The pageant stereotype scares some young people away - but the thousands of community aware and active young women who are part of the Miss America's Outstanding Teen organization know that it is not a "pageant," but truly a platform to, not only earn scholarship money, but make their voices heard. (You know, like in Miss Congeniality - "It's not a pageant - It's a scholarship program!") With a crown on your head, people stop and listen. It's a chance to change your community, or change the world. Each titleholder in the organization chooses a platform - a communtiy service project or cause - she will promote during her year of service. From personal experience, I am passionately and actively promoting The Performing Arts in Education. I work as a volunteer in the media and the community, among any other proposed duties, to promote my personal platform, as well as Miss America's Outstanding Teen's national platform, Children's Miracle Network.

Your year as a titleholder is what you make it - it's up to you to use your celebrity status to change whatever you see needs changing, from smiling to a little girl on the roadside during a parade, to speaking out a conference in a room full of attentive adult leaders.

Go to MAOT.org to get started in the local Outstanding Teen program in your area, for young women ages 12-17. The Miss Sacramento County's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program, part of the Miss America's Outstanding Teen system, falls under the umbrella of the Miss America Organization and promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living, and community involvement for America's teens.

Become an Outstanding Teen! Visit MAOT.org to get started.