Lauren Parkes
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Lauren Parkes (Miss Black Delaware USA 2007 & Miss Maryland Galaxy 2008) was born on April 7, 1987 in Baltimore, Maryland
During her high school years at the Institute of Notre Dame, an all girls-Catholic high school, Lauren found the competition dance team as a challenging and rewarding expenditure that she was involved in for all four years of her high school career. In addition she was an avid member of the Peer Ministry Club. During Lauren’s senior year, she was one of several students throughout the state of Maryland to be honored as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in academics and the art of dance.
It was in Lauren’s sophomore year of high school that she ventured into the world of pageantry. Since her entry into the pageantry arena, she has competed in such pageants as: Miss Maryland Teen USA 2004, Miss Maryland Teen Coed 2005(4th Runner up), Miss Maryland USA 2007,Miss Black Delaware USA (Winner) Miss Delaware USA 2008 (Top 16), and Miss Maryland Galaxy 2008(Winner). Lauren has won a variety of awards consisting of: Most Promising Model, Best Sportswear Model, Best Smile, Placement in the semi-finals, and two-time Best Interview honors.
In addition, to Lauren’s involvement with pageantry, she is actively involved with her community and considers giving back to be a top priority. She is a Big Sister in the Big Brother Big Sister organization of Delaware and the volunteer cheerleading coach of a Junior Olympic Cheerleading team at the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, Delaware. Furthermore, she recently founded a non-profit organization entitled Project Wish List which enables disadvantaged families to have an incredible Christmas holiday.
During her reign as Miss Black Delaware USA, Lauren deemed it important to teach youth that they can accomplish their dreams and stay true to themselves in the process of doing so. She stresses that it is essential that we show faith in our youth and as role models continuously strive to break down barriers whether they be gender, race, or age related.
