Former Miss South Carolina winners dish on life then and now

Saturday, the current Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt will pass her crown on to one lucky woman who will go on to compete for the title of Miss America.

And while the reign of Miss South Carolina (and Miss South Carolina Teen) is a year, the affect of winning that crown lasts a lifetime.

Just ask these former queens. We did.

From competing in the pageant to winning the title to a return to the real world, here’s what five former Miss South Carolina winners had to say.

Miss South Carolina 2001: Jeanna Raney Beasley

Q: How did you get started competing in pageants?

A: I did a few pageants as a child, but not until I was a teenager did I start competing regularly. I wasn’t interested in the Miss America Organization ... I did not understand the platform part of the competition, but that all changed my freshman year at USC when my mother committed suicide. My mom’s death shocked our entire town of Inman. The week of my mother’s death I desperately wanted to prevent suicide from happening in other families. I knew that God had given me this platform. I knew that if I became Miss South Carolina, I would be given the opportunity to share my mother’s story. Exactly one year after my mother’s death, I won the Miss Greater Greer Pageant, which qualified me for Miss South Carolina.

Q: What went through your head when your name was announced as the winner?

A: Pure bliss and excitement! My dad and I had worked tirelessly, making sure I was prepared for every phase of competition. My goal after winning Miss South Carolina was to educate the people of South Carolina about suicide.

Q: What have you done since winning the title?

A: After my year of service as Miss South Carolina, I went back to school to finish my degree in media arts at USC. I now live in Charleston with my husband, JJ Beasley, and our three children: Bryce, Brock, and Annabelle. I am a photographer, specializing in pageant headshots and fashion photography. I also speak a few times a year, sharing my mother’s story and my testimony in churches. Through the years, God has given me other platforms to share, such as infertility and miscarriage, financial hardships, and adoption. God continues to write my story, and I continue to share it!

Q: How did winning the crown change your life?

A: Participating in pageants helped me in every aspect of my life. Pageantry trains a young girl to be her best self. Staying physically fit, preparing for the political private interview, learning to style yourself, having poise on stage, and speaking in public are all areas of self-improvement that shape a contestant into later becoming a successful woman.

Q: What advice would you give to this year’s contestants?

A: I always like to make sure contestants know what they are signing up for when they enter a local pageant. I feel girls sign up for a pageant because it sounds glamorous … and the pageant is glamorous! But, that is only one week of the year. The other 51 weeks are about working hard to serve the people of South Carolina. The next Miss South Carolina only has one year to make a difference … make everyday count!

Miss South Carolina 2016: Rachel Wyatt

Q: How did you get started competing in pageants?

A: I became involved with the Miss America Organization as an outlet to pursue my love for dance and ended up representing South Carolina at the national level and serving as the Miss America Organization’s Teen titleholder in 2013.

Q: What went through your head when your name was announced as the winner?

A: My mind was completely blank on stage as it all unfolded. I knew the job I had signed up for and the challenges to come, so I was very thankful, excited and ready to dive into preparation for Miss America.

Q: What have you done since winning the title?

A: My year of service has been equal parts challenging and rewarding. This job has grown me as an individual, given me the most amazing relationships and memories, and has forever left an impact on my heart. I will crown our 81st Miss South Carolina on June 24. In December I will complete my final semester at Clemson University with a degree in communication studies. I then plan to earn a master’s degree in communication disorders and speech therapy.

Q: How did winning the crown change your life?

A: Being Miss South Carolina has opened countless doors, given me the freedom to pursue higher education debt-free, instilled within me the value of putting others before myself, allowed me to share my love for dance, and has made me a part of an incredible sisterhood. Those who make up the Miss South Carolina Organization will forever be my family!

Q: What advice would you give to this year’s contestants?

A: Embrace the pressure, remember your “why,” and forget the variables that are out of your control. Trust in God’s divine plan and be thankful for this journey. Enjoy the process and appreciate who you’ve become along the way.

Miss South Carolina 1985: Sherry Thrift Bradshaw

Q: How did you get started competing in pageants?

A: My eyes were always on the Miss SC Crown and Miss America since I was a child. Claudia Turner Wells, Miss South Carolina 1970, spoke at our church when she was the reigning Miss SC and first runner-up to Miss America. That is where the dream was embedded in my heart. But it was my mom, dad and sister who were the big support in believing in me to take that leap of faith.

Q: What went through your head when your name was announced as the winner?

A: My heart almost leaped out of my chest. “Gratitude” was the first thing that ran through my head. I, just like everyone else who competes, had worked countless hours in working out, reading, and practicing for the chance to win the crown. I was incredibly thankful.

