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Texas native representing North Carolina, Jacklyn Drake, was crowned Miss for America Strong 2024 on Monday, August 26 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 32-year-old racecar driver, sports reporter, host, and media strategist bested over 40 other competitors to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Candy Cáceres of California. Molly May of Alabama and Allison Redman of Florida were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Regina Catherine MacDonald of Alaska, Bailey Staff of Michigan, and Ricki Stewart of West Virginia rounded out the Top 6 finalists. "To bring home this national win last night for the great state of North Carolina might be the biggest honor of my life," said the new Miss for America Strong. "This past week, I've gained sister queens from all over the country and felt a profound sense of peace, trusting in whatever God had in store for me as I stepped onto that stage,"

Miss South Park, Kenzie Hensley, was crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2024 on Saturday, June 15 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. The 25-year-old chief marketing officer hailing from Surf City will now represent the Tar Heel State at Miss USA 2024 in Hollywood, California this August. She succeeds Jordyn McKey, last year's winner and Miss USA 2023 Top 20 semifinalist. Kenzie holds a degree in broadcast journalism from High Point University and a master's in integrated marketing communications from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The new Miss North Carolina USA is no stranger to pageantry, having previously held the title Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen 2015 and Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2017. "Not a day has gone by in the last 2 years and 4 months where I wasn't thinking of this exact moment. Eternally grateful and unexplainably humbled to be your Miss North Carolina USA," she wrote online

Miss North Carolina's Teen, Hanley House, was crowned Miss America's Teen 2024 on Saturday, January 13 at the Walt Disney Theater (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts) in Orlando, Florida. The 16-year-old Cleveland High School student edged out 50 other competitors to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Morgan Greco of Washington. Ohio's Paisley French was named first runner-up while Aubrey Bartmann of Oklahoma, Natalie Poveda of Texas, and Sophia Todd of Kentucky were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 11 semifinalists were Anna-Katherine Risalvato of Florida, Charlie Key of Georgia, Lauryn Trader of Hawaii, Anna Grace of Tennessee, Jaylynn Lindley of Utah, and Ginger Ragaishis of Vermont. Before the finals, the new Miss America's Teen was also announced as one of the winners of the Preliminary Fitness and the Preliminary Evening Gown competitions. Hanley is passionate about advocating for the emp

Miss Uptown, Jordyn Ashlee McKey, was crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2023 during the glittering state competition held on Saturday, February 25 at the High Point Theatre in High Point, North Carolina. The 25-year-old advocate against domestic violence and a healthcare customer services professional from Charlotte is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and currently working as a specialist for a health technology company. Jordyn succeeded last year's winner and current Miss USA Morgan Romano, and will now go on to represent North Carolina at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. The runners-up were Miss South Park, McKenzie Hansley, Miss Mint Hill, Courtney Smith, Miss RDU, Caroline Credle, and Miss Pittsboro, Celia Stafford. Miss Capital City, Scarlett Freeman, Miss Charlotte, Jarin Simmons, Miss Davidson County, Terra Johns, Miss Fourth Ward, Serenity Edwards, and Miss Rowan County, Chelsea Skeens (Rowan County) rounded out the Top 10. Emma Knapp (City of Oaks), Genna Lockle

Miss North Carolina USA 2023 state competition will take place on Saturday, February 25 at the High Point Theatre in High Point, North Carolina. RPM Productions gathered over 100 contestants (including the Miss Teen USA 2023 division) to compete for the state titles and the chance to represent North Carolina at Miss USA 2023 and Miss Teen USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Last year's winners, Gabriela Ortega who went on to win Miss Photogenic at Miss Teen USA 2022, and newly designated Miss USA 2022 Morgan Romano are expected to crown their respective successors at the end of the event. According to the organizers, the Miss North Carolina USA and Miss North Carolina Teen USA pageants are looking for diverse young women who are not only beautiful but intelligent and willing to share their hearts and minds as ambassadors of the state and the nation. The upcoming state finals will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning television host and producer from Colorado, Tim Tialdo who has been a part of the

Morgan Romano was officially crowned by reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel as the new Miss USA 2022 on Friday, January 27 in Auburn, Alabama. The 24-year-old chemical engineer from Concord represented North Carolina at the 71st Miss USA competition last October and placed first runner-up. She was designated to take over the national title after R'Bonney won Miss Universe 2022 last January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana. "Heart full of gratitude. I’m all yours, USA," Morgan posted on social media following her coronation ceremony held at Woltosz Theatre, Gogue Performing Arts Center. The special event coincided with Miss Alabama Teen USA and Miss Alabama USA 2023 preliminary competitions organized by  RPM Productions . North Carolina now holds a record of four Miss USA titleholders. Previous winners were Chelsea Cooley (2005), Kristen Dalton (2009), and the late Cheslie Kryst (2019). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Morgan Romano (@mo

Concord resident, Morgan Romano, has been crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2022 in a state competition held at High Point Theater on Saturday, January 29. The 23-year-old beauty holds a degree in chemical engineering and currently working as an application engineer at R.E. Mason in Charlotte. According to her bio, she has a passion for STEM education for children and spends her free time volunteering with Project Scientist, an after-school program that provides a high-quality STEM curriculum to young girls. During her year, Morgan plans on expanding her initiative “Outside the Box”, which provides science kits to classrooms, children’s hospitals, libraries, and to students in need. It also focuses on spreading the message that it is okay to fully embrace who you are, no matter what that may be and she hopes to set that example by wearing the Miss North Carolina USA crown and being a woman in STEM. The new Miss North Carolina USA succeeded last year's winner Madison Bryant and will n

Sad news shocked the entire pageant community after the tragic passing of Cheslie Kryst, an Emmy Award-nominated "Extra" correspondent, and a former Miss USA winner. According to reports, the 30-year-old jumped off a high-rise apartment building in Midtown Manhattan, New York, and her lifeless body was found on Sunday morning. "In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie," her family shared in a statement. "Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined." Cheslie was crowned Miss USA 2019 while representing North Carolina and went on to compete at the Miss Universe 2019 pageant in Atlanta, Georgia where she placed in the Top 10. Before her death, she posted a photo on social media with the caption "May this day bring you rest and peace" and a heart emoji. The Miss Universe and Miss USA Organizations are devastated to lear