NAM Wisconsin Junior Pre-teen Gives the Gift of Life through her Promotion of Organ Donation Awareness

Our reigning National American Miss Wisconsin Junior Pre-teen is no ordinary girl. After losing her father in a car accident just prior to her birth, Erica Barlament has made it her mission to allow her father's memory and unselfish nature to live on. 

She has also helped to continue to give the gift of life by promoting organ donation awareness. This is something her father did throughout his own lifetime. “Don’t put it off, because you might not be here tomorrow. You never know what might happen.” That’s something Erica’s Father would often tell her mother Kari, urging her to sign up for organ and tissue donation, “just in case.”

Despite the loss of a loving father and husband, in time, Erica Barlament, along with her mother Kari, were determined to make something positive come from this horrible tragedy. Something that would carry on more than just Eric’s name. They have done just that.

Erica has done an outstanding job promoting organ donation awareness and, as a result, has helped to continue to give the gift of life to those in need of organ donation. Working passionately to carry on his legacy of giving, Erica had the privilege of decorating the donate life float in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade, held in Pasadena, California this past year. 

                                                                                                                                                             Erica and her mother Kari were also asked to speak at the Donate Life gala, where Erica was honored to give her National Spokesmodel winning speech, and to introduce the tournament of roses queen and court—all of this, in front of 514 people! What a confident and fearless young leader she is! She inspired many people to make a difference by becoming organ donors, and even received a standing ovation.

Erica plans to give as many speeches as possible, to promote the importance of organ and tissue donation as much as she can throughout her reign as our National American Miss Wisconsin Junior Pre-teen. Erica believes that the power of positive energy is contagious and it only takes one person to make a big difference in someone’s life. She is right. Just look at what an inspiration she herself has been to so many!

To learn more about Erica’s impact on the organ donation community, click here to read the article featured in The Brillion News about all of Erica's heartfelt volunteer efforts. Or, hear Erica herself tell you about her passion for spreading organ donation awareness: