Miss South Carolina inspires students to dream big during Read Across America Week

Published: Mar. 5, 2024 at 10:06 PM EST|Updated: 14 hours ago

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - During Read Across America Week, Miss South Carolina, Jada Samuel, took her message of determination and resilience to Monaview Elementary School in the Upstate, where she encouraged students to chase their dreams.

In a cafeteria buzzing with excitement, Principal Stephen Hampton set the stage for Samuel’s empowering message, emphasizing the limitless possibilities awaiting the students.

“To just reach for their goals and to be able to achieve anything that they want to,” Hampton said.

Samuel, with her gentle demeanor and infectious enthusiasm, shared her personal journey of perseverance with the young audience.

“It takes determination and resilience to make any of your dreams come true, that means you have to work really hard,” she explained.

She candidly recounted her own setbacks, reassuring the students that failure is a natural part of the journey.

“I decided that I was going to compete, guess what happened the first time…I lost but that’s okay because I was determined and resilient and guess what happened the second time...no I lost again,” Samuel said.

Reflecting on her victory, Samuel stressed the importance of resilience.

“I didn’t realize the power in that story until after I had actually won. But letting people know that you know you can fail many times just because you get one or two no’s doesn’t mean that your yes is not around the corner,” Samuel said.

As she read her children’s book, “Joy on a Journey: Finding a Mentor,” Samuel underscored the significance of seeking guidance and support. Mentioning her own mentors, Mr. Niki and Lily Jones.

“Over time I had so many mentors in so many different spaces. I love the children’s book Joy on a Journey: Finding a Mentor because I got to highlight so many people in my life who have been influential, including my own neighbors Mr. Niki and Lily Jones,” Samuel said.

For students of color like Rebekah Fuentes, Samuel serves as a guiding light of hope.

“It’s extremely important for me to be able to show kids that if they can see it they can be it. So I love being in rooms of people who look like me who understand my background and story,” Samuel said.

Rebekah Fuentes, already aspiring to greatness.

“I think my mom is my mentor and I want to become a Doctor and be really successful in college” Fuentes said.

Principal Hampton left the students with a message, echoing Samuel’s sentiments.

“Keep trying, keep working, keep pushing, eventually you will be able to achieve your goals,” Hampton said.

Samuel, is not just inspiring students through her words but also through her actions. She is partnering with the Original Six Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing education for public school students in rural and underserved communities.

“It’s really important for me to partner with organizations that already exist here in South Carolina, that are doing so much of the work that I’ve been able to do, and amplify some of the work that I’ve been able to do as Miss South Carolina. The Original Six Foundation has 12 after school programs throughout the state, and they focus on rural and underserved communities,” Samuel said.

Original Six FoundationMarch 6, 2024