Daja Dial facts for kids

Daja Breyon Davidson (born March 22, 1993), whose maiden name was Dial, is an American beauty pageant winner. She is from Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 2015, she won the title of Miss South Carolina.

Daja then competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015. She was one of the Top 7 finalists in the competition. Daja Dial is important because she was the third African American woman to be crowned Miss South Carolina.

Daja's Pageant Journey

Starting with Teen Pageants

Daja Dial began her pageant journey in 2010. She was a senior at Paul M. Dorman High School at the time. She was at a pageant supporting her cousin when a director encouraged her to compete.

The very next weekend, Daja entered her first pageant. She won the title of Miss Greater Carolina Teen 2010. After this win, she competed for the Miss South Carolina Teen title. Her special cause was raising awareness about Juvenile Diabetes. For her talent, she sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls. Daja was a Top-11 finalist for the state teen title.

Working Towards Miss South Carolina

The next year, Daja started competing in adult pageants. In 2011, she qualified for the Miss South Carolina pageant as Miss Powdersville. Her cause was "Type 1 & Type II Diabetes Mellitus." She sang "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield for her talent. She was the runner-up to the winner, Bree Boyce.

Daja competed again in the 2012 Miss South Carolina pageant as Miss Lyman. She continued to support "Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." She also performed a vocal song. She did not make it to the Top 16 finalists that year.

In 2013, she competed in the Miss South Carolina pageant as Miss Richland County. Her cause remained "Type I and Type II Diabetes Mellitus." She sang a pop song for her talent. She was named a Top 10 Finalist. At this time, Daja was also a cheerleader for the Clemson Tigers. She won the Miss Clemson University 2013 title. She was the first African American to win this school title.

In 2014, Daja won the Miss Fountain Inn title. She competed in the 2014 Miss South Carolina pageant. Her cause was still "Type I and Type II Diabetes Mellitus." She sang "Believe" for her talent. She won an award for her talent and was named Miss Photogenic. Daja placed second runner-up to the winner, Lanie Hudson.

Becoming Miss South Carolina 2015

On February 21, 2015, Daja was crowned Miss Greenville County 2015. This qualified her for the Miss South Carolina pageant. The pageant took place in June 2015 at the Columbia Township Auditorium in Columbia, South Carolina. Daja was one of 55 contestants.

For her talent, Daja sang "I Believe". This song was made famous by Fantasia Barrino. Her special cause was "Type I and Type II Diabetes Mellitus."

During the on-stage interview, Daja was asked about a sensitive topic. She was asked if certain historical symbols should be removed from the South Carolina State House grounds. Daja answered that it was time for change. She said, "It's a new South Carolina. We have made so much progress and it's time to take it down. As Miss South Carolina, I can lead this state into a new era. And that flag being taken down is representative of that."

Daja won the competition on Saturday, June 27, 2015. She received her crown from the previous Miss South Carolina, Lanie Hudson. Daja is the third African American woman to win the Miss South Carolina title. She earned over $10,000 in scholarship money and other prizes. As Miss South Carolina, she made many public appearances across the state.

Competing for Miss America

As Miss South Carolina, Daja represented her state at the Miss America 2016 pageant. This national competition was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2015.

During the preliminary swimsuit competition, Daja won a $1,000 scholarship. This was for "lifestyle and fitness." In the final televised show on September 13, 2015, she sang Fantasia Barrino's "I Believe" for her talent. During the interview part, she was asked about banning certain types of weapons. Daja placed in the Top 7 finalists. She earned a $7,000 scholarship award from the pageant.

About Daja's Life and School

Daja Dial grew up in Jonesville, South Carolina. She graduated from Paul M. Dorman High School in Roebuck, South Carolina, in 2011. Her father is Darrell Dial, and her mother is Annette Goodwin.

Daja is a student at Clemson University. She is studying health administration.