LAURINBURG – Londyn Clark’s can-do spirit should serve her well in her duties as Little Miss Lumbee.
The nine-year-old has 114 titles to her name, but winning Little Miss Lumbee recently was most important to her.
To compete in the pageant, girls had to know about their tribe and its culture.
Clark will proudly tell anyone who will listen that the Lumbee Tribe are called the People of the Dark Water because of their close connection to the Lumber River.
“I will look forward to traveling around Scotland County and the country and teaching kids about my culture and Lumbee Heritage,” Clark said. “I also wanted to win because I would be the first person from Scotland County to win.”
She was also excited to meet the other girls in the pageant. Clark has a two brothers, but no sisters, so she considers the older winners from the Junior, Teen and Miss Lumbee categories her “big sissies.”
The fact that Clark wanted to make new friends and gather big sisters should come as no surprise to those who know her.
“We’re very proud. Londyn is a beautiful girl, but we’re just as proud of her because she’s a sweetheart, a compassionate girl who looks out for her peers,” said Laura Bailey, Clark’s principal at South Scotland Elementary School.
This was Clark’s third attempt at earning her tribe’s Little Miss crown.
He mother, Candice Clark, was ready to let her daughter move on, but Londyn had other ideas.
“Mama didn’t want to do it, but I did; I said if I give up now, how will we know if I could have won,” Clark said.
Her drive shows up in her academics as well. According to Bailey, Clark is a great student and a hard worker.
Clark hopes her determination will encourage other girls. She to not only wants them to compete in the pageant, but to follow their dreams and work hard for what is important to them.
“I want girls to know, don’t give up because God will lead your dreams and your paths and you can do things with hard work,” Clark said.
Girls in the competition are judged based on knowledge of the tribe, their ability to answer an interview question, talent and beauty. Girls also had to model traditional Lumbee regalia.
Clark’s talent is dance and she was particularly proud to show off her needle move during her jazz performance.
Clark is the daughter of Candice Clark and Christopher Smith.
Clark will make appearances at schools to share culture and represent the Lumbee tribe at the pow-wows and gatherings of other tribes one of which is the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She has won a $1,500 annual stipend, a wardrobe from Ella and Company Boutique and professional photos by Richard Mathis. Travel expenses and entry fees to events are paid by the Lumbee Regional Development Association.
