Meet Leigh-Taylor Smith

Leigh-Taylor Smith is a 22-year old graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Leigh-Taylor now makes her home in Manhattan where she is employed by Scott Sanders LLC, an interior design firm, as an assistant designer. Competing as Miss Brooklyn at the Miss New York Pageant in July, Leigh-Taylor was a preliminary winner of Physical Fitness in Swimsuit and also took a preliminary Evening Wear award on her way to the state title. Following her year of service as Miss New York 2008, she will use her scholarship winnings to pursue a Masters Degree in Interior Design at The Parsons School of Design in New York City and eventually become the owner of her own interior design firm.

While being an accomplished singer and thespian, with a long theatrical resume, Leigh-Taylor’s greatest passion is promoting volunteering that changes lives. She created and lobbied for the successful passage of Virginia Senate Bill 751 (relating to a community service high school diploma seal) with members of the Virginia General Assembly. Leigh-Taylor traveled to Africa in 2005 to teach children and adults about HIV/AIDS, and returned there in 2006 to volunteer for the Salvation Army. She helped establish a church in Belize City, Belize, has tutored children, donated 36 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, and with her team raised $58,000 for the 2008 AIDS Walk in New York. Leigh-Taylor has appeared with Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, and was honored to sit at the head table with the Governor of New York, David A. Paterson, when he addressed the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in July.

In addition to encouraging people everywhere to participate in community service, Miss New York will also share the inspiring message of the Children’s Miracle Network, which provides state-of-the-art care, life-saving research and preventative education for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Miss New York also appears on behalf of "Right Decisions Right Now," a program which helps students make good choices in their personal lives, with particular focus on the perils of smoking, underage drinking and drug use.