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TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF CHESLIE KRYST, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cheslie Kryst on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at the age of thirty; and
Whereas, a dynamic and multifaceted individual with a strong voice and dream for change, Cheslie was an attorney who sought judicial reform, a fashion blogger, an entertainment news correspondent, and had been crowned Miss USA in 2019; and
Whereas, an exuberant youth who originally hailed from Michigan, but moved to the Carolinas as a young child, Cheslie followed her athletic dreams when she attended the University of South Carolina. There, she obtained her undergraduate degree from the business school and competed as a Division I track athlete. She continued her education at Wake Forest University, where she went on to obtain both a law degree and a Master of Business Administration degree. She then went on to become licensed to practice law in two states, and began her professional career in North Carolina, where among other focuses, she was known for conducting pro bono legal work for incarcerated people who may have been sentenced unjustly; and
Whereas, having already established a successful professional career for herself, she went on to compete for the crown in the Miss USA pageant in 2019. Though Cheslie was known by the other contestants for being quiet, funny, and supportive, in the competition she was an outspoken contestant who was unafraid to tackle important, but potentially risky topics in a fashion that spoke to her values and her lived experience. When she eventually won the competition, she became part of a historic slate of women of color who swept at each of the major pageants and who challenged the predominant pageant stereotypes with their victory; and
Whereas, following her pageant win, Cheslie went on to expand her professional outreach. She became a correspondent for the entertainment television show Extra, where she was widely beloved by her colleagues, and she started a fashion blog, White Collar Glam, which catered to the needs of working women; and
Whereas, Cheslie Kryst was loved deeply by those who knew her, whether as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor, or colleague. Regardless of what space she was working in at the time, she was an inspiration and a brilliant light who selflessly served others and worked hard to reimagine old systems and stereotypes. She will, undoubtedly, be greatly missed by all who had the privilege and pleasure of knowing her. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Cheslie Kryst, celebrate her life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Cheslie Kryst.
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