By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON/For the Reporter

Sydney Slaughter began her reign as Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen 2013 almost one year ago.

She will crown her successor on Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at Shelby County High School. Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen is part of the Miss Alabama/Miss American Organization.

Slaughter, 14, is a freshman at Briarwood Christain School and the daughter of Roddy Slaughter of Indian Springs and Terri Moore of Hoover. She dances competitively in ballet, jazz and hip hop.

Her platform, “Salute to the Stars, Recognizing our Veterans,” was developed through her love of her grandfather, the late Brig. Gen. Robert Slaughter M.D., who served in the U.S. Air Force for 38 years and was chief of staff at the VA Hospital in Birmingham.

“My year as Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen has been amazing,” Slaughter said. “I loved representing Shelby County in all of the events I participated in. It is always a blessing to see the smiles on people’s faces when I perform my talent or visit the nursing home. I loved hearing stories that the vets told me about their time in the war. I also loved performing at Children’s Hospital and visiting with the kids.”

Slaughter has had a very busy year as MSCOT. She participated in numerous events, including: ome of the Columbiana and Montgomery Christmas parades, Liberty Day luncheon and parade and Shelby County’s 195th birthday celebration. She also performed a Christmas ballet at Children’s Hospital with other teen pageant winners, modeled at Shelby County Arts Council luncheon at First Baptist Church of Columbiana, performed her talent routine at several pageants and hosted a party on Veteran’s Day at a nursing home. Recently, she managed fundraiser for Indian Springs Village to sell 100 American flags honoring veterans to fly on holidays.

Slaughter said she’s looking forward to meeting next year’s winner.

“This year was a true blessing,” she said. “The next Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen is a very lucky girl.”