*published by the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant*
Miss NC 2017 Wednesday Night Preliminary Winners
RALEIGH 6/21/2017 – The 90 young women competing for the titles of Miss North Carolina 2017 and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen began their final journey to find out who will be crowned the winner after the first night of preliminary competition.
Miss Durham, Nia Franklin and Miss Goldsboro, Courtney Smith, took top honors during Wednesday evening’s competition. Franklin won the preliminary talent award while Smith took the lifestyle and fitness award in swimsuit.
The Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant also kicked off its annual competition with its first two preliminary competitions. Miss Rowan County Outstanding Teen, Taylor Loyd, garnered the preliminary Talent award, and Miss Clayton’s Outstanding Teen, Ahnna Chay, took home the Evening Gown/On-Stage Question award.
The North Carolina Education Scholarship Foundation announced the following scholarship recipients:
The Ward Black World Law Changer was awarded to Miss Winston Salem, Grace Ann Carol.
The Kate Peacock Teaching Fellowship Scholarship was awarded to Miss Capital City, Logan Freeman.
The Beth Christine Stovall Music Scholarship was awarded to Miss Eastover, Audrey Moore.
The Janice Barbee Academic Achievement was awarded to Miss Wilmington, Isabella Gaines.
Local volunteer of the year was awarded to, Mande Anderson Ille of the Miss Wilmington pageant.
Raymond Hatthaway was recognized for his outstanding service as State Volunteer of the Year.
The Teens in Action Scholarship was awarded to Miss Pinehurt’s Outstanding Teen, Calli McIntyre.
The Jen Mink Photogenic Award was awarded to Peyton Brown, Miss Goldsboro’s Outstanding Teen.
The Megan Huff Children’s Miracle Network Award was awarded to Miss Pinehurt’s Outstanding Teen, Calli McIntyre.
The finalist of the the Quality of Life award, which honors pageant contestant’s community service platforms, were also announced. Third place winner, Miss Mount Holly, Allison Farris; Second Place Winner, Miss Eastern Carolina, Ashley Underhill; First place winner, Miss Greater Sampson County, Victoria Huggins.
Preliminary competitions for Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen will continue June 22-23 at Raleigh’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The Outstanding Teen competition will conclude with crowning on June 24 at 2pm. Miss North Carolina 2017 will be crowned at 7pm live on ABC11 and ABC11.com. Tickets for the event will be available in the Spring.
About the Miss NC Organization
As an official state preliminary associated with the Miss America Organization, the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant is a part of the largest scholarship providing organization for women in the world. Promoting an emphasis on academics and communication skills, the Miss NC Pageant is considered a launching pad for young women to further their academic and career goals. For more information about volunteering or competing, please visit www.missnc.org.
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REBECCA ROSS 