Miss Michigan

Yelena Merea Crawford

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Tuesday nights at our movie theatre are "Bring your own bucket night;" this means you can bring your own popcorn container and get popcorn for only 80 cents! One night we forgot a container, so my friends and I went searching through my trunk. I had a large black garbage bag full of clothes that I was going to take to Goodwill, and we emptied them all into my trunk. All of us took the garbage bag inside and they filled it to the top! We actually saved the popcorn we didn't eat and left it in my trunk for nights when we would get hungry.

Please list, starting with the latest, any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, last date completed and any degree or certification you received.
Columbia Central. 2004.
Jackson Community College. Dual-Enrollment (Political Science and Sociology). 2004.

Please list any Honors/Awards you have received in the past 2 years.
M.E.A.P. Academic Scholarship
Ferris State University Residential Life Scholarship
John George Loan Recipient
Special Tribute from the state of Michigan
National Honor Society Member
Graduating Highest Honors
Honor Roll
All-Conference Athlete Award
Academic Boosters Award for 3.5 GPA and above
America's National Honor Roll

What is the most interesting or surprising thing about you, or that has happened to you?
I have actually hit 3 objects with my car in one day. I was on my way to the mall with a few friends and we got caught in a tornado! It was raining and hailing so hard that I couldn't see, and I accidentally rear-ended a van on the highway. After this I decided to drive 55 mph down the shoulder of the highway, in the middle of a traffic jam, to get to shelter. There was a large construction sign down that I didn't see, and I hit the sign, swerved to the right, which almost landed me in a LARGE ditch, and swerved to the left and hit the back end of a small semi-truck! Luckily we ended up getting off the exit and getting to a safe place without anyone being hurt!

Are you the oldest, youngest or a middle child and what does that mean to you?
I am the youngest child; it's sometimes very hard because my sister and I are 7 years apart. I have always been home without her, and I wish I would have had someone to play with all of the time.

Name one person, family, friend, celebrity, who has had the most influence on your life.
John Crawford (My Dad). My dad has always been the moderator in our family. My mom and I are so much alike that we constantly bicker back and forth with each other, and my dad is always there to solve the problems. He has really helped me to accomplish all of my dreams, and no matter what decisions I make he is there to support me. Being successful himself, it makes me want to strive even more to make something amazing out of my life!

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years? Please provide the name of the charity, level of involvement.
Foote Hospital in Jackson, Michigan - Pediatrics Volunteer - Take food to the children and read them books.
Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Shopped for and delivered Christmas presents to all of the children in the hospital. (The money was donated by my father's local union.)
March of Dimes in Lansing, Michigan - Spoke and participated in the Walk of America marathon near the state capital.
American Red Cross in Jackson, Michigan - Helped raise money for the 9/11 Disaster Fund.
Special Olympics of Michigan in Traverse City, Michigan - I was a volunteer, helping the athletes prepare for their events and presenting medals at the awards ceremony.
Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac, Michigan - Helped hand out Christmas gifts to all of the families living in the shelter. I also adopted a family of 8 and bought them all Christmas gifts.
Food-Gatherer in Ann Arbor, Michigan - I sat outside of a grocery store trying to gather as much food as possible for food pantries in the Ann Arbor area.

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