Published at 19:
young, local poet harbors big dreams
WRITTEN BY CANDIS HACKER
Mary Hamblen knows about personal suffering. She struggles
with depression and anxiety on a daily basis. As a means
of purging her "deeply personal" struggle, between the ages of
15 and 18 she wrote poetry. "It's my emotional outlet," Hamblen
said. "It's actually a healing process to get my emotions out
through poetry."
When a friend, Meagan Smith, was
offered a glimpse into Hamblen's dark poetic
reveries, she enjoyed the poetry so much,
she suggested Hamblen publish her work.
Together, Hamblen and Smith made use of a
self-publishing service (www.xlibis.com) and
the poetry is now available to the public in a
collection called Tragedy's Muse.
Tragedy's Muse tells the story of two
doomed lovers.
"Two lovers with issues come together
and in turn, they feed one another's self-
destructive habits," Hamblen explained.
Common themes and images in the poetry
include betrayal, sexual violence, blood,
cutting, death, loneliness, hopelessness
— tragedy. These subjects, according to Hamblen, are reflective
not just of her own struggles, but of her generation as a whole.
"When you look at my generation it is not a very pleasant
generation to be honest with you," Hamblen said. "I know people
who have cut themselves, who have eating disorders — I wanted
people to know that they are not alone. I can easily imagine what
these two characters in the book are going through, trying to overcome
their problems and they can't. I know what that's like."
Despite personal on-going struggles, the publication of her
first book at the age of 19 has enabled Hamblen to dream of a big
future as a writer.
"I would like to be a resounding poet, a generational poet.
I would like to have at least four or five more books published
and reach people, inspire people by my example to do what
they want to do with their lives," Hamblen said. "That would be
awesome."
Leigh Smalley
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL
 Leigh won both the talent and scholastic portions of the Junior
Miss pageant, and was first-runner-up overall. She plays piano,
enjoys baby-sitting, and is a youth-group speaker. She is a
member of numerous honor societies and high school organizations,
including the Varsity Singers Show Choir. She also teaches
Sunday school and sings in the Worship Band and Celebration
Choir at her church. Leigh was given a full Presidential Scholarship
to attend Auburn University.
Why do you think you were nominated? I think that I stand out
as a leader because of my faith first and foremost, and I have
held leadership positions in clubs, and I feel comfortable in
a leadership position.
What makes a good leader? Someone who is sensitive to the
needs of others and will put those needs before his or her
own desires.
What are your long-term goals? To go to medical school and
be a pediatric oncologist, and to spend time overseas doing
mission work. I hope to hold leadership positions in the
future and stay involved in the affairs of the community.
What female leaders do you admire? Condoleezza Rice. She's
very genuine and hard-working and she knows what she
wants.
Who are the biggest influences in your life? My mom, my dad,
and my youth minister, Steve Boston.
How has your mother influenced your life? My mother has taught
me how to go after my goals and handle disappointment with
grace, and when accolades do come, to accept them with
humility. I learned my faith from her and with that comes
setting high standards for myself.
What is your advice to young women? Find yourself in the Lord
and always be true to that. Have good friends who share the
same standards and beliefs that you do because high school
is full of peer pressure. You will need good friends to keep
you accountable.
What is your advice to mothers? Stay involved in your daughter's
life and always be supportive in all of her endeavors.
Abby Steverson
SMITHS STATION
 Abby won the title of Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen and
as a result, was given a full, four-year scholarship to Auburn
University where she will study in the interior design program.
She plays the piano, is a varsity cheerleader, was Homecoming
Queen and is a member of several high school and community
honorary, scholastic and civic organizations. Abby also creates
canvas paintings for children's bedrooms which she sells, and
donates the proceeds to the Auburn University Autism Center.
Why do you think you were nominated? I like to put myself out
there in different organizations. Plus, I am friendly — I have
lots of friends with lots of different interests.
What makes a good leader? Someone who has good listening
skills and is willing to listen to all sides of the story, hear all
opinions and get everyone's input.
What are your long-term goals? I would love to be an interior
designer, have my own firm, get married and have a family—
a long, long time in the future — and I would love to live in
a bigger city.
