Feb. 15, 2006

Columbia, SC – The University of South Carolina is proud to announce today the reigning Miss South Carolina, Erika Grace Powell, will sing the National Anthem at the South Carolina-Kentucky men’s basketball game on Sat., Feb. 18.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early. Because the game will be televised nationally on CBS with Dick Enberg and Clark Kellogg making the call, the national anthem will be performed at 1:20 pm with the tip-off set for 1:30 pm.

She will also be available for autographs and photos at halftime in the atrium of the Colonial Center (above the ticket office).

Miss South Carolina, a junior vocal performance major at Furman University, recently
competed at the Miss America pageant where she was the Preliminary Talent Winner
and finished in the top 10 at the pageant. She wowed all the judges by singing “Time to Say Goodbye”.

At the Miss South Carolina competition she was received the Miss South Carolina Overall Talent Award as well as Talent and Swimsuit Preliminary Awards and Scholarships at Miss South Carolina.

Her ultimate ambition is a performance career in theater, concert halls, and recording venues worldwide and her platform issue is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Through Mentoring.