Sometimes it can be daunting to follow in the footsteps of a champion--especially that of Miss TEEN USA.  But when that challenge fell upon the contestants at the 2012 Miss Texas Teen USA pageant, one very special young lady not only accepted it, but proved to all just what she was capable of accomplishing.  On November 27, 2011, Madison Lee tearfully accepted the title passed along by the reigning Miss TEEN USA, Texas' own Danielle Doty, and began a life-changing year.

"I have learned that I am a very driven, determined person and that I work best when I have a goal set before me," said the 18-year-old senior at Northland Christian School in Houston.  After finishing in the Top 5 at last year's pageant, Madison summoned her "never give up" attitude and wasted no time in preparing for this year's event, knowing it was meant to be her destiny.  With such diverse interests, she delights in sharing some of her not-so-typical teen traits.  Though comfortable in high heels and rhinestones, Madison states, "I enjoy many outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing," adding that her favorite magazine is Field and Stream.  However, with a 4.0 grade point average, she seems certain of where her future lies as well. "I plan on going to medical school to become a specialized nurse.  My dream would be to balance a career as a nurse and at the same time be an admirable mother.  But my fondest wish is to know my efforts have made a difference in the lives of others."

Along with a photogenic beauty and sweet disposition, her life experiences and sheer drive have played a big part in Madison's life.  Among her more unusual accomplishments: she has been a tap dancer in an off-Broadway show, is Captain of her cheer squad, runs Anchor on her 4x4 relay team, maintains a spot on the All "A" Honor Roll and has racked up an incredible 300+ community service hours, many as a volunteer for Street Reach Ministries.  Showing an entrepreneurial spirit, Madison shares, "I have a private baking business where I make 'cake pops' for private parties and any special event."  Besides these things, she has swam with stingrays, can ride a Unicycle and if you ask her nicely, will do a sidesplitting Jim Carrey impersonation from the movie "The Grinch"!

But along with not taking herself too seriously, Madison also possesses a sincere, open-minded and honest side.  With a philosophy more mature than her years, she states, "As a teenager dealing with peer pressures, I have chosen to take the high road and stay true to who I am."  She reveals that she has always admired civil rights activist Rosa Parks "for standing for what she believed in."  With that, she flashes "my most treasured possession, my purity ring, because it reminds me daily of who I am and what I stand for."  She lives her life according to the best advice she ever received: "To always remember that actions speak louder than words."

By far, the most important words that Madison lives by are what she refers to as her "life guide."  It is her personal foundation that she has shared with hundreds of people whom she has crossed paths with:  "Be all there."   She defines it as being able to "be in the moment no matter what you are doing.  No matter how many directions you are pulled in, no matter what is happening around you, take time to stop and take it all in.   If you have a friend who needs someone to listen, take time to stop and listen to what they have to say.  Be able to treat someone as your only priority--as if they are the only person in the room at that moment.  And at the end of the day, look back and reflect, and know, 'I was able to be all there for someone else who needed me at that moment.'"

When preparing her Contestant Profile before the pageant, Madison's answer to the fun question about her "Aladdin's Lamp wishes" was, "to be able to see the future so I could know the outcome of this pageant."  Madison's wish came true on that one.  Now as she prepares to be crowned the next Miss TEEN USA, I guess we will have to check with Aladdin on that, too.

                                                                                                              ~J.J. Smith