Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen Platform

Annie Jorgensen, Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2011

Be Aware, Prepare - Taking the fear out of food allergies isn't just my platform, its my life. Not only do I, but my older brother Tommy has life threatening food allergies, so living with food allergies is all I've ever known. My mission is to educate others about the seriousness and increasing prevalence of food allergies, to advocate requiring critical information to be made available to all that are challenged by food, and to raise funds for research. There is no cause or cure of food allergies, strict avoidance is the only treatment. 

The purpose of Be Aware, Prepare - Taking the fear out of food allergies is to include all who not only have food allergies, but face any type of challenge in their life. The number one fear of all who face challenges is to be different than their peers, to be excluded. My platform allows me the opportunity to talk to people of all ages about the challenges they face, how to overcome those struggles and gain skills, such as confidence, responsibility and understanding, that can be applied throughout every aspect of life. My platform Be Aware, Prepare - Taking the fear out of food allergies is the belief that living with limitations doesn't mean living a limited life, live life to the fullest.