CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Porter-Gaud graduate has been named Miss America’s Teen 2026 during a special competition held over the weekend.

Tess Ferm, an 18-year-old from Charleston, was previously named Miss South Carolina’s Teen for 2025 and later participated on the national stage in the 2026 Miss America’s Teen Competition held on Saturday.

Currently preparing to start as a freshman at Furman University, Ferm will receive $30,000 in scholarships and act as a brand ambassador for the Miss America’s Team program.

Ferm is also the winner of the national “Teens in Action” award for her extensive work to support those with food allergies.

She initiated a platform called “Fear to Freedom” inspired by her own severe allergies, through which she has educated over 2,500 students and teachers, and facilitated the installation of epinephrine auto-injectors in more than 10 locations across her school.

Before Saturday’s competition, Ferm was a guest on Get 2 Know, a weekly WCBD+ podcast hosted by Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler. She shared her personal experiences with food allergies and the initiatives she undertakes with schools and restaurants to foster awareness and action.

“I am an advocate for Food Allergy Research Education, which is one of the largest non-profits focused on food allergy awareness. They provide numerous resources and have positively impacted countless lives across the nation. That’s the kind of influence I aim to have, hopefully as Miss America’s Teen; I aspire to extend this mission nationally because, unfortunately, food allergies aren’t disappearing. However, we can emphasize inclusion and empathy,” she mentioned on the program.

Ferm has created public service announcements and crafted thousands of food allergy placemats for local restaurants. She also aims to collaborate with state legislators to propose laws that enhance allergy safety and preparedness in every school.

The competition was held at Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.