south – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

Hunter Vaughn says farewell to her year as Miss South Carolina Teen.

United Way Bed Race - A fundraiser sponsored by United Way in which teams from local businesses and organizations redesign a hospital bed into a car. The beds are pushed by 4 runners and have 1 rider. Beds are judged in 3 categories - Fastest Bed, Costume and Design, and People's Choice. Beds race in pairs narrowing the field to the 2 fastest beds of the day who then face off for the WIN. — United Way Bed Race – A fundraiser sponsored by United Way in which teams from local businesses and organizations redesign a hospital bed into a car. The beds are pushed by 4 runners and have 1 rider. Beds are judged in 3 categories – Fastest Bed, Costume and Design, and People’s Choice. Beds race in pairs narrowing the field to the 2 fastest beds of the day who then face off for the WIN.

Food Donations to HOPE (Helping other people effectively) of Lancaster, a faith based, non-profit organization that provides short term emergency assistance to those in crisis.

Charleston Christmas Parade with sister queen Saylor Porcaro

Cards for Safyre - With the help of students from Erwin Elementary, we were able to send 22 Christmas cards to Safyre Terry for her card tree. Safyre's family was killed in a fire on May 2, 2013. She was critically injured in the fire. — Cards for Safyre – With the help of students from Erwin Elementary, we were able to send 22 Christmas cards to Safyre Terry for her card tree. Safyre’s family was killed in a fire on May 2, 2013. She was critically injured in the fire.

NAM Nationals - Won the title of National Most Promising Model, Photogenic 1st runner up, Casual Wear 2nd runner up, and Spokesmodel 4th runner up. — NAM Nationals – Won the title of National Most Promising Model, Photogenic 1st runner up, Casual Wear 2nd runner up, and Spokesmodel 4th runner up.

Story and a Snack at Erwin Elementary School - Reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to Mrs. Nowicki's first grade class and sharing a healthy caterpillar snack made with cherry tomatoes and green grapes. — Story and a Snack at Erwin Elementary School – Reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to Mrs. Nowicki’s first grade class and sharing a healthy caterpillar snack made with cherry tomatoes and green grapes.

Donating items to the Women's Enrichment Center, a ministry that provides a safe and caring environment for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. — Donating items to the Women’s Enrichment Center, a ministry that provides a safe and caring environment for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Salkehatchie Summer Service, a pioneering servant ministry at select sites in SC. Students upgrade housing, motivate community cooperative efforts by helping people help themselves and provide all participants with opportunities for personal growth and service.

Book Donations to Livi's Library, A book project in memory of Mary Olivia Pettit. Livi passed away in March of 2009 of viral myocarditis. Her passion was learning through books. — Book Donations to Livi’s Library, A book project in memory of Mary Olivia Pettit. Livi passed away in March of 2009 of viral myocarditis. Her passion was learning through books.

It’s truly hard to believe an entire year has already elapsed. My reign has been remarkable – from the second I was crowned to each and every day since. I have had the opportunity to partner with various charitable organizations and schools such as Livi’s Library, HOPE, United Way, Women’s Enrichment Center, and Erwin Elementary. I have attended many parades and I also participated in Salkehatchie Summer Service. Salkehatchie is a pioneering ministry at selected sites in South Carolina centered on youth as they upgrade houses, motivate community involvement, and personally grow in their faith. The highlight of my reign was Nationals in Anaheim, California. There, I stepped out of my comfort zone and found self-confidence and courage to be bold in all that I do. Being a NAM queen has allowed me to come out of my shell. I now take on all aspects of life with pride and gratification – two qualities I have gained through NAM. To all the contestants, best of luck during pageant weekend! Always remember – BE YOURSELF, let no one shape you into something or someone you aren’t. Radiate with confidence, make memories, and have fun!

Hunter Vaughn

2015 South Carolina Teen

Miss South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro met the stars of Entertainment Tonight!

Saylorpost2 Saylorpost2x2 Miss South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro met the stars of Entertainment Tonight! Saylor met Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight and got a shout out from Nancy O’Dell his co host and former Miss South Carolina.

South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro met with Congressman Mark Sanford.

