Battle for the crown: Miss Greater Sampson County 2014 Beth Stovall
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 15, 2014 1:50 AM
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Miss Greater Sampson County and Goldsboro native Beth Stovall hugs Piper Wilhide, the current Children's Miracle Network poster child and also a Goldsboro native, during the recent CMN telethon in Greenville.
Goldsboro will be represented by two contestants in this year's Miss North Carolina 2014 pageant.
In addition to the reigning Miss Goldsboro, Emily Tucker, her predecessor, Beth Stovall, makes a return bid for the state title as Miss Greater Sampson County 2014.
It was when another local girl, Hailey Best, was crowned Miss North Carolina 2011 that Miss Stovall was inspired to be part of the Miss America program, she said.
"I will never forget seeing Hailey Best's face on the front page of our newspaper and realizing that I, too, could follow and pursue my dreams like she did," she said. "I immediately started following the local pageants and shortly after decided to get involved myself.
"I have since fallen head over heels for this beautiful (Miss America) organization that dedicates scholarship to its participants, service through the hard work of local, state and national organizations to their communities, style and, ultimately, a bridge to success."
Miss Stovall, a 2011 graduate of Rosewood High School, is now a rising senior at UNC-Wilmington studying vocal performance.
As Miss Goldsboro 2013, she advanced to the Miss North Carolina competition, finishing in the top 10 and receiving a talent preliminary award.
The 20-year-old said she feels the previous experience will be beneficial this time around.
"I did really well the last time I competed," she said. "That really motivated me to come back and do better. I understand the job of Miss North Carolina even more. I really want to go back and win it.
"I feel like I'm going into it with a different head on my shoulders. I'm just trying to do everything I can to be well-rounded, focusing on each area -- modeling well, my swimsuit, working out and staying fit, practicing my talent, operatic vocal, and just working on my speaking skills and interview skills because, after all, this is an interview for the job of Miss North Carolina."
Her talent will be singing opera, and her platform is Inspiration: Art, a program she developed and created to inspire students around the state to become involved and interested in the arts.
"I have talked to legislators about keeping the arts alive in the public school system," she said. "I have a passion for the arts and for advocating to get students inspired to explore and discover their talents.
"As Miss Greater Sampson County, I have had the privilege to work with the children at Falcon Children's Home by hosting a talent show called 'Falcon Idol.' I have also spoken to and performed for over 1,000 students in schools in several different counties promoting a 'Kazoo Can Do' attitude, Inspiration: Art and never giving up on your dreams, no matter how big."
The 34 contestants in this year's pageant moved into dorms at Peace University this weekend.
"I'm going to do my best," she said. "I'm going to give it 100 percent."
To follow her on Facebook, visit Miss Greater Sampson County 2014 Beth Stovall. She is also on Twitter and Instagram under Beth Stovall.
For those who want to send a note or gift, the address is: Miss North Carolina Pageant, Beth Stovall, Miss Greater Sampson County, William Peace University/Finley Dorm, 15 East Peace Street, Raleigh, NC 27604.