Trophy Central is thrilled to announce our latest winner of our “Show Us Your Sue” Random Acts of Trophy-ness award.
Show Us Your Sue peeps: please give a warm welcome to Krystian Leonard, who won a trophy for “Excellence in Inspiring Girls of All Ages To Love Their Bodies and Let Their Inner Beauty Shine.”
Krystian, nominated for the “Show Us Your Sue” award by former “Show Us Your Sue award winner Gomee Girl (who won our Random Acts of Trophy-ness award for “Excellence in Girl Empowerment”) is more than a beauty queen. So much more.
The 19 year old student is an award-winning author and advocate, TEDx Talk speaker, and founder of the non-profit organization Shining S.C.A.R.S. — the acronym standing for Strength, Character, Acceptance, Rise and Stigma — and is dedicated to promoting self-acceptance and helping children rise above the stigma of their scars.
Embracing Confidence with Award-Worthy Self-Esteem
Due to stitches just above her lip, Krystian got her first scar at only four years old. She remembers being embarrassed to smile because of it. At six years old, she got her second scar that ran nine inches down her thigh after having to get a lipoma surgically removed. The surgery didn’t end there. At eleven years old, Krystian developed her third scar — a 5 inch reminder of a potentially dangerous birth mark.
Krystian was bullied because of her scars and suffered from a low self-esteem. Until she decided to embrace who she is and let her inner beauty shine — and inspire others to do the same.
Krystian says, “Shining S.C.A.R.S. shows children how to embrace and love themselves, by sharing positive examples… like Dakota Swiger, a teen who continues to pursue her dreams of being a beauty queen, despite her continued battle with scoliosis and surgeries.”
Krystian hopes to expand the impact of Shining S.C.A.R.S. to all living creatures, battling both physical and emotional scars.
“I see a community that is global, and reaches not only people who are impacted by scars, but also those who are victims of abuse and war. My vision is to expand my idea to incorporate all who are in need of healing, not just people, but animals and resources, all parts of our world and landscape that are scarred due to misuse or natural disaster,” Krystian says in Huffington Post.
Redefining Beauty
Upon winning her “Show Us Your Sue” Random Acts of Trophy-ness award, Krystian took to her Instagram page to say:
So pumped to receive my Random Acts of Trophy-ness Award by Trophy Central, for the #ShowUsYour Sue Award!! Thank you Gomee Girl for the nomination! So humbled to be recognized for: ‘Excellence in Inspiring Girls of all ages to Love their bodies & let their Inner Beauty Shine’!! I truly love my foundation, and sharing my message of self acceptance, especially for those like me with physical scars. We are breaking stereotypes and proving that beauty is more than skin deep! Keep Shining Bright!
You’re so welcome, Krystian! Thank YOU for all you do to help promote self love and positive body image!
Thank you also to everyone who supports Trophy Central’s Random Acts of Trophy-ness #ShowUsYourSue campaign, our feel-good project that recognizes and awards everyday heroes who inspire.
Wondering about our campaign name? It’s inspired by the fictional Sue Heck from The Middle. Sue Heck is our muse. We love her can-do spirit and the fact that she never, EVER gives up! Sue Heck may not be a “winner” in the traditional trophy-giving sphere (athleticism or artistic talent for example) but she makes the world a better place just by being the terrific person she is. And that is what makes a true winner in our eyes.
Do YOU know someone who makes the world a better place simply by being him/herself? Then please nominate this award-worthy person for our Random Acts of Trophy-ness “Show Us Your Sue” award in the comments section below, or on Facebook or Twitter using #ShowUsYourSue. Don’t forget to tell us why you think your nominee deserves a trophy!
