By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Sydney Slaughter was recently crowned Miss Shelby County’s Outstanding Teen 2013, her first title. The preliminary title is part of the Miss America Organization’s program for teenage girls ages 13-16.

The petite, talented 13-year-old is the daughter of Roddy Slaughter (Indian Springs) and Terri Moore (Hoover). She is an eighth grader at Briarwood Christian School, where she has attended since 4K and dances competitively in ballet, jazz and hip hop with the Point Dance Arts Company in Hoover.

Sydney’s life has strongly been influenced by her grandparents, Betty “Kikee” Slaughter and the late Brig. Gen. Robert Slaughter, M.D. For 10 years, her grandmother hosted the Miss Alabama Gala, where Sydney grew up understanding the importance of the MAO through the scholarships available and volunteer work of the young women. Her grandfather, a gastroenterologist, served in the Air Force for 38 years and was chief of staff at the VA Hospital in Birmingham. He taught her the value of patriotism and the role of the veteran to our nation.

From these two special people in her life, Sydney began to pursue her dream of becoming Miss Alabama and developed her platform, “Salute to the Stars, Recognizing our Veterans.”

Sydney was a Rising Star for four years from ages 8-12, where she was partnered with title holders, a MAO program that helps young girls develop poise and have fun on stage. One of her Rising Star highlights was when she went to Orlando with Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2009 Avery Cooper for the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. She met girls from all over the USA and was treated as a contestant. Sydney loved every moment.

“I founded (my platform) to bring awareness, education and patriotic passion back to teens today,” said Sydney. “My grandfather taught me how to be patriotic and to serve others. My mission is more than just a platform for a scholarship program. My life’s mission is to be the crusader for Veterans.”

Correction: A story in the Aug. 1 Shelby County Reporter incorrectly referred to Marie Falkner as being deceased. In fact, Marie Falkner, wife of Bradley, is very much alive and living in the Shangri La nursing home in Columbiana and is visited daily by her brother, Buck. We regret the error.

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.