Taylor Ross leaves today for the Miss South Carolina Teen pageant in Columbia. Ross is a junior at Greer High School.
The Greer High School junior isn’t traveling light. “I’m bring four suitcases with me – one for shoes, another for daily outfits, and one for dresses,” Ross said. Everything else must fit in the remaining suitcase.
Ross’ mother, Lisa, will accompany her daughter to Columbia.
The months since Ross was crowned in February have been busy shopping, training, undergoing rigorous mock interviews and refining her talent – she had to trim one minute from her routine, “Pageant Tips 101”.
“The only stress has been getting the paperwork in by deadline,” Ross said.
Ross' schedule is interview Monday, Evening Gown on Tuesday, Sports wear on Wednesday and Talent on Thursday. Between competitons are scheduled appearances throughout Columbia, and production rehearsals.
Rachel Wyatt, last year's Miss South Carolina Teen who won Miss Teen America, captured Ross' attention. "My grandma and I watched the pageant and I saw her and was inspired," Ross said.
Ross is competitive by nature. It was on the eve of the Miss Greater Greer pagent that she committed to the entire pageant process. "It was the night before the pageant that I decided I wanted to work hard and go all the way," she said.
Ross was the unanimous winner, capturing first in all three categories. However it was her "Pageant Tips 101" talent that had judges laughing. She was dressed in a bath robe with a head full of curlers making light of pageant contestants. Ross was encouraged by pageant officials and judges to stay with that unique talent performance.
Anna Brown, a former Miss Greater Greer, has helped Ross prepare for the pageant and the nearly non-stop activties of pageant week. "Anna has been here before and she was a big help," Ross said.
Teen contestants must be 13 to 17 and no more than a high school junior at the time of competition.
The competition is Tuesday through July 13, when the 2013 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen will be crowned at Columbia’s Township Auditorium.
Ali Rogers, 2012 Miss South Carolina was first runnerup in the Miss America contest.
Rachel Wyatt, Miss South Carolina Teen, won Miss America Outstanding Teen. That earned Sydney Sill, last year’s Miss Greater Greer Teen as Miss South Carolina Teen.