Ali Rogers
Miss South Carolina's Outstanding Teen 2009 (top 10 @ MAOT 2010)
Miss South Carolina 2012
How did you get into pageantry?
I competed in my first pageant when I was seventeen. I won my high school pageant then made (and lost) and bet with my varsity softball coach. If I lost the bet, I had to compete in Miss Laurens County Teen 2009. I won it and continued to Miss South Carolina Teen 2009 and then to Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2010. I was a Top Ten Finalist at MAOTeen.
After Taylor Fitch (who represented South Carolina) took the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen the year before, did you feel pressured to place?
I didn't feel pressured to be any better than my personal best. I competed to my fullest potential and knew the journey was far more important than the outcome. That mindset allowed me to truly enjoy competition week and know that God had big plans in store, no matter what happened the final night.
Why did you decide to crossover from competing in the "Teen" division to the "Miss" division?
I learned so much about the importance of service throughout my year as Miss South Carolina Teen. I knew that having the job as Miss South Carolina would give me the most incredible opportunity to give back to my state and community. Knowing the opportunities I could potential have to serve was the driving factor behind wanting to get involved in the Miss division.
Tell us about your platform, "Making a Difference for Children with Disabilities".
Making a Difference for Children with Disabilities is my passion. I will work with children with special needs throughout my year as Miss South Carolina in as many schools and communities as I can. Making sure they feel loved and feel a sense of friendship is critical as I develop my relationships with them.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss South Carolina?
Honestly, not much was going through my head when my name was called. I was unbelievably humbled that I was going to have this opportunity; it is still very surreal that I will be competing for Miss America 2013 in January.
Why did you decide to major in Communications at Clemson University?
I plan on pursuing a career in the public relations field so communication studies was an obvious line of study. I am interested in the communication aspect of professional sports and the political world, and there are endless career options in this field.
Lastly, what do you hope to achieve by the end of your reign as Miss South Carolina?
As Miss South Carolina, I hope to truly make a difference in this great state. I want serve with a hard work ethic and the utmost integrity, representing the Miss America Organization and the state of South Carolina in a manner which will make them proud to have me as a representative.
I competed in my first pageant when I was seventeen. I won my high school pageant then made (and lost) and bet with my varsity softball coach. If I lost the bet, I had to compete in Miss Laurens County Teen 2009. I won it and continued to Miss South Carolina Teen 2009 and then to Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2010. I was a Top Ten Finalist at MAOTeen.
After Taylor Fitch (who represented South Carolina) took the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen the year before, did you feel pressured to place?
I didn't feel pressured to be any better than my personal best. I competed to my fullest potential and knew the journey was far more important than the outcome. That mindset allowed me to truly enjoy competition week and know that God had big plans in store, no matter what happened the final night.
Why did you decide to crossover from competing in the "Teen" division to the "Miss" division?
I learned so much about the importance of service throughout my year as Miss South Carolina Teen. I knew that having the job as Miss South Carolina would give me the most incredible opportunity to give back to my state and community. Knowing the opportunities I could potential have to serve was the driving factor behind wanting to get involved in the Miss division.
Tell us about your platform, "Making a Difference for Children with Disabilities".
Making a Difference for Children with Disabilities is my passion. I will work with children with special needs throughout my year as Miss South Carolina in as many schools and communities as I can. Making sure they feel loved and feel a sense of friendship is critical as I develop my relationships with them.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss South Carolina?
Honestly, not much was going through my head when my name was called. I was unbelievably humbled that I was going to have this opportunity; it is still very surreal that I will be competing for Miss America 2013 in January.
Why did you decide to major in Communications at Clemson University?
I plan on pursuing a career in the public relations field so communication studies was an obvious line of study. I am interested in the communication aspect of professional sports and the political world, and there are endless career options in this field.
Lastly, what do you hope to achieve by the end of your reign as Miss South Carolina?
As Miss South Carolina, I hope to truly make a difference in this great state. I want serve with a hard work ethic and the utmost integrity, representing the Miss America Organization and the state of South Carolina in a manner which will make them proud to have me as a representative.