Martin and Thomas double up with crowns

By Courtney Warren
Canton Academy (CA) seniors Carter Martin and Maggie Claire Thomas stunned the crowd at the recent Beauty and Beau Who’s Who event by winning not only Most Handsome and Most Beautiful but Mr and Miss Canton Academy. 
“I was shocked. I just couldn’t believe it was a double. We are so proud of her,” said Thomas’ mother Pam O’Cain. 
Known for her sweet disposition, Thomas’ Most Beautiful crown is her third in a row at Canton Academy. She was also crowned the 2021 Homecoming Queen. 
Thomas is a senior and has attended Canton Academy since kindergarten. She is the daughter of Marc and Pam Ocain and Chris Thomas. She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Canton, where she is a member of the youth praise team. Thomas is a member of the Madison County Civinettes, where she serves as the Nursing Home Chair. She was also Miss Teen City of Light 2021. She is Canton Academy’s student body Vice President and 2021 - 2022 Homecoming queen. She is co-captain of the varsity cheerleading team, is a member of the CA softball team, tennis team, track team, basketball team and is a diamond girl for the CA baseball team. She is a three-time UCA All-American cheerleader and a Pin It Forward recipient. She was also invited to try out for the UCA cheerleading staff. The most inspiring person in her life was her Gram; she is now her guardian angel. After graduation, Thomas  plans to attend Mississippi State University and pursue a career in marketing. She says that Canton Academy is absolutely the best school for her. After being diagnosed with dyslexia in early elementary, CA’s Directed Studies program has been amazing. She has overcome her dyslexia and maintained honor roll and academic All-Star status. She was also a representative on the local news speaking about the CA Directed Studies program.
Humbly shaking the hands of the other nominees as his two medals clacked together on the stage, Carter Martin accepted Most Handsome and Mr. Canton Academy. 
Martin is a senior this year. His parents are Shan and Alison Martin. He attends First Baptist Church of Canton and is involved in the youth group there. He plays football, basketball, golf, and runs track. This year, Martin was elected as student body president and is part of the National Honor Society. 
When asked about the most inspiring person in his life he said, “My mom, for sure. She is the person that just does what she is supposed to because it’s the right thing to do. She always works hard and can find the good in any situation, and that’s the way I want people to look at me.”
After high school, he plans to go to East Mississippi Community College, where he will play golf and study physical education. He says that after he gets done with school, he wants to coach kids to be the best that they can be in their sport, and in life. Martin said that CA is the best school for him because he has gotten opportunities to do things in leadership positions that most other schools don’t offer. Martin said that life is what you make it, and his time at CA has taught him a lot about life.
With the final months of their senior year ahead of them, Martin and Thomas are excited to soak up time with their friends and the Panthers before graduation.