USC Pageant Suspended Over Alleged Mismanagement and Harassment

Background and Suspension of the Miss Game Gamecock Pageant Club

A student group at the University of South Carolina, responsible for organizing the annual Miss Gamecock pageant, has faced severe consequences after being found guilty of theft and fraudulent activities. According to internal documents obtained by a local news outlet, the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club was suspended from campus for two years starting March 4, 2025. This decision came following an investigation conducted by the university's Leadership and Service Center. A letter sent to the club by Maureen Derrick, the director of student conduct and academic integrity, stated that the organization is not allowed to return to any USC property without written permission.

The university’s police department is currently investigating the club, as confirmed by a spokesperson. The Miss Gamecock Pageant is an event organized by and for university students, aiming to empower women. Winners of the pageant receive scholarships worth thousands of dollars and have the opportunity to compete in the Miss South Carolina pageant, which can lead to participation in the national Miss America competition.

Following the annual Miss Gamecock Pageant held on January 25, the club was found responsible for allegations of theft, fraud, and failure to meet financial obligations. According to the letter, funds collected through a student's personal Cash App account were deposited into an individual student's bank account instead of being transferred to the organization. At the time of the reported mismanagement or during a meeting with the Office of Student Conduct, the money had not been transferred.

Derrick noted that the current and former presidents of the club claimed they did not have access to the bank account. Instead, an off-campus advisor was reportedly in charge of the account. While the identities of the current and former presidents and the advisor were not disclosed, another document revealed that Alicia Gibson-Robinson, the current director, was the one managing the bank account. Gibson-Robinson could not be reached for comment.

Another individual, whose name was redacted in the letter, admitted to using the club's funds for personal expenses after the money was deposited into her account. However, the exact amount of money involved or how much was missing remains unclear.

No individual club members were disciplined, and all members were permitted to continue attending classes. Initially, the USC police department closed a criminal investigation into the group, but the case was recently reopened, according to a university spokesman. The State has requested investigative reports from the department.

Financial Mismanagement and Missing Funds

The Miss Gamecock Pageant Club collected annual fees from its members—$75 for those competing in the pageant and $20 for those simply involved in the group. Contestants were also required to pay $100 for "ad pages" and raise between $100 and $450 for a fundraiser. Additionally, the organization received support from local businesses, including one that provided checks for up to $2,500.

While the exact amount of missing money was not specified, screenshots of receipts showed at least $2,731 exchanged during the 2023-24 pageant season and at least $2,975 during the 2024-25 season through the Cash App account. Notes obtained by The State indicated that the account used to collect funds was empty, with at least $10,000 missing.

Byron Thomas founded the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club in 2015 while he was a student. He later became a Cayce city councilman and remained as a local executive director for nearly a decade. Due to its affiliation with the Miss South Carolina and Miss America pageant circuits, the club was an official nonprofit that had to file taxes.

In November 2024, Thomas emailed the university about potential financial improprieties, raising concerns about a student who collected dues but did not report the funds to an accountant and then became unreachable. Thomas expressed worries about "fraudulent activity," noting that the organization was already late in submitting financial statements to the state and that pageant winners had not received their scholarships. The university contacted the student about Thomas’ concerns.

One document suggested that Thomas may have reported someone for $10,000 in tax fraud. The State was unable to reach Thomas for comment.

Complaints About Mismanagement and Lack of Integrity

The Leadership and Service Center received another complaint in February 2025 from a student who raised concerns about the club’s financial practices. She paid $75 to join the group but never received the promised headshots and there was no scheduled date for the pageant as of winter break. She quit the group and asked for her money back.

Another student who participated in this year’s pageant wrote to the university about financial mismanagement, favoritism, bullying, and unethical practices. They had invested at least $3,000 and wanted to drop out but felt stuck. Two other students later visited the Leadership and Service Center to discuss their concerns in person, sharing multiple instances of fund mismanagement and pressure to raise money.

They also mentioned that the audience could vote for the "people's choice" award by depositing funds, but it was unclear who collected the money or how. The pageant, which had previously been free to attend, cost $20 for the general public and $10 for students this year.

A parent also submitted a complaint to the university, expressing concerns about the pageant being misrepresented and managed by a student with no oversight. They criticized the unprofessional handling of money and the lack of services advertised. The parent also noted that the pageant date was announced only days before the event.

Marc Shook, the dean of students, encouraged the parent to file a report with the Office of Student Conduct and informed them that their email would be shared with law enforcement. Shook emphasized that the university was taking the matter seriously and that both the police and the Office of Student Conduct were gathering information.

Allegations of Bigotry, Racism, and Deceit

Additional complaints about the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club included allegations of abusive and predatory behavior, racism, and a lack of ethics within the organization. One student reported being laughed at multiple times during a community service initiative video, with "everyone of color" being made a spectacle.

Students who discussed their complaints in person alleged "bigotry, racism, and deceit," according to a report obtained by The State. Another March email from a student described being personally affected by the behavior and treatment during the pageant alongside other women of color. They expressed concern about the organization continuing to function publicly without accountability.

University officials encouraged students to submit reports of their experiences. As of August 13, no official civil rights complaint had been filed, according to a university spokesman.

According to a parent, a pageant leader also behaved unethically and with bias, selecting winners for awards that she later competed against in the same pageant circuit. The parent described the situation as a disgrace, citing the emotional harm caused to the participants.

Documents do not provide further details about the alleged bullying or discrimination. After being reprimanded, the organization continued to operate as if no disciplinary action had taken place, promoting events on social media and engaging with the public.

The club may be reinstated on March 4, 2027. Until then, the future of the Miss Gamecock pageant remains uncertain.