Miss SC competition pushed to June 2021 due to coronavirus
With this year’s Miss America competition postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization announced it would do the same on Tuesday, postponing its next competition until June 2021.
The competition, which crowns Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen, had already been postponed from June to late July and early August because of the pandemic.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our candidates, their families, our competition volunteers, production team members and our South Carolina Princesses and Princes,” said Erin Gambrell, chair of the board for the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization, in a statement. “We had already delayed the state competitions until August 1st but feel it is best to wait until next year so we are aligned with the plans of our national organization,”
The Miss America Organization, which organizes the national competition, had recommended that the states postpone their competitions as well in announcing their decision.
In the meantime, last year’s winners will continue to hold their titles until new champions are selected. Morgan Nichols is the reigning Miss South Carolina, and Kellan Fenegan is the reigning Miss South Carolina Teen.
Local titleholders will also retain their titles and be allowed to be compete in their current categories, regardless of their age during the 2021 competition. National age and eligibility requirements are also being modified given the circumstances.
“Our local candidates are the heart and soul of this organization, and we have been pleased with their overall reactions to this change,” said Ashley Byrd, president of the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization, in a statement. “This gives them more time to work on their social impact initiatives, make appearances in their communities and prepare for next year’s competitions.”
More than $200,000 in scholarships is distributed in the local and statewide competitions, with Miss South Carolina winning a $60,000 scholarship.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 6:07 PM.
