I have always wanted to educate others on the amount of responsibility that is required of them when they choose to participate in any kind of sexual activity and the precautions that they must take.

Leighann works with Advocates for Youth and Tell Them as a State Activist in South Carolina.

When I was younger, talking about sex was a “taboo” subject. The very first class I had that educated me on sex and the diseases associated with it was a generic and very broad health class which I took my 9th grade year in high school. I have realized since then that this issue is much more than teaching people to use protection. I have always wanted to educate others on the amount of responsibility that is required of them when they choose to participate in any kind of sexual activity and the precautions that they must take. However, I never knew exactly how to take that route. My junior year in college, a member of Tell Them (a grassroots e-advocacy network located in South Carolina) came and spoke with my class and shared with us what they were about. She also told us about Advocates for Youth, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to become involved.

Now, I am a rising senior at Claflin University.. I am also the current Miss Claflin University for my school. My platform is entitled “Putting a Face to STDs within the College Community.” I am extremely passionate about this platform, as this affects the majority of my gender, my race, and my age group. My mission is to actively work to implement a plan to address these urgently pressing issues on our campus as well as in the surrounding community. I realize that wearing the crown does not mean that I am beautiful or popular, but that I have been given the great responsibility of leadership through education. I am excited about being a part of Advocates for Youth and look forward to making a difference!