Leah Sykes is on a mission. This 16 year old junior homeschooler from Jacksonville, Florida recently competed for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and calls her platform “Seeing Beyond Disabilities”. Her mission is working to give those with mental and physical disabilities the same opportunities as those without disabilities. One of Leah’s main goals is to create a handicap accessible park with an adjacent beach.
It takes a lot to impress a judge in these contests, but after interviewing Leah, it’s not hard to see why she was crowned Miss America’s Outstanding Teen for 2014.
What is your main passion and describe when you first became interested in it.
I love singing! I play guitar and write music and I’ve been doing it since I was 12 years old! I became interested in it when I went to the Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen pageant in 2009!
Have you ever been told you “can’t” because you are a girl? What did you do about it?
As far as the goals in my life go I have been blessed to be surrounded by people who continually encourage me in all that I do.
I do, however, remember being looked down on at camp my freshmen year because I was a short, skinny girl but I proved all the guys wrong when I got them all out in dodgeball and was named Iron Woman 2011!
Instead of believing people when they tell me I can’t, I decide to use it as motivation to prove them wrong!
Do you have a favorite event or memory?
In November of this past year I was able to speak and perform for a group of children at The Dream Academy in Philadelphia as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. The questions they asked were really amazing but my favorite memory was when a young girl came up to me and told me she wanted to be exactly like me when she grew up. That was so exciting to me to know that I could have that influence on someone!
How would you encourage other girls who are interested in your field?
Take every chance you have to perform! It will help you remain comfortable and confident performing whether you’re singing for a small audience of 2 or a larger audience of 10,000!
What other interests do you have?
Although I love all sports, my favorite is definitely running! I run four times a week and am training for another run. I love testing my limits and seeing all that I am capable of.
Where to find Leah
Learn more about Leah’s projects and catch up on her latest music videos on Facebook and ReverbNation.
How can you help?
Making things accessible to those with disabilities is everyone’s responsibility. In what ways can you improve the world around you to make it brighter for someone who needs a little extra help? Leave your comment below.
