For the first time in town history, two young women have been chosen to represent Landrum in the Miss America pageant system. Jordyn Fox, Miss Landrum, and Mikayla Stark, Miss Teen Landrum, relaxed on a cozy couch at Carolina Antiques on Saturday, Nov. 30 and talked about what it meant to them.

“It’s amazing to represent people I love,” Stark said. “My mother graduated from Landrum High School, and it’s such an honor to me.”

Fox focused on the town’s many strengths and unique character.

“I love the close, tight-knit community here, and the intimate setting,” Fox said. “The downtown area with its antique shops really is unique.”

The young women competed in the Miss Spartanburg pageant, and that’s where they learned, to their joy, that they had been chosen to represent Landrum and would continue to the state pageant. They went through a lengthy process to win their crowns. They had evening gown, onstage question and talent competitions, and they also had to demonstrate physical fitness.

Stark, a high school freshman, likes to clog, so she decided to clog for her talent competition.

“It’s a southern thing,” she said.

Fox’s mother always sang to her as she grew up, and they shared a special song when she was very little. Her mother would sing, “I love you truly I do, truly I do,” and Fox would chime in on that last word, “do,” even as a baby. She chose singing as her talent.

“I like to sing jazz. It makes me feel unique, and I scat, too,” Fox said. “I sang Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘How High the Moon,’ which says no matter where you are or what you’re going through, you can have dreams and reach for the moon.”

The young women will compete at the state level this year, and they both emphasized that they put service above self.

“This pageant doesn’t mean a year of reigning in a community; instead, it means a year of service to a community,” Fox said. “I chose to support the Boys and Girls Club of America, and Landrum has a club system at O.P. Earle Elementary. The club offers a safe environment for teens and children, where they can learn to express themselves in athletics and the arts.”

Fox participated in the club as a child, and benefited from the club’s experts, including visiting artists such as a renowned choreographer and actor. Her first trip to a college campus occurred through the Boys and Girls Club.

“Every community should have one,” Fox said.

Stark represents iBEST, an acronym for body language, eye contact, smiling and talking. She goes to preschools to read a book about “The Turkey Who Wanted to Moo,” to help children learn to develop confidence in themselves.

“It isn’t about having the best or being the best,” Stark explained. “It’s about doing your own individual best, and that’s how you reach for perfection. It’s not about being better than anybody else, but being the best you can be.”

Stark has participated in the Miss South Carolina system for three years. She started in the Miss America system in 2009 in the princess program, mentored by Lauren Little, Miss South Carolina 2009. Now, as Miss Teen Landrum, she has three princesses to mentor: Skye Blackwell, Keileah Roach and Alex Fyfe.

Fox has been named Miss Carver and Miss Black Upstate 2012, but this year will be her first in the Miss America system. Stark said she considered Fox to be her mentor, and Fox would like to offer support to another girl who wants to participate in the princess program.

“It’s to learn the value of leadership and service,” Fox said.

Fox’s own mentor has been Latasha Selisby, Miss Oakland, California, who recently finished a residency at Spartanburg Regional and has become a doctor.

“What matters to me is giving back,” she said.

Fox chose a criminal justice major and plans to attend law school. Her whole family has been very supportive of her decision to participate in the pageant. Mary Smith, Fox’s great-aunt, expressed enthusiasm for Fox’s choices, and emphasized that Fox’s poise, kindness and beauty both inside and out had been evident from the time she was a little girl.

“I’m excited that she made the decision to participate in the pageant, because she could have done anything,” Smith said. “She grew up as a tomboy with her brother, who is attending Harvard now. Jordyn works as a lifeguard at YMCA, swims and teaches water aerobics. She’s an all A student. She always has been exceptionally smart.”

Stark wants to open her own baking business, and she takes college credit classes now through the Scholars Academy. By the time she graduates from high school, she will have 65 college credit hours, and it’s free through her school district.

Stark’s father said, “This pageant isn’t like what they show on the television, in things like ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ It’s very different. I can see how Mikayla’s grown in the past three years, and her progress has been remarkable. Participating in the pageants has developed her confidence.”

Fox said she really valued being of service to other people, and participating in the pageant expanded her ability to reach and help a wider community.

“My faith gives me strength,” Fox said. “I believe in these words from Matthew 17:20: ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.’”