Stephanie Horton Interview
Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2003
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageant
I had the desire to compete in pageants a couple of years before I actually started my journey to Miss South Carolina Teen USA. I remember watching Miss Teen USA as Vanessa Minnillo won the title in 1998 and thinking that was just the best thing that someone from South Carolina was Miss Teen USA (imagine my delight when I was able to meet her at Teen USA 2003 when she was a judge!). I became more and more interested in doing a pageant, but my mom kept telling me that I needed to wait until I had my braces taken off and "grew up" a little. I think it was 2000 when I finally began participating in pageants when a USA preliminary was starting in my hometown of Sumter, SC. I liked meeting all the girls, pageant directors and other people who helped out with the pageants, and I had always loved dance and being on stage. Therefore, pageants were just generally fun experiences for me, especially with the added bonus of being able to dress up and get really girly!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
I honestly could not tell you what was going through my head in that moment- I was so excited that it probably would have been something closer to a high-pitched squeal rather than an intelligent thought anyway. Obviously, it was just so thrilling to realize that I would be the year's titleholder. That year, they played "A Moment Like This" when Austen Brown and Ashley Williams were trying to put the crown (which was quite reluctant) on my head, and it just seemed like a make-believe moment. To this day, my grandaddy still calls that "my song." Then, Anna Hanks was named Miss South Carolina USA, and it was even more special because we had already shared the sister titles of Miss Lexington that year.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
There were so many things that it is really difficult to name just one. It was such a crazy year for my family! My twin sister was also a state titleholder in a different system (it only took her one try though!), and her national pageant was the week before mine. Many of my family members went to her pageant and then headed to the west coast for mine, so it was a fun family event. I think I have more pictures from the coronation ball of my family and friends having fun together than from the rest of the two weeks! I guess I would say that is the most special memory to me.
If you were to convince somebody to visit South Carolina, how would you do so?
Who needs to be convinced?! From mountains to the ocean, we have it all! I love South Carolina. A couple of weekends ago, I was kayaking on the river in Columbia; this weekend, I was at Myrtle Beach; next weekend, I will be traveling to historic Charleston! What more could anyone ask for? Not only is there always something new to go and see or do, the people here cannot be beat on kindness and hospitality. There are lots of warm and friendly hearts to match our warm climate!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
Again, there are so many fun things I remember from that year- all the titleholders from SC, NC, and LA dressing up in our matching coats to go to a Christmas show in Myrtle Beach, various parades and events, driving around Charleston with Anna Hanks to talk with a group of seniors about college, going to Miss USA, Gregory Ellenburg designing my interview suit and evening gown, the going away party my mom had for me before Teen USA, actually being at Teen USA- the list goes on and on. The part I always loved the most, though, was seeing little girls waving to me during parades, or even better, being able to talk with them and share my crown...always a sure way to bring smiles to their faces.
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title as Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
I had so many people who had helped me in various ways- I just wanted to make sure that they all knew how much I appreciated each of them. The year had been such a whirlwind- I started college, was a cheerleader at USC, and worked part-time, so even now, I wish I would have had more time to do more things as Miss South Carolina Teen USA. I wouldn't say I was sad, though. From the beginning, you know it must eventually come to an end, and you just look forward to what is to come next. It was a great experience and definitely a year that changed my life, so I was excited to pass on the opportunity to someone else.
During your reign as Miss SC Teen USA, you wanted to become a pediatrician, have you achieved this goal?
It is ironic that you should ask that question, because you have been patiently awaiting my answers to these questions as I have been studying for the Medical College Admission Test. I will be applying to medical schools this year to hopefully enroll in the fall of 2010 and become one step closer to achieving that goal.
I had the desire to compete in pageants a couple of years before I actually started my journey to Miss South Carolina Teen USA. I remember watching Miss Teen USA as Vanessa Minnillo won the title in 1998 and thinking that was just the best thing that someone from South Carolina was Miss Teen USA (imagine my delight when I was able to meet her at Teen USA 2003 when she was a judge!). I became more and more interested in doing a pageant, but my mom kept telling me that I needed to wait until I had my braces taken off and "grew up" a little. I think it was 2000 when I finally began participating in pageants when a USA preliminary was starting in my hometown of Sumter, SC. I liked meeting all the girls, pageant directors and other people who helped out with the pageants, and I had always loved dance and being on stage. Therefore, pageants were just generally fun experiences for me, especially with the added bonus of being able to dress up and get really girly!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
I honestly could not tell you what was going through my head in that moment- I was so excited that it probably would have been something closer to a high-pitched squeal rather than an intelligent thought anyway. Obviously, it was just so thrilling to realize that I would be the year's titleholder. That year, they played "A Moment Like This" when Austen Brown and Ashley Williams were trying to put the crown (which was quite reluctant) on my head, and it just seemed like a make-believe moment. To this day, my grandaddy still calls that "my song." Then, Anna Hanks was named Miss South Carolina USA, and it was even more special because we had already shared the sister titles of Miss Lexington that year.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
There were so many things that it is really difficult to name just one. It was such a crazy year for my family! My twin sister was also a state titleholder in a different system (it only took her one try though!), and her national pageant was the week before mine. Many of my family members went to her pageant and then headed to the west coast for mine, so it was a fun family event. I think I have more pictures from the coronation ball of my family and friends having fun together than from the rest of the two weeks! I guess I would say that is the most special memory to me.
If you were to convince somebody to visit South Carolina, how would you do so?
Who needs to be convinced?! From mountains to the ocean, we have it all! I love South Carolina. A couple of weekends ago, I was kayaking on the river in Columbia; this weekend, I was at Myrtle Beach; next weekend, I will be traveling to historic Charleston! What more could anyone ask for? Not only is there always something new to go and see or do, the people here cannot be beat on kindness and hospitality. There are lots of warm and friendly hearts to match our warm climate!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
Again, there are so many fun things I remember from that year- all the titleholders from SC, NC, and LA dressing up in our matching coats to go to a Christmas show in Myrtle Beach, various parades and events, driving around Charleston with Anna Hanks to talk with a group of seniors about college, going to Miss USA, Gregory Ellenburg designing my interview suit and evening gown, the going away party my mom had for me before Teen USA, actually being at Teen USA- the list goes on and on. The part I always loved the most, though, was seeing little girls waving to me during parades, or even better, being able to talk with them and share my crown...always a sure way to bring smiles to their faces.
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title as Miss South Carolina Teen USA?
I had so many people who had helped me in various ways- I just wanted to make sure that they all knew how much I appreciated each of them. The year had been such a whirlwind- I started college, was a cheerleader at USC, and worked part-time, so even now, I wish I would have had more time to do more things as Miss South Carolina Teen USA. I wouldn't say I was sad, though. From the beginning, you know it must eventually come to an end, and you just look forward to what is to come next. It was a great experience and definitely a year that changed my life, so I was excited to pass on the opportunity to someone else.
During your reign as Miss SC Teen USA, you wanted to become a pediatrician, have you achieved this goal?
It is ironic that you should ask that question, because you have been patiently awaiting my answers to these questions as I have been studying for the Medical College Admission Test. I will be applying to medical schools this year to hopefully enroll in the fall of 2010 and become one step closer to achieving that goal.