Ava Stephenson, a sophomore at River Hill Excessive College in Clarksville, Maryland, is the winner of the Miss Bethesda’s Teen title, due partly to her mission to alter the stigma surrounding meals allergic reactions.
Her Protected Chunk Allergy Consciousness effort is all about educating the group about meals allergic reactions and fostering a extra inclusive setting.
“As somebody with a meals allergy, I dwell and breathe my Group Service Initiative every single day, which is what motivated me to begin this journey,” she mentioned.
As part of her work, she delivers care packages to hospitalized youngsters, with greater than 200 packages distributed thus far.
She additionally teaches others administer an EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector throughout an allergic response, sharing the mantra: “Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh,” referring to the machine’s blue cap and orange needle guard.
Ava defined: “The typical individual doesn’t know use an EpiPen, so remembering this message may assist save somebody’s life.”
When not on a mission to avoid wasting lives, she can also be the varsity’s main baton twirler who performs weekly at soccer video games.
Ava defined: ‘“Competing in pageants has modified my life tremendously. It’s given me abilities I might have by no means discovered, comparable to talking in entrance of a big crowd.”
Sponsored by the Miss Montgomery County Group, the Miss Bethesda’s Teen title serves as a preliminary to the Miss Maryland and Miss America competitions. Ava beforehand held the title of Miss Central Maryland’s Teen and plans to make use of her platform to proceed increasing the attain of her Protected Chunk Allergy Consciousness initiative.
We congratulate Ava on her pageant win and her advocacy for meals allergic reactions. We want her continued success on her journey.
