The Carolina 12

Sabrina Smith

Getting Real with the Carolina 12

She’s a ten! No, wait she’s a 12, a Carolina 12 that is! As the first selected member of this new brand, Junior Sabrina Smith tells all on her unique experience. “I got started with the “12” back in July when they asked me to do some promotional photo shoots with them,” says Smith. What began as a few glamour shots quickly transpired into the experience of a lifetime. Announced in August, the Carolina 12 was an instant hit at the University of South Carolina. In fact, the Carolina 12 website crashed within the first two days of opening for public voting due to the flood of hits to see the 24 finalists’ photos and biographies.

            In early October, Smith and 11 other female undergraduates from various years and majors were announced as the first class of the “Carolina 12,” a marketing brand which was created by USC business alumnus Phil Yarborough and business graduate student Matt Fry for their newly founded company, the PM marketing group. When the economic fallout in 2009 forced them out of the real estate business, the two entrepreneurs came up with the idea for a local public relations group. Faced with the challenge of promoting themselves as social marketers to potential clients, the two turned to none other than the experts of social marketing themselves; female college students. “We wanted to give back to undergraduates by giving them the opportunity to jump-start their careers, especially considering current economic circumstances and the job market right now,” Fry states, “We really want to expand rapidly and give students the chance to grow with us and take on roles in our company.” Though this is somewhat of a trial year for the “12” Fry and Yarborough both have nothing but high hopes.

            The Carolina 12 consists of USC’s top 12 best looking, most personable and most aspiring women. They are to serve as the faces of PM. The goal is to build the “12” into local celebrities through advertising, social events and a 2012 calendar featuring a different winner for each month. According to PM, each girl will be compensated with a fall scholarship, as well as internship and networking opportunities through all of PM’s future partnerships, events and campaigns. When asked how this experience has impacted her life, Smith chucked, “The work load! Kidding, it’s wonderful but definitely a lot of work at times.” She explains that her duties as a Carolina 12 are much more than “looking good for the camera”. Each girl is expected to keep her own blog consisting of updates on events she will be attending and advertisements for PM’s partnering companies. Along with these duties comes the pressure of being in the lime light. These girls are expected to be role models and act nothing less than ladies at all times.

            “I love the girls I work with and everyone involved; we all come from different backgrounds and our personalities couldn’t be more different, yet we’ve started to become a crazy little family,” Smith says with a smile. Whether they are attending Columbia’s hottest social events or simply hanging out, this wacky little family always has a good time. Smith has been pleasantly surprised with the outcome of her experience thus far, “I feel that in the beginning when we were searching for the other 11 girls there was a misinterpretation of the brand and what they were trying to look for,” Smith explains. She goes on to discuss how there is so much more to the brand and to the girls themselves than superficiality. Each girl brings something different and unique to the table, and I don’t just mean advise on the best lipstick to buy.

            As with anything in life these girls face their share of scrutiny. “All the stuff about “we’re looking for the 12 hottest girls on campus, better than a 10” blah blah blah,” Smith says mockingly, saying that she too found that a little shallow and degrading. However, this is an issue that is being seriously addressed with meetings discussing new ways to market what exactly the brand is, and to put an end to these premeditated assumptions. “We want to make sure people understand that this is not some stuck up, conceited group of girls,” Smith states, “and that we  hink we’re better than everyone else because it is far from that.”

            A personal goal for Sabrina is to reach out to young women, and encourage them to come out of their shell and not be afraid to say, “I am beautiful!” A varsity soccer player all throughout Highschool, Smith knows how to get down and dirty. “You don’t need to cake your face with makeup, or fry your hair with styling products to be a 12,” Smith explains, “you simply need to be confident in who you are, beauty is only skin deep.” During the interview Sabrina sported track shorts, an oversized sweatshirt and as she calls it her infamous “messy bun”. “I am no pageant queen and I am certainly no supermodel, I am just a girl who believes in others but most importantly, I believe in myself,” ends Smith.

            The Carolina 12 is still a work in progress, but is expected to be the next big thing here at the University of South Carolina. You can check out exclusive video interviews and personal biographies with your Carolina 12 on their website. Also keep your eyes pealed for Carolina 12 apparel, coming soon! Each day is a new obstacle and endeavor for the “12” but they are confident and ready for whatever the world throws at them.

Underage Drinking in Females on USC's Campus

Underlying Secrets Behind Underage Drinking in Females

Coming across underage drinking at The University of South Carolina has become as common as coming across a local fast food joint. Despite the recent crack down by Columbia law enforcement on underage drinking in Five Points, the fad still continues. With bars galore within walking distance from the University’s campus the temptation for students to go out and drink is astounding.  As the infamous saying goes, “Everyone’s doing it!” The question is no longer who it has become why? An interview with a group of ten sophomore ladies attending The University of South Carolina revealed the underlying secrets behind this common trend.

What is it that makes alcohol so appealing to these young women in particular? It is certainly not the loads of calories ingested throughout one night of partying, let alone an entire weekend. Each night of the week numerous young women are spotted drinking and hanging out at bars. These girls are not only putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations, but they also face the risk of a trip to the Richland County Detention Center. So, what is it that makes this risk worthwhile? The overwhelming response from these ladies is, confidence.

“It just lightens the mood, makes conversation flow easier and more naturally,” says sophomore Austin Berry as her friends nod in agreement.  Friday and Saturday used to be considered the “party days” now there seems to be a catchy phrase to persuade students to go out and party every night of the week. Among others, some of these phrases are: messed up Monday, tequila Tuesday, wine Wednesday, and the infamous thirsty Thursday. When asked, six out of ten girls said that they go out and consume alcohol more than three times a week. The majority was also in agreement that in their opinion, alcohol was a necessity in order to experience things to the fullest, and to really let lose and have a great time.

            These young women look at drinking as an escape, a vacation from the stress and pressure of reality. “School can be so overwhelming, sometimes it is just nice to go out and let loose with your girls and have a few drinks,” sophomore Elle Kalevas explains. When asked about potential dangers associated with consuming alcohol, the majority of the girls recalled a time when either they or a friend got themselves into a sticky situation after drinking too much. Sophomore Kaley Whims says, “My friends and I always use the buddy system and make sure we are aware of our actions and surroundings.”

            While these young women do not see anything wrong with “a girls night out on the town” they insist that a lady should always handle herself with class and most importantly respect herself and her values. They believe that by taking the proper precautions and looking out for one another the majority of accidents associated with underage drinking can easily be avoided.