Kelsey is a 4th grade special education student with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (autism spectrum). She is also a pageant queen who has 28 current local and state titles. Kelsey was adopted from a Russian orphanage when she was 14 months old. Kelsey was the victim of relentless bullying when she was in the 1st grade while weighing only 40 pounds and standing less than three feet tall. She came home daily with physical bruises and emotional scars. Fortunately for Kelsey, she has a support network of family members, friends, teachers, coaches and other parents who fought back against this injustice. Starting in second grade, she has been in a supportive environment that welcomes diversity and the value of every individual, including students with special needs. Kelsey has thrived. In addition to pageants, she is involved in dance, gymnastics, regional swim team, and a cheerleading show team. She is also one of the youngest children in the country to have received an award from the Kohl's Kids Care Scholarship Program which recognizes young people who made a difference in their community. Kelsey's pageant platform is "special needs means special abilities - the importance of self-advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities". She believes that individuals with disabilities can achieve great things in life and make a tremendous positive difference in the lives of others. When she grows up, she wants to be a role model for others and start her own charitable foundation that will support children with special needs.

Carol Norris
Bonaire, GA