It was not a normal dismissal at Cayce Elementary this past Friday.

Students lined the halls for a special “send-off rally” for their beloved assistant principal, Ashley Caulder, 32, as she left the building.

Caulder, who is the current Mrs. South Carolina America, walked down the halls of her school with joyful tears and smiles.

While this is not the norm for Friday afternoon dismissal, the students made signs and posters to cheer on Mrs. Caulder at the end of her last day of school before she competes in Mrs. America. Caulder described the send-off rally as genuine and tear-jerking.

“To see these students encouraging me with the same love that we give them, it really touched me,” she said. “They really support me as a part of their family, not just as a staff member.”

She will have a piece of her students with her during the Mrs. America competition.

Caulder said that her students' handprints are featured on her state costume, which will be worn in front of the judging panel.

The West Columbia local has served as the assistant principal of Cayce Elementary for three years. During those three years, Caulder has worked closely with the Special Olympics organization and has worked to achieve Cayce Elementary earning the “Unified Champion School" title.

Her previous experience as a special education teacher enables her passion for inclusion, which she plans to take to the Mrs. America stage as her platform. She desires to shed light on diversity and inclusion, especially for those who have mental and severe disabilities.

“It’s in the fibers of my being, and who I am from day in and day out,” Caulder said. “Thats why I can’t wait to bring this to the Mrs. America stage in Las Vegas.”

Her work, her passion and her platform are all a part of who she is and the daily tasks she carries out as assistant principal. In addition to the glamour of being Mrs. South Carolina America, this assistant principal is also a student pursuing her doctorate in special education at Grand Canyon University.

Aside from being beauty pageant royalty, Caulder is a devoted wife to her husband, Martin, and a loving mother to her two kids, Aiden and Abigail. This family of four can be found at the baseball field as she roots for her son, Aiden, and his teammates. They also enjoy having family game nights over a pizza dinner.

“I love being a mother, it’s my favorite,” Caulder said. “We enjoy all the simple things.”

The Caulder family is also involved in their church, Riverland Hills Baptist Church, where they volunteer in the nursery.

Alongside 51 other state delegates, Caulder will compete for the title of Mrs. America on Aug. 28 in Las Vegas, Nev. The pageant is taking place at the International Theatre inside the Westgate Resort and Casino, where Elvis has been known to perform.

The pageant winner will go onto compete at the Mrs. World competition later this year.