Here she is... Miss Goldsboro
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 25, 2009 2:00 AM
Ashlee Perkinson, an East Carolina University student majoring in neuroscience, was named Miss Goldsboro Saturday night at the 2010 Miss Goldsboro Scholarship Pageant.
"I'm very excited to begin my year as Miss Goldsboro," Miss Perkinson said after receiving her crown. "I'm really excited to get the ball rolling with Habitat for Humanity."
Miss Perkinson was chosen from a group of seven young women competing in the annual scholarship program. First runner-up was Dani Jarman, a cosmetology student at Lenoir Community College. Marissa Phillips, a nursing student at Pitt Community College, was second runner-up. The pageant participants selected Erin Jackson of the Lenoir Community College nursing program as Miss Congeniality.
This year's Miss Goldsboro Pageant was the first time the program, started in the 1940s, moved back home to the Paramount Theater following the reconstruction of the historic theater, pageant executive director Jay Sauls said.
That cut Miss Goldsboro 2009 Molly Deans' reign short by three months, but "she's done a year's work in nine months," he said.
The program recognized Miss Deans as the outgoing Miss Goldsboro in a special ceremony that brought the crowd to its feet.
"I'm trying hard not to burst into tears right now," she said. "... to the new Miss Goldsboro, I don't have to wish you luck -- you're in good hands."
The program featured a talent competition, an interview competition and a swimsuit competition. Miss Perkinson performed a piano piece, while competitors Emily Huneycutt, Julia Lancaster, Jordan Turner and Miss Phillips gave vocal performances. Miss Jarman performed a dance routine and Miss Jackson presented a dramatic monologue.
Alan Claus, executive director of the Miss North Carolina scholarship pageant, was one of several pageant officials in the audience. He praised the Miss Goldsboro pageant for its professional atmosphere and hard work.
Attendees paid $1 each to vote for the crowd choice for Miss Goldsboro. The audience chose Miss Phillips.
Miss Lancaster received a $500 scholarship from the Miss Goldsboro Scholarship Association and Seymour Funeral Home. Miss Huneycutt received the Ideals of Miss America Award in honor of Heather Beaman. Miss Perkinson also won a $500 scholarship for the community service interview portion of the competition..