Baylor student named Miss Texas 2016

Congratulations to Baylor sophomore Caroline Carothers — the newly crowned Miss Texas 2016!

What’s more, Caroline used skills she’s learned and honed at Baylor to advance in the competition. A featured “Golden Girl” baton twirler with the Golden Wave Band, she used her twirling to win the talent award in the preliminary contests. And as a Baylor education major — working to become a middle school math teacher — she’s using her platform to promote an initiative to change students’ attitudes about math. (She’s also helped raise thousands of dollars for breast cancer research through the “Twirling for the Cure” campaign.)

[WATCH the moment Caroline was named Miss Texas]

How in the world does a person manage so many commitments? “They say juggling is a metaphor for life,” Caroline says in her Miss Waco 2015 video, rhythmically tossing and catching three batons. “We’re always juggling something — school, work, family, friends, deadlines, and priorities. Juggling is the result of formulas and gravity, like math and physics, while coming together to create a vision, like poetry. You must focus on the catch, while simultaneously releasing your next baton. You must also trust yourself and your preparation. The baton will always come down.”

Caroline is the second Baylor Bear (and the second Golden Girl) in five years to represent the great state of Texas in the Miss America pageant, the first being Danae Couch, BA ’10, in 2012. Like Danae, Caroline will receive a large scholarship from the program and travel all across Texas, using her title to impact community service matters and address contemporary issues. And of course, Caroline will also compete in the Miss America scholarship pageant this September!

Sic ’em, Caroline!

[9/12/16 update: Carothers finished in the top 7 at the Miss America 2017 competition. Congrats, Caroline!]