Outstanding teen helps at-risk children succeed in life

Carley Ryckman Beauty queens are often known for having a desire "to bring peace to the whole world," since their answers to pageant questions often include those words.

In Thousand Oaks, a young woman and pageant winner not only has the desire, she turns it into action to improve life for atrisk children.

"I feel I am very fortunate, and it's very important to me to help others less fortunate," said Carley Ryckman, Miss Santa Barbara County's Outstanding Teen.

The 16yearold took the Outstanding Teen title in October in a competition with about 10 other young women from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties during a pageant associated with the Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant. She will compete for the state title in June in Fresno. If she's crowned she'll go on to compete for the national title in Orlando, Fla., in August.

"More important than the title is I want to help at-risk children achieve their goals and choose the right paths," Ryckman said.

The Oaks Christian High School junior has already used her title to help raise about $1,000 for the nonprofit group the Dream Fund Outreach, she said.

The North Ranch resident said she has been helping the fund since she was about 8 years old, when she organized a drive to collect books and school supplies at her elementary school.

"We got hundreds of books and school supplies to help children who needed them," Ryckman said.

She continued to help the organization and saw the difference having the school supplies made in the lives of very-low-income children, she said.

"I will never forget the way one little boy's eyes lit up when we went to his school to help him learn art," she said.

The boy had been designated as academically challenged. After he received the donated art supplies and volunteer time, Ryckman could see for herself how determined he was to succeed, she said.

After that, she got another idea, and the new Peace Builder program began. Through it, rather than the children merely being given books and school supplies, they earn the means to buy their own through good behavior and helping others. Small gift stores are opened at schools with high numbers of at-risk children. The only currency accepted at the stores are Dream Dollars, which students earn by doing good deeds.

"We work to develop talents, character and self-esteem," Ryckman said.

Ryckman, who hopes to be a teacher someday, also organizes teacher appreciation luncheons to reward teachers who take on extra work, such as tutoring students one-on-one before or after school or during lunch.

"These kids are tomorrow's future. I really want to help them to stay off the streets and away from drugs," Ryckman said.

To donate to the Dream Fund Outreach, send a check to Carley's Fundraising Drive, P.O. Box 4767, Westlake Village, CA 91359.