What started out as a simple quest to augment her scholarship opportunities, ended with Sierra Drimak’s life being sent in a totally unforeseen direction. Sierra’s plan to graduate from Francis Howell Central (FHC) High School and go to the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC) like a “normal” teenager now takes a path that only 50 girls each year will ever see as she was crowned Miss Missouri Teen USA 2009 on the evening of November 2nd, 2008 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in Springfield, Missouri. Needless to say, Sierra is anything but a “normal” teenager as it can plainly be seen from her unusual upbringing.

Sierra has only been living the American lifestyle since the summer of 2006 when she and her family moved to Cottleville after a seven year stint on the island of Penang in Malaysia. As any girl can attest to, starting in a new high school in the middle of the 4 year program is a hurdle very few would have even dared to think of overcoming. However, she defied the odds and, in usual form, excelled where others would fail. In less than two years, Sierra quickly adapted to the American school system to rank in the top 5% of her class, became a National Honor Society member, and a lifetime Areté member. In addition to her proficiency in academics, she thrives in athletics and leadership, where she is a two time captain of the FHC swim team and Spartan of the Year for swimming. Only knee surgery could keep her off the track team. Her transformation into a full blooded American was complete as she was on homecoming court as a senior and dates an ice hockey star.

Her ability to quickly adapt and succeed at whatever she does can be attributed to her family’s reliance on each other and team work as they set out to conquer the globe. While living in Malaysia, Sierra attended two accredited British International schools, where her success was not the least bit smaller in magnitude. Academically, she was at the top of her class and athletically, she was the two time reigning Penang state high jump gold medal winner and current record holder for her age group. Sierra racked up countless medals and records in the annual Federation of British International Schools of South and East Asia (FOBISSEA) in track and swimming held in various countries throughout Southeast Asia.

Prior to living in Malaysia, Sierra spent a year in Interlaken, Switzerland attending a Swiss school the entire year, learning Swiss German and eventually becoming her parents’ translator at age 6! She has already completed all the German classes that FHC had to offer. True to form, mom and dad put her on skis, only to find that Sierra was a natural on the snow. To her Swiss hosts, Sierra had become one of them, something that not all foreigners can claim.
However, this girl is anything but a school and sport tool, and she took every advantage to see and enjoy the world during her family’s various living situations. She was lucky enough to experience places on the planet that few could ever dream of. Sierra’s on her third passport and has been from the top of the Swiss Alps to the coral reefs in the Maldives. Her adventures have taken her to England, Scotland, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, and Brunei. While many of the trips were purely for pleasure on crystal clear water beaches with coral reefs full of fish and shopping galore, several excursions were for education. Sierra’s exposure to the varied cultures and customs of the world gives her a unique outlook on life and allows her to express opinions from different points of view.

Besides the continuous backing of her parents, Lynn and Ed, Sierra’s main support is her best friend and younger sister, Mara. The two girls have been side by side in their many changes in lifestyle. They’ve lived through the real life reality show, “Culture Shock”. They’ve had to play this game several times over the past 10 years and have only been able to win because they were there for each other. They have found that it’s the darkest of times when friendship, trust, and love flourish and hope to pass this knowledge on to all they encounter.

This pageant was Sierra’s first experience with anything of the like. In fact, at registration, she commented to an ever supporting mother, “I don’t belong here.” Well, she soon changed that tune as she was crowned, winning additional awards for Miss Congeniality and the highest swimsuit score. Sierra plans to fulfill her reign as Miss Missouri Teen USA to the fullest while completing her senior year and continuing on to UMKC to pursue a degree in Biology in preparation for dental school. Somehow, Sierra also finds time to hold a job at Abercrombie, to keep in touch with her friends from all over the world, including 20 or so new ones from the pageant, to go shopping with her mom, sister, and friends, and to take in every hockey game. Instead of being worn down by all the activity, Sierra plans on becoming even stronger.

As Miss Missouri Teen USA, Sierra plans to raise the bar for all future crown wearers and bring nothing but pride and respect to the title. Watch Sierra go for the title in the Miss Teen USA pageant in late 2009.

Photo Credit: Jim Grillot