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Miss Lexington Anna Perry is crowned as Miss SC 2008.
By Sunday morning, reality still hadn’t hit for the newly crowned Miss South Carolina Anna Perry and Miss South Carolina Teen Taylor Fitch.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and media at the Spartanburg Marriott, both said they felt like they were in a dream world. Perry, who competed as Miss Lexington, hadn’t even looked in the mirror while wearing her sparkling new crown.
“Trust me, next week you’ll know,” joked Joe Sanders, Miss South Carolina Organization president and CEO, before launching into an itinerary of the busy days and weeks ahead.
Sanders introduced the newest title holders to cheers and loud applause. In the audience were Miss South Carolina 2007 Crystal Garrett and Miss South Carolina Teen 2007 Lauren Lytle, who passed on their crowns Saturday night. They wore pink T-shirts with black letters humorously spelling out “Has beens.”
Fitch, 17, will immediately begin intensive preparations for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 12 to 16. She’ll fine-tune her musical theater/jazz routine.
Fitch, as Miss Teen Upstate, won the physical fitness and evening gown preliminaries.
Perry, 23, said she plans to go to Orlando to support her teen counterpart. She’ll also begin preparations for the next big pageant — Miss America, Jan. 20-24 in Las Vegas.
Perry won preliminary victories this week in the swimsuit and talent competitions. The Florence native performed “Rhapsody in Blue” on the piano.
When it comes to competition, Perry has an inside edge. Her mother, Julia Diane Hill Perry, was crowned Miss South Carolina 1982.
“We’re definitely different people, but she has molded me into the person that I am,” Anna Perry said.
Diane Perry and a slew of supporters were in the crowd Saturday night to see Anna’s sigh of relief when her name was called.
“When the crown went on her head last night, as wonderful as it was when I was crowned Miss South Carolina, it was 100 times better,” Diane Perry said.
Her daughter called the Miss South Carolina pageant the most extensive job interview she has had since singing in front of a crowded Charleston restaurant to be a waitress.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’m ready for the job. I’m ready to be Miss South Carolina.”
This year Perry said she wants to make as many appearances as possible. Already overwhelmed by the responsibility, she’s looking for a personal calendar to keep herself organized.
Whatever outcomes of the national pageants, Perry and Fitch said they plan to spend their next year representing the Palmetto State and promoting the platforms they believe in.
Perry is a supporter of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and cancer research. She hopes to see a St. Jude’s Dream House be built and auctioned off as a fundraiser.
Fitch’s platform is “overcoming physical challenges, heart, mind and hands.” She hopes to help those with physical problems “continue to broaden their horizons and show other people what incredible people they truly are.”
The Miss South Carolina title comes with a $20,000 scholarship, which Perry plans to use toward medical school. Fitch will receive a $5,000 savings bond.
