MRS. USA SHARES LIFE OF PROBLEMS

Sheri Rose Shepherd is familiar with experiences of students at Mid-America Teen Challenge.

Shepherd, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and 1994-95 Mrs. United States of America, was guest speaker during the 11th annual Teen Challenge Fund-Raising Banquet Friday night at the Show Me Center.

Shepherd never attended a Teen Challenge Center, but life hasn't always been one of fulfillment and happiness for the 34-year-old wife and mother.

"My mother was a former beauty queen, my father was a disc jockey. They were always arguing, and my brother started me on drugs when I was 9," she said.

Shepherd told the crowd of more than 700 people that between the ages of 9 and 16 she was constantly on drugs, depressed and often contemplated suicide.

"And I was fat," she said. "I had to hire my girlfriend's brother to take me to the junior prom."

Shepherd, now a motivational speaker and Christian evangelist, said her life started changing when her parents broke up and her father remarried.

"My stepmother helped shape my life," said Shepherd. "She said she would help me if I would give up drugs and find new friends."

Shepherd, who at 5-foot-6 weighed 175 pounds, lost 40 pounds between her junior and senior years in high school."

Living by the rules set down by her stepmother, a transformation took place, and Sheri Rose became a 5-foot-6, 125-pound beauty.

But when she was 21, she developed a different eating problem -- bulimia.

She finally beat the problem, and at 25 married Steven Shepherd. The two now have a 6-year-old son, Jacob. All are models: Steven Shepherd does Nike promotions, Jacob is featured in ads for Safeguard soap and Sheri Rose is a spokesmodel for nutritional products.

She is also author of a cookbook, "Here's to Your Health, America." and a biography of her life, "Challenging You to Excellence."

Shepherd said she accepted God in life at the age of 24, when she last contemplated suicide.

After her marriage, the opportunity came to enter the Mrs. Untied States Pageant -- she previously had been Miss San Diego and Miss Idaho -- and her husband encouraged her to go for it.

She became Mrs. Arizona, and on July 16, 1994, was crowned Mrs. United States of America, 1994-95. Her reign ended last August, but she continues to tell her story to churches, women's groups, and Teen Challenge Centers. She is scheduled to appear at the National Teen Challenge Conference Aug. 2-5 at Springfield, Mo.

Shepherd was one of two speakers during Friday's banquet. Mike Roussell, a 1993 Mid-America Teen Challenge graduate and now a student at Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., returned to tell how his life has changed.

"I was a user of drugs and alcohol," he told the crowd. "But, at Teen Challenge, I had an opportunity to accept God and how to use the word of God.

The Rev. Jack Smarth, executive director of Teen Challenge, served as master of ceremonies.

The banquet is one of Teen Challenge's main fund-raisers. Currently under way also is the Teen Challenge Capital Campaign for major improvements to the Teen Challenge campus. To date, $297,540 of the $500,000 capital goal has been raised.

During the banquet, a Teen Challenge student choir, The New Creations, entertained. The New Creations tour a 17-state area.