Anna Claire Hay is a Junior at Shiloh Christian High School where she is jumpstarting her collegiate career with concurrent college courses. She is on track to graduate with enough college hours to qualify as a Sophomore. Anna Claire is a member of Shiloh’s competitive and sideline cheer, track, and trap teams. She is an active member of Chick-Fil-A’s Leadership Academy and the City of Springdale’s Youth Council Board. After high school, she plans to attend the University of Arkansas to study pre-med and eventually become a physician.
Anna Claire has taken on a personal mission of leadership and volunteerism through a non-profit she founded, Teens with Integrity. She has dedicated thousands of hours to personally volunteering in her community as well as connecting others to volunteer opportunities. It is her belief that empowering teens and young adults to become effective leaders and active community members can cause a ripple effect of positivity. She took her initiative to the Nation’s capital, meeting with Arkansas Senator’s John Boozman and Tom Cotton to gain support and spread awareness. Anna Claire’s favorite place to volunteer is with the senior citizen’s in her community.
Anna Claire was a recipient of one of the Nation’s top honors for her volunteerism by being named Arkansas’s Top Youth Volunteer of Year in 2019 by Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She represented Arkansas in Washington D.C. at the national conference among other teens from all 50 states as well as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India and Brazil. In addition, she has been named a three-time gold medalist by President Trump for her volunteerism and work with the youth in her community.
Anna Claire has self-authored a children’s book that is currently being published and will be distributed to elementary schools across the state of Arkansas. The book is based on a true story inspired by her brother that addresses bullying and promotes inclusion.
Anna Claire describes herself as kind, consistent, committed, and compassionate to others. She lives by a motto of God first, other’s second and herself third. Anna Claire loves deeply and enjoys time with friends and family, especially lazy Saturday’s with her best friend and sidekick: her Goldendoodle service dog named Snickers. She loves hunting with her dad, running, skiing, knee boarding, and many other outdoor activities.
Anna Claire is an avid traveler and lover of the arts. Her favorite trips include New York City, where she loves going to Broadway shows such as Cats and The Lion King. Orlando is another favorite, she loves the adrenaline of roller coasters and the taste of Butterbeer at Harry Potter World.
She values her family as her biggest support system and is thankful for their unwavering support in all her endeavors. She’s learned in recent years that family isn’t just someone who shares the same last name as you, but is someone in your life that cares about your well-being and happiness more than anything. Anna Claire definitely keeps her family on their toes with her crazy schedule, plethora of activities, undying energy, and funny personality.
Anna Claire emphasizes the importance of living life with a positive attitude, displaying exemplary character, showing the importance of loving those around you, and being comfortable and confident with who you are. During her reign, she hopes to share that bliss every opportunity she gets, and encourage others around her to live boldly, warmly, and bravely. Anna Claire plans to continue to volunteer and expand her political involvement to a national level.
Anna Claire is honored to represent her home state of Arkansas and feels so blessed to work with Vanbros this year. She is confident in her ability to serve the state and will do everything in her ability to make Arkansas proud.
(Photo and bio by Vanbros and Associates)