COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA) — Davis Wash was crowned Miss South Carolina on June 29.

Wash grew up in Edgefield, South Carolina, and began competing in beauty pageants at a young age, previously holding the title of Miss Clemson 2024.

She hopes to continue to inspire others during her reign.

“I just want to take advantage of every second I have and try to make this as big as possible. I know I have a huge responsibility and an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the state that gave me the world, and I want to give back to everyone who helped me get here,” Wash said.

For Wash, giving back means helping children with incarcerated parents and reuniting families, an experience she describes as personal.

“I hope to reach every child in South Carolina who is sitting at home without a loved one there with them because that is a very lonely feeling that I have experienced before. My dad is home now and our family is whole again, but for a lot of kids going through this, that is not a reality,” Wash said.

Wash spends her weekends helping local nonprofits reunite inmates with their children.

“I also have a great partnership with Riley's Readers, a program in South Carolina that records bedtime stories for children from their mothers and fathers in prisons. At night, these sons and daughters have a book that their parents can read to them before they go to sleep,” Wash said.

The title of Miss South Carolina means more to her than just the crown. For her, it's about guiding and empowering youth.

“I know how they feel because I was that kid waiting in the waiting room to see their dad. I want to be a shining example to them and someone they can look up to no matter what obstacle is thrown in their way so they can keep pursuing their big dreams, no matter how scary they are,” Wash said.

Wash will represent South Carolina in the Miss America pageant next year.

If Wash wins the Miss America crown, she would be the first from South Carolina in 30 years.