Lacey Fields has had an exciting year. In addition to attending classes at San Marcos Academy and completing all of the rites of passage that accompanies being a senior, she fulfilled the commitments to her crown as Texas Teen Miss Heart of the USA.
Created by Ciera and Chase Ingram, the Heart of the USA pageant is a national scholarship program focusing on volunteerism and community service.
“It has been an honor and a privilege serving as the 2022 Texas Teen Miss Heart of the USA,” Fields said. “I have proudly worn my sash and crown while bringing awareness of food insecurity across the state. I was fortunate enough to have met so many new friends and traveled to various communities. Whether it was collecting canned goods, raising money or providing food for disabled veterans, I was truly humbled by each experience.”
As Texas is one of nine states with higher- than-average food insecurity with one in eight Texans not having access to enough healthy food, Fields endeavored to raise awareness about this issue around the state.
“Children, elderly, underserved veterans, people with disabilities and working families all suffer from food insecurity,” Fields said. “We live in this great state. My hope is not just to be effective here in our own communities, but to fight food insecurity throughout our nation.”
In order to accomplish this, Fields served with the Daughters of the American Revolution Project Patriot to sponsor and organize holiday meals for veterans.
“I raised funds to sponsor and put together holiday meals for twelve veterans and their families through the VA Adopt a Veteran program,” Fields said. “It was so rewarding to purchase the food, wrap it in a festive bag and write each family a heartfelt note.”
Now that Fields’ yearlong term as Texas Teen Miss Heart of the USA has ended, she expressed gratitude to her family and her Mom for helping with her projects throughout the year. “Thank you to my mom for always demonstrating kindness, wisdom, and grace. You encourage me more than you will ever know,” Fields said.
Fields also thanked Ciera Ingram for the opportunity and bid congratulations to her successor, Ariyana Graham, who she crowned in Waco as the 2023 Texas Teen Miss Heart of the USA.
"My hope is not just to be effective here in our own communities, but to fight food insecurity throughout our nation."
— Lacey Fields, Texas Teen Miss Heart of the USA
