A Lexington native is the new Miss South Carolina USA 2021.
Marley D’Lynn Stokes who won the title is a former Miss SC Teen USA winner.
She is a licensed phlebotomist who has spent much of the pandemic administering covid-19 antibody tests.
Phlebotomists draw blood for lab tests, transfusions or donations.
In 2019, she attended the Makeup Forever Academy in New York City and also works part-time as a makeup artist.
Since being diagnosed in elementary school with learning disabilities, she has made it her mission to share her story with elementary schools.
She encourages children to express themselves through her “Crayons for Kids” program. 
“Crayons for Kids” began as a middle school community service project and now is shared with children throughout South Carolina.
According to her wbe site:
• At River Bluff High School, she was a captain of the varsity cheerleading team and helped lead them to win the AAA SC state championship her junior year.
• One word that she says describes her is determination. Marley has always been aware that hard work is necessary in all that one chooses to do
• She has modeled at the Atlanta Apparel Mart and the Chicago Merchandise Mart for such pageant and prom designers as Sherri Hill, Tony Bowls, and Jasz Couture. 

• She has been featured in ad campaigns within Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue Prom
• In her spare time, she has a love for golf, often playing with her father. 
She has also honed some her skills in ax throwing, archery and working out.
• She trained in dance for more than 10 years in New York City with the Rockettes, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway.
You can make donations to her cause in Lexington at South Carolina Dance Company, 1332 N. Lake Drive, or Clean Juice Lexington, 5230 Sunset Blvd Unit F.
For details on what to donate, email Marley.CrayonsForKids@gmail.com.

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