With interests that vary from learning to be a ventriloquist to advocating for children with special needs, Sheridan Garbe, 8, from Arlington, Texas, exemplifies the four points of the crown, even at a young age. Her teachers, coaches, and parents agree that this Lone Star Princess represents scholarship, success, style, and service with a unique enthusiasm that makes her the perfect candidate for fourpoints' 2012 Precious Princess.

Sheridan has been in the Miss Lone Star Princess program for three years, but her goal is to make it to the national pageant where she can share her platform, inclusion, and acceptance of children with Down syndrome, like her little sister Brooke, with a wider audience. In the mean time, Sheridan is advancing her skills in volunteering by making Emily's Smile Boxes to help children and their siblings stay creatively occupied whit in the hospital.

"I love volunteering because you get to help someone and you get to do really fun stuff," Sheridan says.

Sheridan's empathy for children who spend time in the hospital inspired her to share the fun and activities with other young patients. At her birthday party this April, Sheridan decided to forgo the typical cake and ice cream scene to host an Emily's Smile Box building party will all of her friends.

"She (didn't) want gifts, but she wanted to invited the whole second grade to make activity boxes for special needs children," says Sheridan's mother, Lisa Garbe.

Brooke is Sheridan's inspiration on many fronts. Their family formed a Buddy Walk team to raise money for Down syndrome research, and Lisa said Sheridan has no qualms with confronting strangers on the street to recruit more members of their Buddy Walk team. In the three years they have participated in the walk, Sheridan has helped to raise nearly $15,000.

Sheridan is always up for meeting new people and learning about new ways to volunteer, and she compares these new experience to something to which all children can relate.

"You never know, you should always try and wait and see if it's going to be fun or not. The first time I tired broccoli, I didn't want to try it at all. Then I had it, and I loved it. It's really good!" she says.

Sheridan was the winner of the 2012 Precious Princess contest, and her story was featured in fourpoints' June/July 2012 issue. Have a copy of your magazine signed by Sheridan herself when you meet her at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen trade show Tuesday, August 14!