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'They’re why I have this motivation:' 2019 Miss South Carolina says teachers gave her her passion

Lexington native Morgan Nichols is the new Miss South Carolina and pride of the Midlands.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lexington High School Graduate Morgan Nichols was crowned Miss South Carolina Saturday night.

Nichols is also a 2019 Clemson University graduate who majored in Genetics and advocates for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. Nichols was also Miss Clemson until winning Saturday night. 

“The people of Lexington are some of the most special people I’ve ever met. They are my support system, they really showed out this week at Miss South Carolina, I mean I could hear them out in the audience," Nichols laughs, "They made me the person I am today, and specifically my teachers in Lexington," Nichols shares, "my teachers are truly why I entered into the sciences, they’re why I have this motivation to make an impact on my state, and for that I am so appreciative of them.”

After deciding to study genetics in school, Nichols family found out her dad had cancer.

Credit: Morgan Nichols
Morgan and her father.

"Of course 'cancer,' that's a scary word for any loved one to go through," Nichols shares, "I was with him every step of the way, especially when he had to undergo surgery. After that, I really felt called to grow the sciences, to grow the STEM in our state. And that is ultimately what I'm setting out to do in my year of service this year." 

Nichols says she also wants to use her role as Miss South Carolina to join in this era of women empowerment. 

“Especially the people of the Midlands and the women of the Midlands because that’s, you know,  where I’m from, where my heart lies, and so that’s really what I want to share with those women who are in the Midlands, to follow their passions and just speak their voices.”

The next step for Morgan Nichols is Miss America which will air on September 9th. 

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