While there are countless beautiful girls at the University of South Carolina, few are willing to do what it takes to compete in a pageant. In addition to looking hott and being confident, this elite group of women knows what it takes to obtain and maintain a pageant title. One of the most experienced is Courtney Hope Turner. Courtney is a second year Multi-Media & Mass Communications student who recently won the title of Miss Teen United States, a national beauty competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Miss United States Pageant focuses on overall beauty, poise, confidence, personal interview, on-stage question, as well as community involvement. “It’s mix between outward and inner beauty. They don’t want you to leave your crown on the shelf to get dusty, they want you to put it to work and do things you couldn’t do without it. The opportunities are endless when you win a title such as this,” said Turner.
Being a beauty queen is more than just being beautiful. Pageant director Laura Mills explains, “You have to possess a confidence and a sense of charisma that when you walk into a room you attract people’s attention. It’s about so much more than what you look like. You have to be the total package. You have to have the style but you also have to be the personality- and Courtney is just that.”
Turner has had a few years of pageant experience, capturing other titles such as Miss Charleston Teen USA, Miss Teen South Carolina United States, and Miss North Augusta Teen USA, which she says has been a confidence builder. “Pageants have pushed me outside of my comfort zone and have taught me how to be a good public speaker, overcome my fears, and really how to inspire others.”
This USC student has many ambitions for her one year as Miss Teen United States. She said she sees her position as a very special job. “It gives me a responsibility. There are lots of people who know who I am, and who look up to me. It’s not about being a diva. It’s being a role model wherever you go and to whoever you come across.”
Turner will attend many community service events with the crown. She has already made appearances in Atlanta, Charleston, Greenville, Augusta, North Augusta, Aiken, Columbia, and Charlotte. She has visited Troops and the Veteran Hospital, giving out gifts to the wounded soldiers. She has also helped to promote various businesses at the Chamber of Commerce. While in Las Vegas, she made an onstage introduction for Demi Lovato and David Archuleta of American Idol on their summer concert tour.
“Of course pageant girls do the fun appearances with celebs and have umpteen photo shoots, but service is also a factor of the title. It gives the girls the chance to give back to their communities and touch people’s lives,” said Mills.
Along with her title, Turner has modeled for top designers such as Riva Design, Sherri Hill Pageantry & Prom, and P.S. Outfitters. She can be found on Russell Athletic advertisement posters at DICK’S Sporting Goods as well as in a commercial for Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Pageant.
In addition to the various pageant activities, she has taken four years of ballroom dance, has a black belt in martial arts, likes to snowboard, plays piano, and loves to skydive. Here at USC, Turner is involved with the White Water Rafting & Mountaineering Club and Campus Crusade.
“I feel very honored to be Miss Teen United States because this was something that has always been a dream of mine that I worked very, very hard for and nothing feels more satisfying than when a dream comes true. And now with my title, I want to bless others because I feel blessed.” Turner is currently visiting middle schools in and around Columbia, speaking to kids on how to have positive self-esteem. In January, she is organizing an event that will promote and raise funds for stopping Human Trafficking. Also, watch out for her on TV because she has been casted for a Belk commercial in the spring. For more information on the Miss United States pageant go to www.unitedstatespageant.com.
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