year. This turned out to be the greatest decision I've ever made. I wasn't an outcast at my new school and the bullying epidemic was very much under control. I entered and won my very first beauty pageant there which gave me something I had been lacking my whole life: self-confidence. I was addicted after that and started combining my love of competition with my drive for anti-bullying. I started my own foundation and promoted it with the titles I won. I started traveling and modeling and saw that I was starting to reach out and help others with my story and image. And that's where I am today. I know now that my suffering has helped me become strong and to help others who are in the same boat as I was.
I thank God for all of those hard experiences because now I can help His other children with my story and wisdom.
