The privilege and honor of being selected Miss Iowa Teen USA 2012 for Carissa Becker has been a momentous and life-changing event. That special October day in Newton, Iowa will resonate with her for the rest of her life.

Carissa primarily entered the pageant as a vehicle to help make a difference in the lives of others, and to be a positive role model to others. She has striven to be a person of good character and citizenship all her life, and so in essence has been training and preparing for this opportunity for years.

Carissa resides in Waterloo and is currently a senior at Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville. She has an older sister, Brianna, who attends Wartburg College; a younger brother, Brett, who is a sophomore at Don Bosco; and a younger sister, Erica, who is a 3rd grader at Immaculate Conception Grade School. She has been touring colleges and is still undecided on her college choice, but is currently planning on a major centering on dietetics, nutrition, or exercise science, with a minor in Spanish. While going to high school, she works part-time at Famous Footwear to earn gas and spending money.

In high school, she is a high honor role student and is currently the Yearbook Editor, Student Council Vice President, and National Honor Society Secretary/Treasurer. She also started ‘Volunteer Wednesdays’ so students could have an opportunity to volunteer in the community the first two Wednesdays of every month. She played Varsity volleyball and has been a State Speech Qualifier every year. Outside of school, she participated for many years in club volleyball with USA Volleyball and enjoys volunteering in the community. In her free time, she loves to play ping-pong; the card game ‘Phase 10’; work out; travel; hang out with her boyfriend, Carson; and watch her favorite TV series ‘The Office’.

Carissa has been involved in many volunteer activities throughout her high school years. She volunteered at the information desk at Covenant Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, and many, many service activities as part of the school’s campus ministry and Bosco Service Club. She was selected to be in Teen Trust, a teen philanthropic group which is given the responsibility to select how to disperse $10,000 of donated monies to various non-profits who apply for consideration. Because of her various services to the community she was recognized with the Cedar Valley Mayor’s Top Teen Award and was fortunate to receive the Mother Moon Service Scholarship as well.

As Miss Iowa Teen USA 2012, Carissa hopes for a year to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and in doing so, will create memories and gain experience for herself that will last a lifetime.

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