Teen's bookmarks have
their place: Raising money for
cancer research

She got the idea, she said, after seeing sick children on television. "I wanted to help," she said. Davis, now 13, has since sold 1,500 bookmarks, raising $5,000 for the Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research Inc. The money goes to pediatric cancer research programs at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami.

"My mom has encouraged me a lot," Davis said about what has grown into the Web site www.markourwords.org, which helps her sell the bookmarks to raise money for cancer research.

The Greenacres resident found out about Papanicolaou Corps, a volunteer-run nonprofit group, from her mom Carol, who learned about Pap Corps at Wycliffe Golf and Country Club, where she works as a membership assistant. The idea of selling bookmarks took off as soon as Davis called the organization. "I think things happen for a reason," Carol Davis said.

Each marker is made with a piece of construction paper, markers, stickers, glue and laminate sheets. It takes about 10 minutes to make each one, Davis said. She makes an average of 10 bookmarks a week. "I like seeing the looks on people's faces when they get it," she said. When Davis isn't making bookmarks, she is playing sports or swimming. She's also on her school's seventh- and eighth-grade volleyball team, and she plays the flute for her school band.

Davis dreams of becoming a crime scene investigator or a veterinarian. At age 6, she pretended that she was investigating crimes and would try to get fingerprints. And, Davis said she loves animals. She has two cats named Mia and Tiger.

As for her bookmark-making success, Davis has set an ambitious goal of raising $1 million. In January, Davis and her mom presented the center with a $1,200 check and she got a tour of the center.

She received a "thank you" plaque from the Papanicolaou Corps in June, and she's been inspired ever since. "It made me want to do even more bookmarks," Davis said.

What's your favorite movie? Gentle Ben II. -- What's your favorite book? The Cay, by Theodore Taylor. -- What's the best advice you've ever been given? "To follow my dreams." -- What's the most unusual thing you own? She has an autographed photo of Miley Cyrus, who stars in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. She said she saw her in concert. "She's my favorite," she said. -- Who has been your biggest mentor? My mom. She encourages me to follow my dreams."