Q: What have you done since winning the title?

A: I married after I gave up the crown and have been married for almost 31 years; we have three children. Raising our children was the hardest-best job I have ever had. Since they are now grown I have been led by God to write books, blogs, travel and speak … really to pick up where I left of when I relinquished the crown. My simple mission statement in my book, “The Back 9,” is to encourage others to lead a life of significance. I am currently finishing my third book entitled, “Stroked by God.” A true story that our family experienced this past January when our oldest son, Brewer, 27, had a stroke. My hope for the book is that it will really encourage others in their faith and their prayer life.

Q: How did winning the crown change your life?

A: It instilled in me a concrete belief that you can forever step and achieve. Being Miss South Carolina gave me a life-long job. Once Miss South Carolina, you are “forever” an ambassador for the program and your state.

Q: What advice would you give to this year’s contestants?

A: That when they walk in a room … it is not, “here I am” but “there you are.” It’s a public relationship job and it requires patience and kindness and a willingness to be interested in others.

Miss South Carolina 2012: Ali Rogers FauntLeRoy

Q: How did you get started competing in pageants?

A: Winning my high school pageant piqued my interest in competing, and the Miss Laurens County/Miss Laurens County Teen competition just happened to be brought back that following spring, which introduced me to the Miss South Carolina Organization. To be honest, I had never watched a Miss America competition until I won Miss South Carolina Teen my senior year of high school.

Q: What went through your head when your name was announced as the winner?

A: There’s so much happening ... so many people and so many pictures that it was difficult to actually process anything going through my head. I do distinctly remember, though, a moment on stage when it hit me – “I am going to compete for the title of Miss America ... whoa.” My year was beyond incredible. I was speaking at 15-20 events a week and traveling 5-8 hours a day to make those appearances. It was such an honor to serve the state of South Carolina, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities I had to make a difference, especially for children with disabilities.

Q: What have you done since winning the title?

A: After my year I went back to Clemson to finish my senior year. Upon graduating I moved to Dallas, Texas, for an internship with the College Football Playoff, which led to a full-time job with the Fiesta Bowl in Scottsdale, Arizona. I became Mrs. FauntLeRoy in April of 2016 and after two years of living in Arizona, my husband, Wills, and I are excited to be moving back to the Carolinas!

Q: How did winning the crown change your life?

A: The impact my year as Miss South Carolina has had on my life is beyond words. Relationships I’ve made through the Miss America Organization have provided countless opportunities far beyond the pageant world, even playing into my career in the college football industry. Far more important than the networking opportunities, though, are the opportunities I had to truly make a difference throughout the state.

Q: What advice would you give to this year’s contestants?

A: 1) Have fun. Having fun is key to surviving this stressful, tiring, anxiety-ridden week, and let me assure you – this is the most relaxing week you’ll have for a year if you do win the title. 2) Stay true to yourself. While it sounds simple enough, staying true to yourself really is key in not allowing outside distractions negatively impact your experience. Don’t let a pushy local director or a crazy pageant mom (thank goodness I didn’t have either) change who you are or what you do, say or wear on stage. Believe me – the judges will see straight through it. 3) Soak in every single moment. This could be the beginning of the most unbelievable year of your life.

Miss South Carolina 2015: Daja Dial

Q: How did you get started competing in pageants?

A. I actually fell into pageants. My younger cousin competed in Miss Spartanburg Teen and my mom and I went to watch her. After the show two LEDs (local executive directors) came up to my mom and said, “She is beautiful. Please put her in our pageant next weekend.” Seven days later I competed in their pageant and won!

Q: What went through your head when your name was announced as the winner?

A: Well it just wasn’t in my head, it came out of my mouth! I walked down the runway screaming, “Oh my God, Oh my God!”

Q: What have you done since winning the title?

A: I went back to Clemson University to finish my senior year of college. ! I will begin a position as the marketing and communications manager with the Oconee Alliance, an economic development company, later this month.

Q: How did winning the crown change your life?

A: How did it not? In every way possible my life has changed – personally, mentally, and professionally. Since that day two years ago, I have continued to travel the state as a motivational speaker, I have been given opportunities that I never could’ve imagined in television, and I am filled with gratitude to know that I am now a part of the legacy of the Miss South Carolina Organization.

Q: What advice would you give to this year’s contestants?

A: Live in the moment, believe in yourself, and always remember to “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified of them for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Former Miss South Carolina winners dish on life then and now."