WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Samantha Clark, native of Lewiston, was crowned National Miss 2015 on Aug. 8 at an Evening in Paris-themed show in Willamsburg, Va.

As National Miss 2015, Clark will travel and promote the pageant system as well as her platform of “The Crown C.A.R.E.S — Inclusion: Bridging the Gap for the Disabled,” encouraging women and girls to continue to grow and advance in personal and career goals while acting as role models in their communities.

Clark, daughter of Sheri and Kevin Clark, grew up in Lewiston. She is a sophomore at Wheelock College in Boston where she majors in elementary education. Clark is aiming for a a double major in either humanities with a focus in literature or developmental psychology. Before entering college, she danced for 15 years and also enjoys Pilates and yoga. She is described as an avid reader.

Clark has competed in pageants for about six years and has traveled the country, competing nationally. She placed in the Top 15 as Miss Maine High School 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, and was first runner-up in Miss Maine’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in 2011 where she won the photogenic award, community service award and essay award.

More recently at the National Miss Teen, Miss, Ms. and Mrs. Maine Pageants, Clark won overall interview, evening and fashion awards. Her platform is “The Crown Cares,” and through the Unite against Bullying Organization, she is working towards spreading awareness of bullying and harassment prevention and advocating safe and respectful environments in and out of schools.