Dever Wins 2025 Miss CSU Competition

After five stages of intense competition on Sunday, January 19th, Paisley Dever, a freshman studying psychology, was crowned as the new Miss Charleston Southern University. 

Each round of competition was judged individually and contributed to the contestant’s final score. The stages included a 10-minute interview highlighting the interviewee’s social impact initiative as well as rounds focused on each contestant’s talent, evening gown, and physical fitness. There was also an on-stage question category.

Dever’s social impact initiative, Nobody Stands Alone, allows her to give back to her community by mentoring students, advocating for children in foster care, and participating in ministry to help the unhoused.

“One of my big goals for this year as Miss Charleston Southern University is to start my own homeless ministry within the school,” she said. “They have the same goals and the same dreams that we do, and I’m just really passionate about helping them.”

Miss Dever competed with five other women for the prestigious title of Miss CSU. She won not only the crown but a $1,000 scholarship and a spot to compete in the Miss South Carolina pageant the summer after she’s crowned. 

“It hasn’t really hit me yet that I am going to Miss South Carolina,” said Dever. “I’m sure when the time gets closer, it will, but I want to start preparing myself now.” 

The Miss South Carolina Scholarship organization has been giving back to women for over 80 years. The Miss South Carolina pageant also serves as a preliminary competition for Miss America. 

Other awards given to Miss CSU include an official Miss America crown and sash, $1,000 towards Miss South Carolina wardrobe and a customized crown box.

The first runner-up was won by Shelby Addison, a Sophomore studying education. She was awarded a $300 scholarship. 

Addison was also presented with the Joyce Rea Miss Congeniality Award. The award, named after the founder of the Miss CSU pageant, is accompanied by a $200 scholarship. 

Reagan White won the People’s Choice Award.

The other competing women included Senior Ashley Bodden and Juniors Zemaya Carson and Bailee Steen. 

For over three decades, the Miss CSU pageant has given women opportunities to further their education and prepare them for their futures after CSU. 

Hailey Sparks, Miss CSU 2024, ended her reign tonight and had the privilege of crowning her successor. 

“Tonight, I will close one of the most beautiful chapters of my life,” Sparks said. “Although this is the end of my journey as Miss Charleston Southern University, I am honored to crown the next queen and invite her into the sisterhood!”

Kalin Hutto is a reporter, and Allie Bryant is an editor for Buc News, a student media organization at Charleston Southern University.

Related Stories