Crowned with a Purpose: Miss Lander Plans to Make Service Her Mission

The title of Miss Lander 2026 for Caroline Grace Brunson, of North Augusta, represents more than the opportunity to wear a sparkling crown and sash. It is a platform for making a difference in the lives of others.

A freshman nursing major at Lander University, Brunson brings a passion for community service and advocacy to her new role. The mission is deeply personal. After losing her beloved grandmother to colon cancer, Brunson turned her grief into a determination to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection and prevention.

Now as Miss Lander, Brunson hopes to use her voice, her crown and her commitment to service to inspire others and help save lives.

“Colon cancer awareness is something that is very personal to me because I dedicated my social impact mission to my grandmother, Toni Brunson. She was my very best friend and my biggest role model. She was my biggest cheerleader, supporting me in everything that I did. Losing her has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced,” she said. “She had the biggest heart, and she did everything in her power to make sure the people she loved felt cared for, supported and special.”

To honor her grandmother’s kindness and generosity, “I want to help bring awareness to a disease that affects so many families. I hope to encourage people, including young people, to learn more about colon cancer, understand the importance of early detection and have conversations with their families about their health,” said Brunson, who was crowned by Haleigh Tomlin, Miss Lander 2025.

“I know how important education and awareness can be. I want to turn something that has brought my family so much heartache into something that can help other families.”

Pageant Honors Students’ Achievements

In addition to Brunson, eight other contestants with extensive backgrounds in community service and campus activities competed for Miss Lander, a preliminary competition for Miss South Carolina.

First runner-up was Keyonna Morgan, of Columbia, a junior psychology major who is actively involved on campus as a member of the Black Student Union, Student Government Association and LepUtations, a Lander dance team.

Second runner-up was Autumn Lockhart, a senior education and Spanish major. Lockhart also was named Miss Congeniality and earned the Social Impact Award, which recognizes a contestant for her commitment to making a meaningful difference in her community through advocacy, volunteerism and public service.

Savannah Vertucci, of Graniteville, received the Talent Award. She is a sophomore psychology major, with a minor in child and family studies.

The People’s Choice Award, voted on by the Bearcat community and a contestants’ family and friends, was presented to psychology major Christine Johnson, a sophomore from Charleston.

Pageant contestants also included Megan Wachs, of Abbeville, a sophomore pre-medical major, as well as Alana Williams, a sophomore early childhood education major; Gabrielle Craft, a senior English major; and Madison Morant, a junior majoring in elementary education, all from Columbia.

“An Incredible Honor”

Although she only has been part of the Lander campus for about three months, Brunson said she is grateful for the opportunity to represent a university that has already become such a special part of her life.

“Being crowned Miss Lander University is such an incredible honor, and it is something I will cherish forever,” she said. “I hope to use this year to encourage other young women to step outside of their comfort zones, believe in themselves and realize that they are capable of so much more than they may think.”

With little time to adjust to wearing her crown, Brunson is making plans for the 2027 Miss South Carolina Pageant. “I am so excited for the opportunity to represent Lander,” she said. “I am looking forward to growing as a person, continuing to advocate for my social impact mission and representing my university to the best of my ability. I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me along the way, and I am excited for this next chapter!”

The Miss Lander Pageant was sponsored by Lander’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education, in partnership with the Office of Campus Engagement.

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