News Summary
The 2025 Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals will take place at Columbia’s Township Auditorium, featuring 26 talented contestants. This highly anticipated event includes interviews, talent showcases, and a chance to win a $12,500 scholarship. As the competition concludes, the spotlight will also be on the upcoming Miss South Carolina Pageant. The event highlights the dedication and skills of young women from across the state.
Columbia – The excitement is building as the 2025 Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set to take place on Friday at Columbia’s Township Auditorium. This anticipated event marks the culmination of a week-long competition featuring 26 talented teens, all vying for the coveted state title and the opportunity to represent South Carolina at the Miss America’s Teen competition later this year.
The finals event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will showcase various segments where contestants will demonstrate their skills in areas including interview, talent, evening gown, and fitness. Each contestant earned their spot in this prestigious competition through local contests conducted across the state, spanning from the Lowcountry to the Upstate.
As participants prepare for the finals, they set their sights on succeeding Mary Elle Marchant, the reigning titleholder who represented Miss River Bluff’s Teen in 2024. Marchant, a gifted dancer and recent graduate of River Bluff High School, wowed audiences last year with a lyrical dance performance to “I Hope I Get It” from A Chorus Line. Her platform, known as #HangUpandHangOut, promotes a message encouraging youth to engage meaningfully with their surroundings by reducing excessive smartphone use.
This year’s competition has already seen preliminary winners announced, helping to create anticipation for the finals. Following all competition events, the judges, who come from diverse professional backgrounds—including real estate, make-up artistry, and clinical psychotherapy—will evaluate the contestants. The winner will not only earn the title but will also receive a $12,500 scholarship and additional prizes to support their educational and public service goals.
The event marks a significant milestone as it represents the 15th consecutive year that the Miss South Carolina’s Teen competition has been held in Columbia. The week-long schedule included events leading up to the finals; contestants participated in a private interview on Monday, a preliminary competition on Wednesday, and a talent showcase on Thursday. The focus of the competition is to highlight essential attributes such as talent, intelligence, leadership, community commitment, health awareness, and relatability among the teens.
The excitement doesn’t end with the finals. Following the Teen Pageant, the Miss South Carolina Pageant will also take place, broadcasting live on Saturday at 8 p.m. across multiple network affiliates, including WCIV ABC 4, WACH FOX 57, WPDE ABC 15, and WLOS MY 40. Over $260,000 in scholarships will be awarded during the pageant, which includes a substantial $60,000 scholarship for the new Miss South Carolina, helping to further educational aspirations for the winners.
Contestants from diverse regions are coming together, including two Dillon County natives, Gracen Grainger and Lea Foster Khalil, who are also competing in the Miss South Carolina pageant. This year’s event promises to bring together young women who exemplify grace, talent, and commitment to their communities, setting the stage for an exciting competition that shines a spotlight on the next generation of leaders in South Carolina.
As the finals rapidly approach, the community eagerly awaits to witness the remarkable talent and spirit of these young women who embody the essence of South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Finalists Set to Shine
- Wikipedia: Miss South Carolina
- The State: Miss South Carolina Competition
- Google Search: Miss South Carolina Teen competition
- WACH: Miss South Carolina’s Teen Competition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Miss Teen USA
- Dillon Herald: Miss South Carolina Pageant
- Google News: Miss South Carolina

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