Here she is: Blair Mozingo takes crown
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 19, 2012 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
Blair Mozingo is crowned Miss Goldsboro on Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre by last year's winner, Chelsea Guild. Miss Mozingo is the 80th woman to wear the crown. The pageant was started in 1932.
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
Mackenzie Malham was crowned Miss Goldsboro 2012 Outstanding Teen.
A sold-out crowd filled Paramount Theatre Saturday for a night of glitz and glamour at the 2012 Miss Goldsboro Scholarship Pageant.
Blair Mozingo, 22, of Duplin County, was crowned Miss Goldsboro after winning the hearts of the judges.
"It was a big surprise. I was a little taken aback," Ms. Mozingo said of hearing her name called as the evening's winner. "I have been watching this pageant since I was 13 years old and now I am a part of it."
She is the most recent Miss Goldsboro in the now 80-year long tradition that began in the Paramount Theatre in 1932.
Ms. Mozingo's spirited Christian-inspired vocal and dance performance during the talent competition was received with a burst of applause and cheers from the audience.
Her spot-on responses during the question and answer segment and the confidence and composure she exuded during the swim wear segment put her above the other talented contestants.
Ms. Mozingo said she works as a vocal coach and in retail when she is not preparing for beauty competitions, which she has participated in since the age of 12.
She said the title of Miss Goldsboro is the culmination of filling out piles of paperwork, countless rehearsals and long hours working to stay fit.
"This is a long term goal that turned into a dream come true," she said.
Moments before receiving the crown, Ms. Mozingo was also presented the Community Service Award.
Taking home the prize of first runner-up was Sarah Ashley, while Armani Perry won third place.
Michelle Simmons won Miss Congeniality.
The evening also included the competition for Miss Goldsboro Outstanding Teen 2012, which was won by Mackenzie Malham.
In the teen pageant Charlotte Kornegay won first runner-up, and Alyssa Graham took the third-place crown.
The award of Miss Congeniality among the girls was shared by Miss Kornegay and Chasity Carraway.
With each contest featuring six young women the audience was dazzled with a variety of performances that included top-tapping show tunes to heartfelt dances.
Serving as mistresses of ceremony for the event were Hailey Best, Miss North Carolina 2011, and WNCT meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy.
Between competitive segments, the junior participants making up the Carolina Princesses often took to the stage.
A group performance by the tots included a jazzy dance as they each wore black dresses, white elbow-length gloves and sparking tiaras.
Miss Goldsboro 2011, Chelsea Guild, gave a jaw-dropping jump rope performance to a Michael Jackson song where she was accompanied by a few of the Carolina Princesses donning funky white fedoras.
Miss Goldsboro Outstanding Teen 2011, Megan Griffin, pleased the audience with an equally impressive display of her dance abilities.
The scholarships awarded to winners ranged from $250 to $1,000.