Calli Brielle McLean, 2010 Junior Miss Greater Sandhills, was was diagnosed with food allergies at six months of age. She is allergic to peanut and dairy products.

McLean, who will be representing the Greater Sandhills area at the North Carolina's Outstanding Little Miss state competition on July 17, at Louisburg College, has chosen food allergy awareness as her community service platform.

During Food Allergy Awareness Week, McLean gave a presentation to Episcopal Day School on how to be a "PAL" which stands for "Protect a Life."

This is a program which is designed to help teach children how to keep their friends with food allergies safe.

She also gave a PowerPoint presentation to the first and third grades at EDS and then presented PAL Hero awards to recognize four teachers who have helped her manage her food allergies and others at the school.

One out of 25 children has food allergies. McLean has learned to adapt to her dietary needs and hopes to encourage other children who feel "singled out" when they can't eat a particular food.

"For instance, if there is an ice cream party at school, instead of eating ice cream, Calli eats sorbet," says a spokesman.

Other than pageantry, McLean enjoys singing, dancing and acting with Moore OnStage and the local theater group, The Playhouse.