Seventeen-year old Alessandra Torres lives with her parents in Potomac, Maryland. Born in Germany to Puerto Rican parents, she has lived in Germany, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, and now Maryland. In her own words, she seeks to live everyday to the fullest and take advantage of every opportunity that life presents, always trying to surpass mediocrity and strive for excellence.

Alessandra has spent her entire life dealing with challenges and labels that have been out of her control. At the age of five, she woke up one day to find that her father was gone. After attending three different elementary schools, she was diagnosed as dyslexic in the first grade. In the second grade, she was told that she had a speech impediment and that she was a very poor reader. In the fifth grade, her mother was told that if Alessandra worked hard enough she might be able to be a C student. Despite all these challenges and labels, she never allowed them to dictate who she was or who she would become.

Currently, a senior at Bullis High School, Alessandra loves to dance, sing, act, write and travel. She has undertaken a very rigorous academic schedule, which has included many honors and Advanced Placement courses. Currently she is the President of her school's National Honor Society, the Captain of the cheerleading squad, a member of the Conduct Review Board, and Founder and President of the Spanish Club.

Alessandra's love for children had her seeking out other ways to become involved within her community. For the past two years she has choreographed 5th grade musicals, and for the past three years she has served as Student Director for middle school musicals. Another rewarding experience for her is the trips that she makes every month to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, to spend time with the sick and injured American soldiers. For her the children that she works with and the soldiers that she meets serve as a source of great inspiration and motivation.

Continuing with her desire to encourage others to live life to the fullest, one of Alessandra's greatest achievements has been serving as a motivational speaker for the Jr. National Young Leaders Conference, where she has spoken to over 400 high achieving middle school students from across the country on such topics as leadership and social responsibility.

After she graduates next spring, Alessandra plans to attend college and pursue a degree in mass communications. Ultimately, she wants to publish a self-help motivational magazine for teens.

As of right now, however, she is extremely excited to represent Maryland at the national 2005 MISS TEEN USA pageant in August, and is looking forward to the many wonderful experiences that lay a head.