Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization announces 2025 judges’ panels
June 17, 2025
The Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization has announced the panelists tasked with selecting the next Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen.
The 2025 competition, taking place in Columbia June 21–28, includes interviews and preliminary competitions in onstage question, evening wear, fitness and talent and concludes with Teen Finals on June 27 and Miss Finals on June 28. In between phases of competition, judges will take advantage of the city’s sights and signature hospitality.
“2025 marks the 15th anniversary of Columbia serving as host city, which speaks to the Capital City’s enduring commitment to advancing young women across our state,” said Chaz Ellis, President & CEO of the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization. “We’re grateful for the ongoing partnership with Columbia and look forward to treating our esteemed judges to the warmth and charm that make the city a memorable stop on the road to Miss America.”
This year’s judges bring a diverse range of professional expertise and experience, representing numerous industry sectors and locales from across the United States.
Miss South Carolina 2025 Judges Panel
-Abby Whitener – Professional chef and culinary instructor, Food Network alum; Executive Chef for Houseworth Hotels and Restaurants; director of Miss Arkansas’ Teen.
-Rachel Kroes – Producer, actor, and founder of C2C Casting, the casting agency behind hit reality shows on networks like Netflix, Bravo and MTV.
-Scott Deckert – Film and television actor with more than 50 credits, including Venom and Stranger Things; son of a former Miss Wisconsin.
-Mark Everett – Three-time Olympian and world-record-holding middle-distance runner; founder of Primetime Scouting, helping student-athletes secure college scholarships.
-Dr. Carrie Lee Davis Cousar – Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist, educator, and former Miss South Carolina who placed in the Top 10 at Miss America.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen 2025 Judges Panel
-Jake Callahan – Top-producing real estate agent and former professional makeup artist with a background in luxury cosmetic sales, branding and design.
-Kim Parrish – Television personality and former QVC host; former Miss America’s Teen President; entrepreneur and brand ambassador for global skincare line Crepe Erase.
-Elise Banks-Lovely – Licensed clinical psychotherapist and national mental health advocate; former Miss International and director of Miss Houston.
-Joe Wright – Senior executive at Ernst & Young; named one of Charlotte’s most influential business leaders and a longtime youth mentor.
-Naomi Ladizinsky – Founder of mobile gaming studio Nix Hydra, with 20+ million downloads; Forbes 30 Under 30 and advocate for creative tech for teens.
Since 1936, the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization has been a launching point for careers in public service, entertainment, business, education and beyond. Each year, Miss and Teen participants use the stage as a springboard to amplify their voices, pursue higher education and make meaningful change in their communities while competing for close to $300,000 in scholarships.
The 2025 Miss South Carolina competition finals will air live from Columbia’s Township Auditorium on Sinclair Broadcast Group stations at 8 p.m. on June 28. Preliminary competitions will run June 24-26 and Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals will take place June 27 at the Township Auditorium. For more information, visit miss-sc.org.
