Vivienne Fonte: A Local Star Shines Bright
Lexington, SC – In a remarkable display of talent and determination, Vivienne Fonte, a 13-year-old resident of Lexington and 8th grader at Gray Collegiate Academy, has recently captured the prestigious national title of 2024 American United Miss Preteen. Competing under the title of Miss Clemson Preteen, Vivienne not only brought home the national crown but also snagged several awards, including the acclaimed:
- Community Service Award
- Junior Division Spokesmodel Award
- Preteen Color Photogenic and Preteen Print Model
- 1st Runner-Up in Casual Wear
Vivienne’s journey, however, goes beyond beauty pageants and accolades. During her interview with the judges, she bravely spoke about her personal challenges, having been diagnosed with Autism just a couple of years after her birth. Vivienne, who has spent years participating in social skills therapies and support groups, shared how she navigated the difficult waters of being bullied. Her inspiring message is simple yet profound: “progress over perfection” and “your quirks make you uniquely you.”
Empowering Others Through Service
One of the most amazing aspects of Vivienne’s story is her unwavering commitment to community service. Over the next year, she will be representing the values of unity, compassion, and service as part of the American United Miss organization. This year alone, she has already logged over 165 hours of volunteer work, earning her the Gold Presidential Service Award from the White House. Now, that’s a fantastic achievement!
Her extraordinary dedication has not gone unnoticed—Vivienne has received commendations from the South Carolina House of Representatives, the South Carolina Senate, and she is set to be recognized by the Lexington County Council next week for her commitment to the community.
Making a Difference
Among her many projects, Vivienne has donated non-perishables to Local Blessing Boxes, stocked Little Free Libraries, created pampering pouches for LMC Oncology in memory of her beloved Meme, and contributed to hurricane relief efforts in Western North Carolina. Her passion for helping others is contagious and heartwarming!
One of Vivienne’s most personal initiatives, named “Have Faith,” was started after the tragic loss of her cousin, Kimberly Faith Taylor, a victim of child abuse in a well-known South Carolina case. Through this platform, she aims to provide hope and support to foster children, showing them that difficult times do eventually pass. Her efforts include organizing donation drives for essentials like hygiene items and clothing, as well as creating “Birthday in a Bag” kits for foster kids. In a show of bravery, Vivienne even delivered her victim impact statement during Kimberly’s trial.
Community Engagement and Connections
Vivienne also leads “Quarterly Queen Service Days,” which brings together other pageant titleholders to serve the community. Recently, they hosted a delightful Senior Citizen Spa Day where they pampered elderly women, alongside organizing a Back-to-School event to gather school supplies for local Title 1 classrooms. They even recorded reading videos to be distributed in local schools—talk about teamwork!
In her free time, Vivienne enjoys cheering for Gray Collegiate, baking scrumptious treats, singing, fishing, and volunteering with the Columbia Junior League. She remains a devoted family member, always making time to cherish those special moments with her loved ones.
With all her incredible work, it’s clear that Vivienne Fonte is not just a titleholder; she’s a true role model for young people everywhere. By continuing to share her story, she inspires others to believe in themselves and the power they have to make a difference in the world!
