Sophomore with love of history crowned Miss Lander

GREENWOOD, S.C. – Emma Celeste Gusko, a Teaching Fellows student whose passion for history brought her to Lander University, has a new chapter in her own life’s story.

As the newly crowned Miss Lander 2024-25, Gusko hopes to share her passion for history, instilled in her by her own high school teachers, with a new generation of learners. 

“History is so interesting because it changes from day to day,” said Gusko, a sophomore secondary education major, with a history emphasis. “I want more people to love history and see how interesting it truly can be. I hope to be the teacher who can do that.”

One of seven contestants in the competition, a preliminary pageant for Miss South Carolina, Gusko said, “The Miss Lander title means a lot to me, and I’m very grateful.”

After entering other pageants, Gusko, who was sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Greenwood, said she entered the Miss Lander competition “for fun, to make new friends and to dress up. I wanted to turn around my past experiences with new ones. Everyone did an amazing job, and I feel lucky to have been chosen for the title.”

First runner-up was Addison Elizabeth Davis, a junior exercise science major from Greenwood. Davis was the recipient of the People’s Choice Award, voted on by members of the Lander community. She was sponsored by Uniquely Yours Boutique.

Emma Grace Avant, a junior graphic design major from Simpsonville, was voted Miss Congeniality by the pageant contestants for “her friendliness and kindness throughout the pageant experience.” Sponsored by Lander’s track and field teams, Avant was also the recipient of the competition’s talent award. She sang “She Used to be Mine” from the Broadway musical, “Waitress.”

Other pageant contestants included Kiley Noel Mixon, of Warrenville; Ja’Niyah Talee Miller, of Spartanburg; Emma Claire Williams, of Greenwood, and Sarah Elizabeth Hamson, of Anderson.

As Miss Lander, Gusko said she hopes “to inspire the girls of Lander to step out of their comfort zone and do things they never would think to do, like pageants. I want them to feel like they have a voice, and I want to advocate for the women of Lander. I plan to enter the Miss South Carolina Pageant, and I am so thrilled for the opportunity to do that.”

During the evening gown competition, contestants were asked an on-stage question. When asked what piece advice she would give the next generation, Gusko said, “Be nice to others … what matters first is your heart.”

The competition was sponsored by the Lander University chapter of the National Association for Music Education. The emcee for the event was Lillian Strawn, a Lander alumna and a Student Life coordinator at the University. Musical entertainment was provided by the BarberCats, Lander University’s barbershop quartet.

Lander University President Richard Cosentino congratulates Miss Lander contestant winners Addison Elizabeth Davis, left, first runner-up and the People’s Choice winner; Emma Celeste Gusko, Miss Lander University 2024-25, and Emma Grace Avant, second runner-up, Talent Award winner and Miss Congeniality. Photo by Megan Varner Price.