A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor jenna huggins of mount pleasant for her outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to improving children's health in south carolina and to commend her for her dedication to making a meaningful impact in COMMUNITIES across the palmetto state.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Jenna Huggins as a student leader, emerging healthcare advocate, and founder of a growing statewide nonprofit focused on improving children's health outcomes; and

 

Whereas, a junior at Clemson University majoring in business and marketing with a minor in biology, Jenna is a pre-dental student who has demonstrated a strong academic record while actively engaging in campus leadership and community initiatives; and

 

Whereas, she serves as Miss Clemson University as well as Miss Clemson within the Miss South Carolina and Miss America Organization, the nation's largest scholarship organization for young women, through which she advances her social impact initiative, More Than a Smile; and

 

Whereas, through More Than a Smile, Jenna works to expand access to oral health education and preventive resources for children across South Carolina, particularly in underserved communities, recognizing the critical connection between oral health, overall health, and academic success; and

 

Whereas, she has developed a hands-on, scalable outreach model, traveling to elementary schools across the State to provide engaging, age-appropriate education on dental hygiene and nutrition, while distributing "Smile Kits" containing essential supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. She is also partnering with the SHARE Head Start/Early Head Start Program to provide parent education, equipping families with the knowledge and tools needed to support healthy habits at home; and

 

Whereas, through strategic partnerships with organizations such as the South Carolina Oral Health Department, America's ToothFairy, and Henry Schein, Jenna has expanded the reach and impact of her initiative; and

 

Whereas, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving access to dental care, she has raised approximately $5,000 to support preventive and restorative dental services for uninsured children, helping bridge the gap between education and treatment, while also supporting programs such as Give Kids a Smile, and engaging dental professionals across the State in mentorship, outreach, and service delivery; and

 

Whereas, her leadership extends to her involvement at Clemson University, including the Rally Cats Dance Team, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority leadership, the Pre-Dental Club, and numerous service organizations, along with volunteer work supporting the Ronald McDonald House, food banks, and community programs; and

 

Whereas, Jenna aspires to attend dental school and pursue a career in orthodontics, with the goal of continuing to serve communities in need, and has set a measurable vision of reducing untreated tooth decay among children in underserved South Carolina communities by twenty-five percent over the next two years; and

 

Whereas, through her initiative, leadership, and dedication to service, Jenna exemplifies the very best of South Carolina's next generation of leaders, combining compassion, innovation, and action to create meaningful and lasting impact across the State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Jenna Huggins of Mount Pleasant for her outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to improving children's health in South Carolina, and commend her for her dedication to making a meaningful impact in communities across the Palmetto State.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jenna Huggins.

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