Category: General Information

As the 2016 Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen, my year of service has been nothing short of amazing! I have volunteering weekly at my local pet adoption center and have participated in many events with my local Humane Society this year.   I was honored to take my title all the way to India where I was able to witness my fundraising efforts that helped build a clean water well for villagers and a drinking water facility for animals in my Grandfather’s birth village. Baking cookies at the Ronald McDonald House, participating in the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society Walk and volunteering at the Officers Down 5K with my SC sisters queen was so much fun!  I promoted Gorilla awareness by doing an educational presentation and making a care package for The Gorilla Foundation.  National American Miss has not only boosted my confidence but also encouraged me to speak out and to be determined and kind.

I want to wish all of the contestants the best of luck! Through National American Miss, I have made everlasting friendships and have had so many opportunities to make a difference and I hope that each of you will too! I hope each and every one of you has a fabulous journey with NAM…and remember: once a NAM girl, always a NAM girl!

Fondly,

Jia Patel – 2016 Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen

Wow It’s hard to believe my year is coming to an end. I have had an amazing year of service and meeting so many people and experiencing more than I could have ever imagined. Over the past year my family, friends and I have volunteered over 100 hours at Greater Spartanburg Ministries. From realizing first hand how much of a difference I was making, I wanted to help even more so I created my own project Kayla’s Can’s For Charity, where I collected non perishable food items and donated them to this faith based organization. I’ve volunteered many hours with the Ronald McDonald House this year, baking cookies and meeting so many nice people. I volunteered at the officers down 5k where I helped families of the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. It was so cool getting to ride in my hometowns Christmas parade benefiting the Harvest Hope Food Bank. The highlight of my year was flying over 2000 miles to California. I have learned so much from NAM that I’ll cherish forever. To the beautiful contestants, Be yourself, and never give up on yourself. To the next Jr Teen, enjoy every minute. Your year will fly by so don’t take it for granted. Take this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and know that one act of kindness can help change the world.

For the last time I am your 2016 National American Miss South Carolina Jr. Teen. Kayla Geer