DSU Trustee & Miss Delaware USA Tetra Shockley to Compete in Miss USA 2025 Pageant Friday

Tetra Shockley, DSU Trustee & reigning Miss Delaware USA / Image courtesy DSU

Delaware State University Trustee Tetra Shockley, Esq., will proudly represent the State of Delaware and the Hornet Nation as she competes in the Oct. 24 Miss USA 2025 Pageant. In addition to representing the State and Hornet Nation, she is also representing the entire community of Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country.

Shockley, an attorney, minister, community leader, and DSU alumna, made history earlier this year as the first married woman and mother to be crowned Miss Delaware USA. She is also the only HBCU graduate competing in this year’s Miss USA pageant, proudly representing Delaware State University on the national stage.

With grace and faith guiding her journey, Shockley views this opportunity as more than a pageant title—it’s a purpose-driven platform.

“Competing for Miss USA is more than a dream—it’s a divine assignment,” Shockley said. “It represents the culmination of faith, perseverance, and purpose. For me, this journey is about showing that with God, delay doesn’t mean denial. As a wife, mother, attorney, and minister, stepping onto the Miss USA stage is a testament that no season of life disqualifies you from destiny.”

Shockley’s state costume for the pageant will be inspired by the DSU Hornet, symbolizing the strength, resilience, and unity of the Hornet community. This marks the first time in Miss USA history that the DSU Hornet will be showcased on the national stage, celebrating the legacy and pride of one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“The Hornet represents perseverance, pride, and the power to rise again,” Shockley shared. “My connection to DSU is deeply personal—I once failed out of the University, but I refused to let that be the end of my story. I returned, earned my degree, and now have the honor of serving as a Trustee. Just like the Hornet, I embody determination and purpose.”  

As a proud DSU alumna and current member of the Delaware State University Board of Trustees, Shockley’s story of resilience and redemption reflects the University’s mission to transform lives through access, opportunity, and excellence. 

Beyond the courtroom and the pageant stage, Shockley is the founder of You Are the Crown, a nonprofit organization that empowers women and girls to discover their identity, purpose, and platform for impact. She and her husband, Jerome Shockley, have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of two children, Tierra (18) and Jaden (14).

Delaware State University invites the Hornet community, alumni, and supporters across the nation to tune in and cheer for Trustee Shockley as she competes at Miss USA 2025.

How to Watch:
How to Watch:
The 2025 Miss USA Pageant will be broadcast live from the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST on the Queen Beauty Network.