Captivating and transparent, Living Proof follows a dramatic passage from darkness into light. Through a series of specifically arranged poems, readers are guided through a story of hope, truth, and ultimately triumph over hardship. Sierra Nickel has won numerous accolades and awards with her poetry, essays, and short stories in contests including the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering Contest and in the Southwest Texas College Creative Arts Contest. She has twice placed in The Daughters of the Republic of Texas essay contest and in a Young Finances Essay contest for The First State Bank of Uvalde. Sierra has also placed in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association in poetry interpretation, creative writing, and short story categories. Besides writing, Sierra enjoys riding horses, hanging out with family and friends, spending time with her two fur babies, Patch and Cooper, singing, and driving her minibike and go-kart. She is also a 4-H member and is currently working on launching her own business. Sierra is a freshman in high school, and has participated in her school's cross country team since sixth grade. Sierra lives in Uvalde, Texas, with her parents, two younger siblings, and ten-year-old goldfish.