Like most 18-year-old girls, Anastasiya Allen, a summer resident of Sebago, enjoys playing soccer, shopping and hanging out with friends. However, unlike most teenage girls, Allen was just featured in a national magazine.

Allen, a former Miss Teen Maine International, captured the attention of Woman’s World magazine, which ran a double-page spread on the Sebago resident in its Sept. 5 issue. In the issue, the magazine highlighted Allen’s experience as an orphan in Russia and her subsequent interest in adoption advocacy.

Having been adopted at the age of 7, Allen is a passionate spokeswoman for adoption agencies such as Adopt-Us Kids and Maine Adoption Placement Services.

At the age of 5, Anastasiya Allen ran away from her abusive home in Russia and lived the next two years of her life in a Russian orphanage before being told she was going to America.

“I didn’t really know what America was,” said Allen. “I only knew something special was about to happen because I didn’t have to take a nap with the other kids the day my father came.”

Allen remembers meeting her father, Neal Allen, for the first time.

“He gave me a Barbie doll, and I couldn’t believe I had my own toy that I didn’t have to share with anyone,” said Allen.

Equally amazing to Allen was the fact that she had her own room, her own toys and her own clothes.

“In the orphanage we shared everything,” Allen said. “I could not believe the stuffed animals on my new bed were all for me. It was just incredible.”

Allen knows how lucky she is to have been adopted, especially at age 7.

“Most people want to adopt babies,” said Allen. “But there are so many children of all ages that need homes, I wanted to be able to talk to people about my experience and make a difference.”

When Allen heard about the Miss Teen USA International pageant, which is based on platform issues as well as appearance, she knew it was something she had to do.

“I told my parents I wanted to enter this pageant so I could spread the word about adoption,” said Allen. “They were very supportive. My family donated a lot of time and money so I could participate. They knew it was important to me.”

Allen won the title and not only became Miss Teen Maine International, but she also became the spokesperson for adoption agencies across Maine. She has been to Augusta to speak with Gov. John Baldacci about adoption, and in 2005 received a certificate of recognition for her dedication to the adoption process.

“I know I can make a difference by speaking about adoption,” said Allen. “If I can make it easier for one child or one parent, I will be happy.”

Every November during National Adoption Month Allen speaks at the Maine Children’s Museum about her experience.

“I was nervous to speak at first,” Allen said, “but I know people look up to me and I feel I have made a difference just by sharing my story.”

Allen speaks to people around the world about adoption every day. Her e-mail address is given out by A Family for ME adoption agency so that potential parents can ask her what to expect and how to handle adoption.

“I just spoke to someone the other day from Greenland,” said Allen. “She was so thankful that she could ask me questions and prepare for the adoption process.”

This year Allen is a senior at Deering High School and plans to join Lambs for Rams, a community service club at her school. She is also starting to look at colleges where she plans on majoring in social work and interior design.

“I want to do social work so I can help children,” said Allen, “But my heart also belongs to fashion and interior design. I just need to find a school where I can do both.”

Although she plans on focusing most of her attention on school this year, she will still be an advocate for adoption.

“I will always speak about adoption,” said Allen. “I am so grateful for my parents and what they have done for me, and I want people to know how they can make a difference in a child’s life.”

Anastasiya Allen sits in her family’s living room on Capisic Street in Portland. The Sebago summer resident is an advocate for adoption.