Anna-Claire "AC" McCarter, an 8th grader from Baldwin County, has earned the title of USA National Miss Alabama Jr. Teen, with a commitment to uplifting young women statewide and nationwide through the promotion of positive empowerment and pageantry.

McCarter, crowned on Jan. 21 in Alabaster, is eager to leverage her newfound platform to advocate for UNM’s INSPIRE platform, which champions volunteer service to enact positive change within communities.

Her initiative, AC for the Arts, will take center stage in her role as USA National Miss Alabama Jr. Teen, focusing on bolstering arts programs in schools and local communities. McCarter plans to extend this program to students statewide and beyond through a variety of educational resources, including lessons, workshops, and materials tailored for students, teachers, and administrators.

“What a joy it is to serve the state of Alabama as the USA National Miss Alabama Jr. Teen this year!” McCarter said. “Representing this organization, advocating for the Inspire Platform, and showing how to live with positive empowerment is such an honor.”

For those interested in participating in USA National Miss, opportunities are available for girls aged 4-25. The national pageant is slated to take place in Orlando, Florida, from July 14-20.

To learn more about USA National Miss, visit www.usanationalmiss.com, and stay updated on the organization’s activities by following its Instagram handle, @usanationalmiss, and its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/usanationalmiss.

McCarter's journey can be followed on Instagram at @annacm09 and @ACfortheArts_. For speaking engagements regarding USA National Miss or AC for the Arts, inquiries can be directed to annaclairemccarter@gmail.com.