ELIZABETH SAWATZKY IS A MODEL AND WRITER BORN IN WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA AND RAISED IN THE MOUNTAINS OF BETHEL, NORTH CAROLINA. ELIZABETH ATTRIBUTES MUCH OF HER SPIRITED AND COMPASSIONATE PERSONALITY TO THE LAND THAT NURTURED HER. AS A YOUNG GIRL, SHE POURED OVER TEEN VOGUE MAGAZINES RECREATING THE LOOKS. ELIZABETH LOVED THE FREEDOM SHE FELT FROM EXPRESSING HERSELF THROUGH FASHION AND DREAMED OF BECOMING A MODEL, BUT SUCH ASPIRATIONS SEEMED OUT OF REACH IN HER SMALL RURAL TOWN. A COUPLE YEARS LATER THAT DREAM BECAME A REALITY WHEN SHE SUBMITTED HER PHOTOS ONLINE AND WON A NATIONAL FREE PEOPLE OPEN-CALL CONTEST, FLYING TO NYC TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY GUY AROCH AND MENTORED BY ERIN WASSON DAYS BEFORE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL. SOON AFTER, SHE MOVED TO LOS ANGELES WHERE SHE BEGAN WORKING AS A MODEL FULL-TIME. ELIZABETH HAS KEPT A JOURNAL SINCE AGE 7 AND HAS DOCUMENTED HER LIFE THROUGH THIS MEDIUM INTO ADULTHOOD WHEN SHE BEGAN EXPRESSING HERSELF THROUGH SHORT PROSE AND POETRY. THROUGH POETRY, SHE DEPICTS HER STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND EXPANDS UPON THEMES SUCH AS A LOSS, GRIEF AND TRANSFORMATION. SHE PLANS TO RELEASE HER DEBUT POETRY BOOK, "LIFE, IN ANY CONDITION" THIS YEAR.