Nationwide — Meet Maddie Oliphant, the primary African-American to be topped Miss Mississippi Teen USA, a title she earned after three makes an attempt. At 19 years outdated, Oliphant, a Hickory native, is utilizing her platform to encourage others and push for higher entry to books for younger kids throughout the state.
Oliphant, a pupil at East Central Group School, launched her venture, Maddie’s Little Library, in honor of her youthful brother Evan. Recognized with autism at age 3, Evan’s studying expertise improved by means of day by day studying classes together with her. That have impressed her to assist different kids uncover the facility of books.
By way of her platform, Oliphant plans to prepare guide drives and donate books to daycares, preschools, and native libraries. Her mission is to develop early childhood studying throughout Mississippi and encourage neighborhood involvement.
“As a result of it’s individuals such as you and me and concepts like Maddie’s Little Library who can develop this group, and that’s precisely what I plan to do,” Oliphant advised WLBT.
Profitable the crown took three years of effort, however Oliphant stated the journey made the victory sweeter. Oliphant hopes her journey will encourage younger ladies, particularly ladies of colour, to maintain going regardless of how lengthy it takes.
She credit her small city for serving to her attain this milestone. She stated, “I imagine that I couldn’t have executed this with out my small city and the help I had there. I need to give again to them, I need to spotlight the small companies in my city that basically poured into me and I need to do them the smallest little favor by simply giving again to them.”
Oliphant additionally thanked her household, coaches, and make-up artist Stephanie Moore for serving to her acquire the arrogance to maintain going. With a full yr forward, she plans to develop her platform and maintain empowering others by means of her story.