(Sept. 9, 2015) — This Sunday, the University of Kentucky community will tune in to see one of its own compete for the title of Miss America. Vocal performance and political science sophomore Clark Janell Davis is currently competing in preliminary competitions for the coveted title in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The pageant finals will air live 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, on ABC.

In addition to watching Davis compete for the crown, Big Blue Nation can vote for Davis to be selected as America's Choice in the pageant. Individuals can vote daily for one contestant to be named America's Choice through Sept. 10 via social media. On Facebook, type both Kentucky and #MissAmericaVote into your Facebook status and publish to your Facebook page. On Twitter, tweet or retweet a post with Kentucky and #MissAmericaVote in the text. 

To be qualified for the Miss America Pageant, Davis, competing as Miss Horse Capital of the World, won the Miss Kentucky Pageant held in July, at the Singletary Center for the Arts. This was the first time Davis ever competed in the state pageant.

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in scholarship assistance.

A native of Lexington, Davis is the daughter of Ginger and Jonathan Davis. Davis's personal platform issue focuses on raising awareness about dyslexia, a condition she was diagnosed with as a child. For her talent performance, she will sing. In the Miss Kentucky Pageant, she performed the George Gershwin classic "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess."

As Miss Kentucky, Davis received scholarships and use of a new Lexus during her year of service. Also as part of her title, she serves as the spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Kentucky Proud program, which encourages consumers of all ages to purchase products produced in Kentucky. Davis delivers this message to all age groups in schools throughout the Commonwealth.

As a performer, Davis most recently appeared in UK Opera Theatre's production of "It's a Grand Night for Singing!," where she had a solo in the show's performance of music from the musical "Ragtime."