In one of the biggest snow storms Greenville, SC had, I was born, on January 3rd, 1988. I was born the youngest in my family being the third child of an older sister Hayley and brother Max, who are now 24 and 21. I am named Holly because of my birthday being close to Christmas and the fact that ‘Hayley and Holly’ go together. My middle name comes from my great-grandmother, which was her last name and my grandmother’s maiden name…I am actually very fond of it. And Whatley, of course, is my dad’s family name which I like the way my first and last name roll together.

I grew up a real tomboy with my brother being on 15 months older than me. Max and I were adventurers and friends. We had a creek in our backyard and somehow we always found ourselves in it and even would take our fishing poles and believe that we would actually catch fish although there were only tadpoles and salamanders. I believe my brother Max is the one who really taught me to be competitive and to reach for new heights. He always challenged me in sports, races to the car from the grocery store, and holding our breath under water…and let me tell you, he didn’t always win! This is when I discovered my potential and found my inner strength to do whatever it is that I wanted to do.

My sister has always set the standards. It was obviously a given role with her being the oldest. I have always looked up to her. The both of us had our times growing up with me being the little sister and now to our young adult age of being really close friends. The two of us started to become really close when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer because my sister helped out a lot, and she became our substitute mom, while my mom was in recovery. We both played on the varsity tennis team at Travelers Rest High School and we really got to bond during our tennis seasons that we had, and we still enjoy playing a nice round of tennis together.

My parents are named Mary Ellen Wilkinson and Max Whatley Jr. And unfortunately, they have been divorced since I was in about the second grade. However, they have remained close friends and actually talk on a regular basis. We still have normal family celebrations for birthdays and holidays, but sometimes I do miss the wholeness of the family. My parents have taught me so many different things that I could not possibly name them all. For the most part my parents have taught me a lot about love and unconditional love, and through their friendship they still love each other and that shows, and not only does it show but it means a lot to me and my brother and sister, to know that nothing will ever separate us. Both of my parents have always been my biggest fans and best supporters, they have taught me to go after my dreams and do whatever it is to get there! One of the reasons I am where I am today.

In high school I played Varsity Basketball for Travelers Rest and started all four years. My sophomore year I was the Most Improved player; my junior year I was Captain and received the Coach’s Award; and my senior year I was Captain and MVP and had special recognition for the All-County team. I also excelled in tennis. I started playing Varsity Tennis at Travelers Rest High School when I was in the 7th grade, playing doubles and in the 8th grade playing number 5 singles. Once I was actually in high school, 9th grade, I moved up the ladder to seat number one on the team and kept my spot until I graduated. I won numerous awards, lettering all six years, freshman year received All-Region, sophomore year All-Region and MVP, my junior year I was Captain, All-Region, and MVP and my senior year I was Captain and MVP.

Sports have really been a big part of my life and I continue to enjoy them by playing intramurals at Presbyterian College and with my friends and family. Sports have taught me to be a leader, to rely on others, to have a motivation and to set goals. It is who I am, purely an at heart athlete.

I started doing pageants when I was in high school. The Travelers Rest pageant was always very popular, however it was very stereotypical. It was a common fact that cheerleaders always won pageants and got top ten—I did not believe that, and I proved them wrong. I started doing pageants to prove you do not have to be a Barbie doll to do well, you could be an all-star athlete and still do just as well. And my first pageant in the 9th grade, there were 27 of us girls and if I can remember, I was the only athlete…and I made top ten! ? And after that I was sold and always looked forward to the next pageant. I loved getting a new dress, getting prepared to go on stage and hanging out with some of my close friends.

And that is how I am now Miss Williamston. All of these things instilled in me, in my personality and heart, this is where it has lead me. Miss Williamston is the very FIRST title that I have ever had. I feel very fortunate to have it and very blessed. I believe that God has blessed me with this opportunity for a reason and that He has good plans for me. I can only imagine what I will be embarking upon down the pathway of being Miss Williamston. Since I am the first title holder since Leslie Mazzara, I want to make sure I hold this title to the standard that she has set for it and go forth In her honor and experience the wonderful things that she also experienced.

The platform that I am promoting is Breast Cancer Awareness. Earlier I mentioned that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and she is now a six year survivor! She went through a rough time and we as a family also went through it with her. Breast Cancer is not something that only affects the victim, it affects the whole family. And I want to help make it possible for there to be a cure for this awful disease one day, but I cannot do it alone and that is why I am promoting this platform to the whole state of South Carolina.

I still wake up each morning not believing the fact that I am a title holder and that I am going to be competing for Miss South Carolina! I want to not only do my best at state and make myself and my family proud, but I want to make the whole town of Williamston proud! And I cannot ever forget to give God all the glory for the talents He has blessed me with and the paths that He has made for me and the wonderful people that He has surrounded me with, Thank You God!

~Holly R. Whatley