My Purpose

By Carmen Scott

Growing up I never knew much about my purpose or what I wanted to do in life. I had silly dreams as a little girl of being a princess or living in a castle but not much of what I truly was going to do for myself. When I found pageants, I knew I had a passion for them. Not only do I love to talk, I love to be passionate about what I talk about. 

When joining the Miss America Organization I knew I needed a Community Service Initiate and when thinking about it only one thing could make sense for me. The Military. I grew up knowing the military and knowing deployments and a mother on her own. I struggled with loneliness when moving to a new place and knowing no one who was going through the same thing I was. My mother struggled to make ends meet when she had to go through all the mental and physical tolls of my father being on deployment. She carried the weight of missing a part of her heart. She was told she “didn’t serve”. Just because she doesn’t wear the uniform doesn’t mean she doesn’t do the work. She was our rock and foundation and made sure she always stepped up and never missed a thing. All of the holidays, dance recitals, baseball games, birthdays, she made it all happen and never failed. She didn’t show her hardships and kept hidden when she cried. She was always there for us even when my father couldn’t be. 

Me and my siblings all struggled with hardships ourselves by not having our dad around and getting to see him over a FaceTime call or getting a teddy bear in the mail. Not only do soldiers struggle while serving, their spouses and children struggle in the home. My Community Service Initiative was then entitled, Unsung Heroes. I recognize the strength it takes to serve, not only when in uniform but in the home as well. These soldiers defend our country and do so much but in the shadows lay their families who hold the weights on their shoulders and serve just as much. I advocate for these families, getting into schools to make all military students familiar of each other so they never felt how I did, making groups for fellow military spouses to talk to each other, creating a podcast for everyone to hear of the faith I carry not only on my walk with the Lord but my walk in this initiative. I strive to make military families heard. 

Going into Miss South Carolina’s Teen this June I know one thing for certain. If I win, no military family in the state of South Carolina will ever go unheard. I offer support, connection, and a constant reminder that they are not alone. These families serve too. I am here to serve them.

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Carmen Scott is the current Miss Low Country’s Teen (SC). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

The Impact of Technology on Kids: A Growing Concern and a Personal Journey

By Destiny Anglemyer

Technology is everywhere in our lives today, and for kids, it’s not just an added convenience, it’s something they rely on daily. According to Common Sense Media, 42% of kids have a smartphone by age 10, and by age 12, that number climbs to 71%. The digital world is becoming a bigger part of their lives every year, and it's important to recognize the risks that come with it.

Through my years of working with children, I’ve seen how deeply technology affects them. While it can be an amazing tool for learning and connection, it also brings challenges, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the mental toll of too much screen time. Many kids are immersed in this world without fully understanding the potential dangers.

This is why I started Safe Tech, Smart Futures. My goal is to teach students how to use technology safely and responsibly. It’s not just about protecting them from online dangers, but helping them harness technology in positive ways, whether for creativity, learning, or personal growth.

I’ve been competing in pageants for years, but my dream was

always to be part of the Miss America organization. In my first attempt, I decided to compete in the final preliminary pageant for Miss South Carolina. I was crowned Miss Yellow Jasmine, earning my chance to compete at Miss South Carolina. This experience marked a turning point for me, not just in my personal growth, but in my commitment to making a difference. I now use my platform to raise awareness about digital safety and equip students with the tools to navigate the digital world confidently.

Having seen the impact technology has on kids firsthand, I know how important it is for them to learn how to use it safely. Through Safe Tech, Smart Futures, I’m dedicated to helping students take control of their digital lives and navigate the online world with confidence and awareness.

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Destiny Anglemyer is the current Miss Yellow Jasmine (SC). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.