On the Cover
By Mia C., age 14, North Carolina
Sweet Advice Featured Columnist
"Mia C." is a nickname for Maria from North Carolina, Sweet Designs Magazine's most prolific advice columnist, featured on this month's cover. Maria believes that "If I give advice that I wouldn't take myself, then why would I give advice at all?" She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her parents and 2 younger siblings, Matthew (12) and Monica (10).
Maria is unashamed to call herself a committed Christian. She enjoys visiting her grandmother and listening as she sings Old Southern Gospel. Mia also enjoys singing herself.
Maria is the President of the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter at her school, is part of the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, a junior member of the DAV and VFW, and is included in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Mia has also been involved with Future Leaders of America and the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Honors and opportunities have included being the 2006 - 2007 Ashe County Cinderella Over-all Teen, the 2005 - 2006 Junior Miss High Country Summer Fun Queen, the Elite Miss Ashe County Lifetime Ambassador, the Elite Miss Grayson County Lifetime Ambassador, the Elite Miss American Pride Lifetime Ambassador, the 2007 - 2008 Junior Miss Blue Ridge, the 2007 - 2008 Young Miss of the Carolinas, and a member of the 2007 - 2008 Teen Miss North Carolina Royal Court. Maria is especially enthusiastic about being a High Voltage Teen Youth Ministries "Teens for Real Love" mentor.
As a child Mia had big hopes and dreams, and never once decided to give up on them. She enjoys reading anything by Stephen King. Maria looks up to her grandmother, mother, and younger sister for advice and love, and considers them her role models. She enjoys learning anything she can about whatever she can. Her favorite subjects include algebra and history. She often says, "Without full knowledge of the past, how can we understand the present or future?"
During her time away from school, Maria enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Scott, whom she met through mutual friends. Maria and Scott became friends themselves before dating. Maria says Scott is a sweet guy who really cares about her and respects her family; for that she's especially thankful. Maria and Scott are fun-loving people with goofy personalities. They can be serious when the moment calls for it, but they love nothing more than to have or give someone a good laugh.
Maria wants to be known as "just your average girl, with big dreams, great friends, an awesome family, and a perfect boyfriend." She hopes to attend Appalachian State University, majoring in psychology.
November cover photo and photos of Maria on this page: Steve's HighCountry Photography, Jefferson, NC