What female leaders do you admire? Condoleezza Rice. She
has overcome so much in her career. And Oprah — she's the
best. I also admire Candice Olson who has a design program
on Home and Garden Television.
Who are the biggest influences in your life? My mother, my
father and my sister who I call daily for advice. My friends,
a cheerleading coach that instilled hard work in me and Mrs.
Lowther, an English teacher. She was the toughest English
teacher I've ever had and she influenced me to work hard.
How has your mother influenced your life? My mother has
instilled very strong morals and values and has taught me to
never settle for anything less than my best.
What is your advice to young women? Be true to yourself. If
you have strong morals and values, you will be O.K. And
choose your friends wisely.
What is your advice to mothers? Instill morals and values into
your children but allow them to make their own decisions
as far as what they want to do with their lives, and what
activities they want to be involved in. Help them to be the
people they want to be.
Somyr Stephens
OPELIKA HIGH SCHOOL
 Somyr is a pitcher and plays first base on the OHS softball team.
She was the Miss OHS runner-up, is the cheerleading captain,
and is a member of several high school and community honorary,
scholastic and civic organizations. She travels to Honduras every
year with her church on a medical mission trip. Somyr will
attend the University of Alabama in the Fall where she received
a full scholarship and was accepted to the college of nursing.
Why do you think you were nominated? I try to always be there
for the people I am representing and I try to compromise.
What makes a good leader? Someone who knows what to do in
tough situations, is always a role model, and you can't be
selfish. You have to be willing to let your guard down and
help someone else. A leader is the one who compromises
conflict.
What are your long-term goals? Medical school. I want to be an
anesthesiologist, learn fluent Spanish, and go to third world
countries to help with their medical care.
What female leaders do you admire? Jennie Finch — a
professional Softball pitcher. She brought pink back to
the sport which I think is a good way to represent the sport,
instead of the other, more masculine image of the sport.
Who are the biggest influences in your life? My mom, my
whole family in general, my coaches and all the adult
leaders in my life.
How has your mother influenced your life? She has always
been my best friend, she has always been there for me, she
has always been a good role model and someone I can look
up to.
What is your advice to young women? To never give up on
themselves. The males get more attention (like in football)
but keep on trying and it all will work out. If you don't
believe in yourself, no one will.
What is your advice to mothers? Always be a good role model
to your kids. Even if you think they are not watching, they
are. And pay attention to every word you say.
Austill Barrett
LEE SCOTT ACADEMY
 Austill was named Homecoming Queen and Miss Lee Scott
Academy. She plays tennis, basketball and volleyball, is a
cheerleader and a member of several high school and community
honorary, scholastic and civic organizations. Each year, she
travels with her church to Mexico, where they build houses for
the less fortunate. She is currently trying to decide where to
attend college, and has narrowed her choices to the University of
Mississippi, Furman University, and the University of Georgia.
Why do you think you were nominated? My principal told
me that I was nominated because I was Miss Lee Scott
Academy.
What makes a good leader? Someone who sets a good example
for everyone else. Someone who leads by example.
What are your long-term goals? Graduate from college and be
a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
What female leaders do you admire? Condoleezza Rice
because she is very well spoken and has huge authority
and a big voice in this country. And, she is from Alabama
and has worked her way from Alabama to the White House.
Who are the biggest influences in your life? My mom and my
Bible study leader in junior high taught me a lot. She's an
incredible person and someone I would love to grow up to
be like. And also, my sister Chandler and Steve Bass, my
youth minister.
How has your mother influenced your life? She taught me to
have high moral standards. I got my Christian background
from mom and dad. She has been my tennis coach and has
kept me motivated to keep up my grades.
What is your advice to young women? Keep your high moral
standards that your parents have taught you, and don't let
your grades slack just because your social life becomes
important. And be friends with everybody — don't stick to
a click.
What is your advice to mothers? Be there for your daughter
but don't push her too hard because she has a lot of things
going on in high school. And be her friend when she needs
a friend and be a parent when she needs a parent.
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