SUCCESS
Clark
On August 23, 2021, seventeen-year-old Ania Z. Clark of Ayden, NC won the 23rd Annual Miss Teen Ivy Pearl. The pageant was one of Alpha Kappa Alpha Phi Omega Omega Chapter’s, Annual Scholarship Fundraiser. Ania Clark is the first child in Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Phi Omega Omega history with a developmental disability with Down Syndrome to have ever won this prestige title. Pageant participants were required to raise funds for scholarships, present a talent, model formal wear, donate new to gently worn shoes/eyeglasses to the community. Ania will participate and represent Alpha Kappa Sorority in various community activities and events. Ania’s platform is “Education, Advocacy, Inclusion, Integration, and the Promotion of gainful employment for individual’s who desire to enter into the work arena via trade or a college education. With the support of Ania’s family, business owners, sponsors, friends, teachers, NC/SC elected officials and designated chapter members, Ania raised $10,000.00 to aide in providing financial assistance to eligible high school students who are unable to attend college due to financial constraints and hardships. Per communication with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Phi Omega Omega President, Miss. Angel Reed, the sorority can offer more than one scholarship this school year compared to previous years. Mrs. Clark reported that she is pleased that Ania was one of the contestants in this year’s pageant who contributed and exceeded the Sorority’s 2021 Scholarships goal. Ania is a teen who is “uniquely different” yet with the assistance of her Parents, Tommy, and Susie Clark, Ania is willing to be a change “agent” in her community. Ania’s parents have always instilled in Ania that her disability is a “part” of her, but does not “define” her, Mrs. Clark shared that she reminds Ania daily that with prayer, family support, and her God given “abilities” she can become and do anything she puts her mind to. Ania’s success is a representation of family support perseverance, fortitude ands and other community stakeholders who play a key role in her life. Ania is a Senior and attends South Central High School in
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Pitt County. Ania and her parents are active supporters within Pitt County where they currently reside and Clarendon County (South Carolina) where Mrs. Clark was born and reared. Ania has always been involved in her community. Beginning at an early age and Ania was active and participated in Pitt County Special Olympics Kool Cats Cheer Team, ECU Danceability Rare Twisted Beauty fashion/modeling company, and the Pretty Sweet Bee Mentoring, Program. Ania has partnered with various local businesses that included for profit, and non-profit organizations to raise funds to support inclusion and integration for individual with special needs. Ania’s second largest fundraising efforts is when she raised over $5,000.00 to support Pitt County Special Olympics cheer team with new uniforms and other needed necessities that were not allocated in the organization’s budget. Ania’s identified charity of choice is #Something2Somebody. Ania donates a percentage of her allowance to this organization that feeds the homeless and less fortunate citizens of Pitt County every Sunday at the local Greenville Shelter. Ania, is a loving individual, who enjoys cheering, dancing, modeling, traveling, and spending time with her family. Ania acknowledges all of those who supported her financially, emotionally, and through sponsorship. A special acknowledgement goes to Ania’s Mega Platinum Sponsors: Mr. Chris Godley, owner of Chris Godley State Farm Insurance and The Laticia Hill Godette Foundation/Ministries, CEO, Dr. Laticia Hill Godette!
Her Magazine — November 2021
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