She's on her way
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 22, 2014 1:50 AM
Goldsboro native Miss Greater Sampson County Beth Stovall wins Miss North Carolina.
Beth Stovall of Goldsboro was crowned Miss North Carolina 2014 on Saturday night in Raleigh.
The pageant featured two contestants from this community, with both making it to the Top 11.
In the opening minutes of the show, broadcast on Time Warner Cable, Miss Goldsboro 2014, Emily Tucker was the first name called. Miss Stovall, Miss Greater Sampson County 2014, was the 11th contestant, receiving the "viewer's choice" spot.
Thirty-four contestants were pared down to the finalists, who competed in swimsuit, evening gown and talent categories.
Both local young women sang opera for their talent and had fared well throughout the preliminary events this past week. Each won talent awards on their respective nights of competition. Miss Stovall had also garnered a swimsuit award and during the pageant, tied with Miss Central Carolina, Victoria Huggins, for the Hailey Best Talent Award.
Miss Tucker, 23, a 2009 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and a 2013 graduate of East Carolina University, was named recipient of the Quality of Life scholarship award for community service. Her platform, "Operation: Outreach," was designed to reignite patriotism within young people while enriching the relationship with the military and its surrounding community.
Miss Stovall, 20, is a rising senior vocal performance major at UNC-Wilmington. She graduated from Rosewood High School in 2011.
The daughter of Dan and Patti Stovall, she had served as Miss Goldsboro 2013 and previously competed at state pageant. In last year's competition, she received a preliminary talent award and advanced to the Top 10 on pageant night.
Her platform is "Operation: Art," a program she developed and created to inspire students around the state to become involved and interested in the arts.
Others in the top five included Miss Cabarrus County, McKenzie Faggart, first runner-up; Miss Johnston County, Kensley Leonard, second runner-up; Miss Central Carolina, Victoria Huggins, third runner-up; and Miss Thomasville, Kacy Lee, fourth runner-up.
Miss Stovall goes on to compete at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 14.