Written By: Emmitt Murray & Bertram Rantin
Madigan Berry credits a wide range of “ingredients” for the person she is today.
“My family, teachers, teammates, coworkers, coaches, friends, favorite TV and book characters – even those with whom I am not particularly fond – all contributed to the person I have become,” Berry recalls.
So, when the former Andrews High School student considers what would be her theme song, she points to the classic 1970s Dr Pepper soft drink commercial theme song, iconic for its lyrics, “I’m a Pepper. He’s a Pepper. She’s a Pepper. We’re a Pepper. Wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too?”
The jingle, famously used in Dr Pepper commercials throughout the 1970s, was Berry’s response to the South Carolina State Fair’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship program’s 2024 essay prompt: “If you had a theme song, what would it be and why?”
Now, a freshman at Clemson University, Berry was one of 53 college students across the state to be awarded one of the State Fair’s Ride of Your Life scholarships last year. The fair annually provides more than $500,000 in scholarships to South Carolina students.
Berry used her essay to relate the 23 different flavors that create Dr Pepper to the compilation of people in her life who make her who she is.
“No one is defined by a single person in their life,” she said. “Just as Dr Pepper is not solely defined by one flavor, I am not solely defined by one person’s influence or one characteristic. Instead, I am a sum of all the lessons, love, and support that I have received from the people around me.”
Berry added that just like the soft drink’s unique taste, which not everyone enjoys, not everyone will appreciate or understand who she is, and she said she is okay with that because she has learned being herself is more important than seeking the approval of others.
“Just like the soda’s devoted fans, I have my own circle of people who appreciate me and love me for who I am… a Pepper,” she said.
Berry said she was both ecstatic and relieved when she learned she had received the scholarship.
“Now more than ever, college can be a huge financial burden on potential students and families. Being a recipient of this scholarship was and is an absolute honor, as well as a blessing,” Berry said.
Berry heard about the Ride of Your Life Scholarship from a prior recipient’s parent. She notes that she has always loved attending the fair with her family, which made it a no-brainer that she wanted to apply.
She says she didn’t know before applying that the proceeds from the fair supported the scholarship program.
“Now, knowing that a large part of the proceeds from the State Fair goes towards helping so many college-bound South Carolina seniors, I am an even larger fair fan,” she said.
The South Carolina State Fair’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship annually provides 50 new scholarships to South Carolina high school students seeking to pursue higher education at any public or private college. A $34,000 donation from State Fair partner, Circle K, has increased the number to 53 recipients each year.
To learn about applying for this year’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship, visit scstatefair.org/scholarships.
To watch an original Dr Pepper commercial, visit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2F9dB26tc
