The Miss South Carolina competition chooses the state of South Carolina's representative in the Miss America pageant. The pageant began in Myrtle Beach, then moved to Greenville in 1958 and remained there until the 1990s. In 1995, the pageant returned to Myrtle Beach where it remains today. Miss South Carolina is the official state beauty title. It is a role that brings with it many responsibilities including serving as a spokesperson for the state's tourism industry. The winner also receives a crown made from silver coins that are sold by the mint to raise money for charity. The first Miss South Carolina pageant was held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on July 16, 1957. The winner was 15-year-old Laurel Ann Wilson from North Charleston. She received a $100 gift certificate from Dillard's and a modeling contract with the Wilton Company. There have been nine other women who have held the title since then. They include: Yvonne Bickham Johnson (first black woman to win), Linda Dillman (first woman from Georgetown County), Shari Spence (youngest person to hold the title), and Lindsey Stirling (first transgender contestant). The current Miss South Carolina is 22-year-old Taylor Steele of Spartanburg.