COLUMBIA, S.C. — Davis Wash, 23, has been crowned the new Miss South Carolina.
Wash grew up in Edgefield, South Carolina, where she started competing in pageants at four years old. She says she has always dreamed of being crowned Miss South Carolina.
"I was the little girl sitting on my parent's floor watching Miss America from as early as I can remember," Wash said. "Now, the concept of me being on that stage and little girls looking at me is powerful. I think I have to ground myself in that, knowing that while I'm nervous and I'm running around, I'm also still that little girl, and there's a sense of peace in that, and knowing that I have the ability right now to change a lot of people's lives. I'm excited about that."
Wash was formerly crowned Miss Clemson for the 2024 year. While in this role, she made it her mission to reach out to families dealing with the incarceration of one or both parents. She partnered with organizations like Proverbs226 to help have reuniting ceremonies for children and their parents.
She says the new crown will help her continue this work.
"I am truly humbled and honored to be able to take that to the next level. I've already partnered with the most incredible nonprofits, like Proverbs226 and Raleigh Readers. I plan on expanding the work I've already started as Miss Clemson and taking it to the next level as Miss South Carolina," Wash said.
Her reign as Miss South Carolina also allows her to compete in the Miss America pageant. The last native South Carolinian woman to win Miss America was Kimberly Clarice Aiken of Columbia, South Carolina, in 1994. This would mean if Wash wins the Miss America crown in January, she will be the first in 30 years.
You can follow her journey here on her Instagram page.