The third annual Miss Wofford Scholarship Pageant has concluded with Isabelle Chandler ‘27 taking the crown. Chandler received the $2,000 award on Sunday, Feb. 8 and could not be more excited to begin her duties.
The moment she was crowned Miss Wofford 2026 was nothing short of surreal. Chandler shares how shocked and thrilled she was to receive the great honor of representing the college in this way.
“I was just so amazed by all the different girls in the pageant. Each and every single one was so beautiful and so graceful that I truly believed it was a toss up. I had butterflies in my stomach, and then I was crowned, and it was just so awesome,” Chandler said.
She did not share this excitement alone. Close to 20 family members, sorority sisters, fellow cheerleaders and even professors were all in attendance to support and congratulate her.
Chandler explains how meaningful it was to feel the presence of an audience so filled with love. She hopes to emulate a similar presence in her role as Miss Wofford throughout the year.
Wofford cheerleader, Vice Chair of the Honor Council, member of the Pre-Law Society and Resident Assistant, Chandler’s various campus involvements all contribute to her win, but her heart for service rises to the top.
Inspired by Miss Wofford 2025, Addison Sapp ‘27, Chandler wants to give back to the Wofford community in similar ways. She admires Sapp’s dedication to expanding Miss Wofford’s social media presence as well as her many service initiatives.
“I saw all of the great things she was doing, and how she really developed the title into more of an active role,” Chandler said.
Chandler not only hopes to implement Sapp’s strategies this year, but also seeks to leave her own mark. Having been raised by two educators, Chandler emphasizes her personal connection to empowering young students.
By showing a greater presence in the Spartanburg County public school system, Chandler hopes to provide students with ample resources and encouragement to foster a love for learning.
With the ever presence of technological information and content saturation, another one of Chandler’s personal missions this year is to be more physically present as she seeks to serve the Wofford community.
“I think that’s something that’s very important in an age where everything’s online, and everything’s on social media, to fill that very tangible and visible role,” Chandler said.
As a cheerleader, Chandler understands how meaningful attendance at Wofford events and activities really is, and she wants to serve as a model for that representation.
Additionally, she desires to spread awareness on the plethora of resources the college offers such as the ample access to on-campus mental health and counseling services, encouraging students to find support in the caring and equipped Wellness staff if they need it.
“I want to become a very outspoken Wofford advocate and interact with students and members of the community,” Chandler said.
While her awarded scholarship is greatly valued, Chandler explains that the pageant’s meaning extends far beyond its monetary value. She shares that the most important aspect of the pageant is the role it plays in supporting and empowering women.
“I think that the pageant does a really good job of elevating women and showing them that you can be smart and beautiful, do community service and be involved in athletics. You don’t have to fit one box,” Chandler said.
Exciting things are surely to come from Chandler’s year representing the college as Miss Wofford 2026. Whether it is a basketball game or choral performance, she hopes to be as present on campus as she is able to and further extend that reach within the community.
A great honor and privilege, Chandler does not take her responsibilities as Miss Wofford lightly. She excitedly embraces every opportunity to give back to a community that has done so much for her.