South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro met with Congressman Mark Sanford. He sent Saylor a really nice letter congratulating her before she competed at Nationals. Saylor also had a chance to meet with all of the Florida Queens when visiting Orlando. They met during a visiting royality appearance and have been friends since! That’s what NAM is all about…making new friends and experiences.

Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Tymia McCullough collects and donates books!

SC2 Miss South Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Tymia McCullough collects and donates books! Tymia had been collecting book and had the opportunity to give them to her local pediatric office for the kids. While she was there it was brought to her attention that her local pediatric office did not offer books for a variety of ages, so she decided to make this her mission in giving back. Tymia was able to help children pick a book that they would like. Tymia was able to inform the staff on how important it is in helping children find a book to better their education.

Miss South Carolina Teen Hunter Vaughn helps the Woman’s Enrichment Center of Lancaster.

Hunter Hunter2 Hunter3 Miss South Carolina Teen Hunter Vaughn helps the Woman’s Enrichment Center of Lancaster. Hunter
used part of her winnings to purchase items for the Woman’s Enrichment Center of Lancaster. The Women’s Enrichment Center ministry provides a safe and caring environment for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. They offer practical alternatives to abortion and support the sanctity of human life. They educate clients on all options available to them. They also offer referrals for continued education and job assistance. All services are FREE and confidential. The Women’s Enrichment Center is funded by the generous contributions of churches, individuals, businesses, fundraising events and grants.

Miss South Carolina Teen Hunter Vaughn volunteers with United Way of Lancaster.

1 - Judges 2 - Judges Table 3 - United Way Pace Car 4 - Parade of Beds with United Way Board of Directors 5 - Winner of the Modified Division%2c Lancaster City Fire Dept. Miss South Carolina Teen Hunter Vaughn volunteers with United Way of Lancaster. United Way of Lancaster hosts a Bed Race Fundraiser each year. Local businesses, civic organizations and churches form teams. Each team modifies a hospital bed into a car. The teams compete by pushing the beds 100 yards. The beds race in heat races to determine the 2 teams that will face off in the championship race. Hunter was one of the judges for this year’s event.

2015 National American Miss South Carolina Maryanna Hatcher volunteered with a summer school program.

2015 National American Miss South Carolina Maryanna Hatcher volunteered with a summer school program. Maryanna was able to work with some students in a summer school program in Yemassee, South Carolina. She was able to teach them music using sign language and movement.

Hunter Vaughn, South Carolina Teen Queen, has been busy volunteering around town.

Hunter Vaughn, South Carolina Teen Queen, has been busy volunteering around town. Hunter used a portion of her winnings to purchase food to donate to the food pantry of HOPE in Lancaster. HOPE- Helping Other People Effectively, provides help to residents of Lancaster and Fort Lawn, South Carolina, who are coping with short term financial emergencies. HOPE offers assistance with rent, heating fuel, electricity, natural gas, water and food.

Hunter also donated the school supplies she received at the state pageant to Erwin Elementary School in Lancaster. The majority of Erwin’s student body are children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The supplies donated were greatly appreciated and will be distributed to students as needed throughout the school year.

Newly crowned, Maryanna Hatcher, National American Miss South Carolina helped at the Georgia state pageant.

Newly crowned, Maryanna Hatcher, National American Miss South Carolina helped at the Georgia state pageant. Maryanna got crowned as the Miss Queen in Greenville, South Carolina. She then jumped right into serving and volunteering by heading to the Georgia state pageant in Atlanta, Georgia.

Miss South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro volunteered at a shelter.

Miss South Carolina Princess Saylor Porcaro volunteered at a shelter. She collected towels for pet helpers to use at their shelter. They use towels for different things such as, making dog toys, beds for animals etc. Last November Saylor and her family lost their beloved family pet Dusty to sudden heart failure. During Dusty’s stay at the emergency vet Saylor was very interested in their program they have for unwanted stuffed animals. They use them for the animals in their care there so their family can leave their scent on a stuffed animal for their pet to snuggle while away from their family. She collected stuffed animals for the emergency vet to use with their patients. Although their Dusty never left the emergency vet, they will continue to do this in her honor cause they know that a little piece of them was with her when they couldn’t be via a donated stuffed animal. Saylor loves animals and just to help wherever she can.