Greenbrier senior is 2008 pageant winner

Jocelyn Victoria Harper was crowned Miss Columbia County Fair on Saturday.

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The Miss Columbia County Fair Scholarship Pageant was held at Greenbrier High School, sponsored by the Merchants Association of Columbia County.

Thirteen young women competed for the crown and scholarship in categories including interview, swimsuit and evening gown.

"I'm really surprised" said Harper, 17, a senior at Greenbrier High and a member of National Honors Society, Beta Club and Spanish Honors Society. "There was a lot of good competition, but you always hope to win."

She is no stranger to the fair pageant. Her sister competed for the title, and her mother was a member of the Columbia County Merchants Association.

"This was the first year that I was eligible, but I was always watching those pageants, and I wanted to be up on stage with the girls," said Harper.

Meagan Weathers, the 2007 fair queen, was there to pass on the crown.

"Jocelyn is beautiful inside and out, and I know she deserves it. I'm happy to give the crown to someone who deserves it," said Weathers.

Harper said she was excited to be named queen and is looking forward to performing her duties.

"I also want to talk to the Merchants Association and find out what other things I can get involved in," she said.

Being involved in her community is very important to Harper, who volunteers with the Salvation Army, Special Olympics and is teaching an adult Spanish class.

"I really love helping other people. It makes me happy when I can help someone else and make them happy," Harper said.

Harper hopes to one day become a dermatologist.

"All the skin cancer going around and all these young girls who are so obsessed with the tanning bed, and I'm worried about them and having terrible skin," she said. "In our society today, to be beautiful, people think you have to be tan, and it is sad."

Pat Becton, the pageant director said, "I was real pleased with the girl that won. All the girls are special, and they're all winners, but Jocelyn is a real sweet girl inside and out, and she'll make us real proud in Atlanta."

Harper will go on to compete in Atlanta at the Georgia Association of Agriculture State Fair Pageant in January.

"She did a good job and she is a good Christian girl and will represent Columbia County well," Becton said.