Every pageant contestant has a platform. You know, that special cause contestants choose to support, usually to help their community, town or state. It is a noble assignment designed to give judges a glimpse into the character of the contestant as well as do some good in the world, but it can be a very tedious process and an important decision for the contestant.

Miss Rexburg Ourstanding Teen – Annie Barton

Fortunately, for Operation Underground Railroad, 16-year-old Annie Barton knew the moment she was asked to represent Rexburg, Idaho as Outstanding Teen, exactly what “cause” she would choose. “When I was trying to pick a platform for the pageant I went over to my neighbor’s house who is an O.U.R. volunteer. She showed me videos and talked to me about O.U.R. It was an easy choice to make. My platform is BREAK THE CHAIN with O.U.R.”

Miss Rexburg Outstanding Teen Raising Funds for O.U.R.

As a result, Annie is doing everything she can to bring awareness to the plight of enslaved children around the world. “This summer I helped organize a community humanitarian project for orphans in foreign countries, but my favorite part about holding this title is helping others become more aware of human trafficking. I also help set up and run a Farmer’s Market stand on Fridays in our community that raises money and awareness about O.U.R. and I’m going to help with our local “Run to Break the Chain” Fundraiser in September.”

Wearing the sash and crown gives Annie an extra boost of confidence to talk to people about what she has such a passion for. “It gives me confidence to go outside my comfort zone and reach out. Because of this title I’ve opened a few more eyes to the need to help stop human trafficking. I’m just one person in a small town in Idaho. Sometimes it feels like, ‘What can I really do to help?’ I guess if everyone felt this way then no one would do anything. I wish I could reach many more people than I have, but through my platform and different events I attend, I share the message one person at a time.”

Shakespeare famously wrote, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em (Twelfth Night: Act 11, Scene 5, page 7). In Annie’s case, it was the latter. Her hometown of 30,000 did not actually hold a pageant for her to compete in, but rather asked if she would represent them at the state level. Thus the title of Miss Rexburg Outstanding Teen was thrust upon her. “I wish I could say I had earned this title, but I guess I was just lucky enough to be asked,” Barton said.

In preparing to compete at the state level in October, Annie is practicing voice, learning more about how to respond during interviews, and working on physical fitness. “I love to sing. I’ve been singing since I was ten years old. I found a beautiful song by Francesca Battistelli called Angel by Your Side. I picked this song because the lyrics describe all the abolitionists trying to free these children.”

Miss Rexburg Outstanding Teen Sharing Her Talents

Everywhere she goes Annie is promoting help for these enslaved children that she is so passionate about freeing. “One day, if I were able to wrap my arms around a trafficked child that was recently rescued by O.U.R., I think I would look into their eyes and tell them that God loves them, I love them, and I wish for them to find a place of peace and hope.”

All of us at O.U.R. wish Annie well as she competes in Boise, Idaho for the state title and are extremely grateful to her for choosing Operation Underground Railroad to help Break the Chain.

Written by: Cheryl L. Karr