On February 26, 2026, Morning Star Rotary welcomed high school junior Lydia Peters, Miss MidState's Teen 2026. Lydia is a 17-year-old competitive pageant participant, author, and mental health advocate. She discussed her book "Ranger's Proudly Sad" and her upcoming book tour focused on promoting mental health awareness, particularly among children. She shared her personal experiences with grief and depression, emphasizing the importance of open conversations about suicide and mental health. Lydia also highlighted the role of social media in influencing young minds and suggested age-appropriate content restrictions and parental involvement in monitoring children's online activities. She expressed her commitment to advocating for mental health resources in schools and shared her plans to collaborate with organizations like NAMI and the Shanti Project organization to further this cause. Lydia plans to attend a four-year school in Philadelphia, major in child psychology, and compete in the Miss America Opportunity Program, where she currently represents the Central Pennsylvania area as Miss MidState's Teen.
CLICK HERE for additional information about Lydia and her mental health advocacy.