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Local pageant winner seeks to help teens battling depression
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| Recently crowned Miss Black Teen Texas USA 2009 Nicole Hickl (left) receives hugs from last year's winner. |
By DIANE TEZENO
Nicole Hickl won more than a crown on Nov. 16 when the Stafford resident was crowned Miss Black Teen Texas USA 2009.
The 18-year-old gained a chance to shine the spotlight on teen depression, a subject very personal to her.
Drawn to pageants by the glitz and glam, Hickl said she soon realized that the pageant experience was much more.
“They give you a voice to help people and make an impact in the world,” Hickl said.
The Stafford teen plans to use her voice to raise awareness of teen depression to help other young people dealing with the disease.
On the surface it would be hard to tell Hickl went through a dark period in her life, but during her freshman year as a student at Dulles High School she began suffering from depression and began exhibiting self-destructive behavior.
“At home, I would get into arguments with my grandparents and would lock myself in my room to hide the depression I was going through,” Hickl said.
“I tried to keep my depression a secret because I was embarrassed of the marks I put on my body and felt like there was no way out of this disease.”
Hickl believes that the most common misconception about depression is that it is only a physical illness.
“Depression is not always a physical thing, it can be mental.” Hickl said.
“People think that you cut yourself or commit suicide. Everyone has faced a hard time in their life, but they don't physically take it out on themselves, so that is not the only part of depression.”
Some of the common signs of depression include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in participation in hobbies and activities and feelings of persistent sadness lasting more than a few weeks and are often overlooked as normal teen behavior, according to the National Center for Health and Wellness website.
“Depression is a ‘serious emotional disturbance that is more than just being ‘sad.’ It is a prolonged feeling beyond the sufferer’s control that can be caused by several factors including a chemical imbalance, personality type or bad life experiences,” read an excerpt from the site.
As many as one in eight teenagers is affected by depression, but less than a quarter of who suffer each year receive appropriate treatment, according to the center.
A former member of Kickstart, a nationwide middle school and high school–based martial arts program started by Chuck Norris, Hickl credits her coach’s involvement and encouragement in her life with helping her to combat her three-month bout with depression.
“Thanks to the program, I was able to push through all the pressures and issues and get back on track and lead a happier, healthier life,” Hickl said.
The Dulles freshman’s grades went up and she began winning karate competitions.
Encouraged by her dramatic turn-a-round, the teen’s karate instructor encouraged her to share her testimony at one of the team’s belt ceremonies.
“After the audience heard my speech everyone was in tears. I never realized how touching my battle through depression was,” Hickl said of the experience.
That night Hickl accepted an invitation to mentor a girl suffering from depression who was present at the ceremony.
Since that time, Hickl, who the girl calls her “hero,” has been sharing her battle with depression with other teens.
During her year-long reign Miss Black Teen Texas USA, Hickl will continue sharing her testimony.
“I plan to serve as a mentor for teens suffering with depression and be a motivational speaker by continuing to share my story. Being able to see someone who has gone through it and is better, can be a big help for anyone going through depression,” Hickl said.
The former Dulles High School student, now a college freshman at University of St. Thomas in Houston, is still in shock at her win.
When they called the name of the first runner up, Hickl said she knew she had won.
“My dreams had finally come true,” Hickl said of the experience.
The Stafford teen, also named Miss Cover Girl, Miss Congeniality and Director’s Award Fundraiser, had been preparing for the competition since June.
“Competing in pageants has made me realize that once you set a goal for yourself you can achieve it. I set the goal to be Miss Black Teen Texas USA in 2007, but it was not in the plans for me to win the title then. I rolled up my sleeves and worked harder to better my performance and the next year I achieved my goal,” Hickl said.
The Fort Bend resident encourages other teens to compete in pageants, not merely for a crown or title.
“You still win with the experience you have, the people you meet, the doors that are opened for you. Plus the confidence you gain and leadership skills acquired are qualities that will last a lifetime,” Hickl said.
Her goal for the future is to obtain a degree in communications, with a minor in accounting, so that she and a cousin can expand their grandfather’s accounting business.
