Katie Clark will be proudly representing Clarendon County this June in Columbia at the Township Auditorium during the Miss South Carolina Teen pageant. The preliminary competition will take place from Jun. 20 to Jun. 22. The Teen finals will be on Jun. 23.
Clark’s talent competition will be Jun. 20, followed by her interview and her on stage questions on Jun. 21. The fitness and evening gown competitions will be on Jun. 22.
Born in Sumter, SC, Clark has been raised between Sumter and Manning, the daughter of Ella and Tommy Clark. She is currently a Junior at Laurence Manning Academy. Clark plans on attending the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and hopes to one day become a pharmacist.
At the age of two Clark, competed in her first beauty pageant but did not enter another until she was in middle school. “I realized I had a lot to learn,” joked Clark, “but I loved it and have competing ever since.”
Clark said, “My social impact initiative is D3 Dancing. It is for emotional, mental, and physical health. Dancing has been a part of my life since I was eighteen months old when I took my first class. It has helped me stay active and strong, both mentally and physically. I believe dance gives us an outlet to express ourselves and it doesn’t have to be a formal dance class. Just an afternoon dance party can drastically improve your mood and get your blood flowing! Dance has also given me the confidence and mindset needed to take on tough challenges, like competition at Miss Teen South Carolina.”
Clark is currently a dance student at Carolina Dance Academy.
If given the opportunity to serve as Miss Teen SC, Clark’s goal is to share her love and passion for dance with students across South Carolina. She said, “I want to work towards making sure students in all South Carolina schools have the opportunity to explore dance. Schools tend to focus on art and music but dance is often not part of the arts curriculum. My hope is that I can share how beneficial dance can be to the students of our wonderful state.”
Clark is available to visit classrooms and share about dance “and of course have a dance party with the students!” Clark is still raising funds to support the Miss South Carolina Organization.
She explained, “Anyone who would like me to visit their school or anyone willing to donate may contact my LED, Mrs. Dixie Elliot at 803-566-1249 or my mom at 803-968-0728, all donations are greatly appreciated.”
Clark will be representing the county as the current Miss Laurence Manning Academy Teen.
