THE NEWLY CROWNED Miss South Carolina 2012, Ali Rogers, can trace at least part of her fan base to the 42 fellow S.C. high school students who joined her on the 2009 Washington Youth Tour.

Rogers was the reigning Miss Laurens County Teen that year, the same summer she served as the Laurens Electric Cooperative delegate to Washington, D.C. Just weeks after returning from Washington, she went on to win the title of Miss South Carolina Teen 2009.

“All my friends on the Washington trip were pulling for me,” Rogers said. “We had just been on this amazing trip together, and then I was in the pageant, and they were all supporting me.”

With a love of history and an interest in politics, Rogers was overwhelmed by the opportunity provided by the Youth Tour to explore America’s past, visit monuments and meet with congressmen during her week in Washington. As Miss South Carolina, she will spend the next year promoting her platform—making a difference for children with disabilities—and proudly representing her home state and county.

“That’s what it’s all about—giving back to your community and the people who supported you,” Rogers said.