“ I also have future goals of being on the Houston City Council, in the Senate, and may be even President of the United States,” Hickl said.
“The possibilities are endless.”
The 18-year-old gained a chance to shine the spotlight on teen depression, a subject very personal to her.
Drawn to pageants by the glitz and glam, Hickl said she soon realized that the pageant experience was much more.
“They give you a voice to help people and make an impact in the world,” Hickl said.
The Stafford teen plans to use her voice to raise awareness of teen depression to help other young people dealing with the disease.
On the surface it would be hard to tell Hickl went through a dark period in her life, but during her freshman year as a student at Dulles High School she began suffering from depression and began exhibiting self-destructive behavior.
“At home, I would get into arguments with my grandparents and would lock myself in my room to hide the depression I was going through,” Hickl said.
“I tried to keep my depression a secret because I was embarrassed of the marks I put on my body and felt like there was no way out of this disease.”
Hickl believes that the most common misconception about depression is that it is only a physical illness.
“Depression is not always a physical thing, it can be mental.” Hickl said.
“People think that you cut yourself or commit suicide. Everyone has faced a hard time in their life, but they don't physically take it out on themselves, so that is not the only part of depression.”
Some of the common signs of depression include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in participation in hobbies and activities and feelings of persistent sadness lasting more than a few weeks and are often overlooked as normal teen behavior, according to the National Center for Health and Wellness website.
“Depression is a ‘serious emotional disturbance that is more than just being ‘sad.’ It is a prolonged feeling beyond the sufferer’s control that can be caused by several factors including a chemical imbalance, personality type or bad life experiences,” read an excerpt from the site.
As many as one in eight teenagers is affected by depression, but less than a quarter of who suffer each year receive appropriate treatment, according to the center.
A former member of Kickstart, a nationwide middle school and high school–based martial arts program started by Chuck Norris, Hickl credits her coach’s involvement and encouragement in her life with helping her to combat her three-month bout with depression.
“Thanks to the program, I was able to push through all the pressures and issues and get back on track and lead a happier, healthier life,” Hickl said.
The Dulles freshman’s grades went up and she began winning karate competitions.
Encouraged by her dramatic turn-a-round, the teen’s karate instructor encouraged her to share her testimony at one of the team’s belt ceremonies.
“After the audience heard my speech everyone was in tears. I never realized how touching my battle through depression was,” Hickl said of the experience.
That night Hickl accepted an invitation to mentor a girl suffering from depression who was present at the ceremony.
Since that time, Hickl, who the girl calls her “hero,” has been sharing her battle with depression with other teens.
During her year-long reign Miss Black Teen Texas USA, Hickl will continue sharing her testimony.
“I plan to serve as a mentor for teens suffering with depression and be a motivational speaker by continuing to share my story. Being able to see someone who has gone through it and is better, can be a big help for anyone going through depression,” Hickl said.
The former Dulles High School student, now a college freshman at University of St. Thomas in Houston, is still in shock at her win.
When they called the name of the first runner up, Hickl said she knew she had won.
“My dreams had finally come true,” Hickl said of the experience.
The Stafford teen, also named Miss Cover Girl, Miss Congeniality and Director’s Award Fundraiser, had been preparing for the competition since June.
“Competing in pageants has made me realize that once you set a goal for yourself you can achieve it. I set the goal to be Miss Black Teen Texas USA in 2007, but it was not in the plans for me to win the title then. I rolled up my sleeves and worked harder to better my performance and the next year I achieved my goal,” Hickl said.
The Fort Bend resident encourages other teens to compete in pageants, not merely for a crown or title.
“You still win with the experience you have, the people you meet, the doors that are opened for you. Plus the confidence you gain and leadership skills acquired are qualities that will last a lifetime,” Hickl said.
Her goal for the future is to obtain a degree in communications, with a minor in accounting, so that she and a cousin can expand their grandfather’s accounting business.
“ I also have future goals of being on the Houston City Council, in the Senate, and may be even President of the United States,” Hickl said.
“The possibilities are endless.”
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