A'Leah Burrell

A’Leah Nicole Burrell is a resident of Yorktown, Virginia. She is the 12-year-old daughter of Minister and Mrs. Jeffrey and Catina Burrell. She has two brothers (Shane and Jeffrey Jr.) and one sister (Taylor). A’Leah is the reigning Miss Hampton Roads Outstanding Preteen.

At the age of six, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She is currently a member of Rising Sun Baptist Church in Yorktown, Virginia. A’Leah is not only active in her church, where she sings with the Youth Choir and praise dances, but she is also active in the community.

A’Leah is committed to the fight to find a cure for Cancer. She has established “C³: Combating for a Cancer Cure.” Through C³, A’Leah raises money through fundraisers to benefit cancer research. She is a member of the 2009 Relay for Life team "Every Lump Found Should Not Be Ignored." A'Leah has also raised money for other organizations to include Children’s Miracle Network, Operation Smile and the Leukemia Society.

A’Leah also gives back to the community through her God-given talents. She and her sister Taylor have established “Sister Act – Healing Hearts Through the Arts”. Together they go to area nursing homes and children’s hospitals to perform. She also volunteers with the Down Syndrome Association of Hampton Roads. Her most recent project is “Yes, we can! Helping Children with Down Syndrome Succeed!” Through this program she is establishing dance classes specific to children with Down Syndrome.

A'Leah is a 7th grade student at Grafton Middle School in Grafton, Virginia, where she enjoys Science and teen living. While A'Leah's immediate goal is to attend the Governor's School for the Arts and continue her training in dance, her future goal is to attend college and study to become a pediatrician.