Local supporters gather to watch Miss North Carolina compete
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 15, 2014 1:47 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
From left, Cathy Best and Carolyn Stanford pour sparkling grape juice for a toast to Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall before watching the Miss America pageant.
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Beth Stovall
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Friends and former classmates of Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall join hands, hoping to hear Miss Stovall's name among the Top 15 finalists.
To the casual observer, it was as if they were active participants -- the tiara- and sash-clad women who gathered in a Wayne County living room Sunday evening to witness what they hoped would be a Miss America victory for their hometown contestant.
But when they were ushered over to the refreshment table, Miss Petunia, Miss Honeybee and their cohorts broke character -- filling their respective plates with chips and dips, deviled eggs and cupcakes.
Everyone knows contestants don't feast before a competition.
But that rule went out the window during a viewing party held at the home of Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall's former teacher, Cathy Best.
And for those who showed up to support a young woman known for her intellect, talent and kindness, the traditional voting process was tossed, too.
Miss Stovall was -- both before the pageant began and after the crown was pinned atop Miss New York's head -- their Miss America.
Mrs. Best, who taught Miss Stovall when she attended Rosewood High School, and her daughter, Kelly, Beth's lifelong friend, hosted the event for a dozen fans who were unable to make the trek to Atlantic City to watch the proceedings live.
And in their world, everyone was a beauty queen, as those who showed up got to choose their own crown and title.
There was Miss Highway 13, Jennifer Muston, and Miss Southern Wayne, chosen by her daughter, Maddie Muston, a junior at the school.
Carolyn Stanford opted for Miss Petunia, while her daughter, Melissa, chose Miss Honeybee.
Kelly, a senior at Campbell University, was Miss Humpdayee.
And her mother proudly wore the Miss Turkey Booty sash.
Sue Hill held out for Miss U... Wish You Were Here.
And two other former classmates' sashes titles reflected their current status -- Jessica Lozano, a recent graduate of the University of Mount Olive, was Miss Undecided and Caroline Keen, attending law school at UNC-Chapel Hill, was Miss Law and Order.
But perhaps the most important title -- for reasons that became obvious as the event unfolded -- was held by Debbie Keen.
Miss Honorary Judge, the apparent oddsmaker in the group, arrived with a notebook filled with pages of jottings.
She spent the previous day online reading what everyone was saying about the contestants -- sizing up Ms. Stovall's competition.
For America's Choice, she said, the online community seemed partial to Georgia, Kentucky and New Mexico. Miss Florida, she added, would undoubtedly make the Top 16.
But would Ms. Stovall?
Mrs. Keen was a bit concerned.
Only one site, she said, had Miss North Carolina in the Top 16.
"Everybody's got Florida and Ohio," she said.
And Oklahoma and Kansas had been double preliminary winners, which could give them a leg up on the competition, she said.
Fifteen minutes until the pageant began, the ladies gathered around the dining room table to toast the occasion with sparkling white grape juice.
Kelly brought out a photo of her and Beth, taken while in high school, placing it on top of the television.
With seconds to spare before the show, a group of contestants appeared, with Miss Stovall quickly picked out of the crowd.
"You look beautiful, Beth," Mrs. Hill said.
One by one, the 53 contestants introduced themselves.
"This Carolina girl is hoping to be the best of all. I'm Miss North Carolina, Beth Stovall," she said.
But as the Top 15 were unveiled, her supporters grew nervous.
Idaho. Massachusetts. Mississippi. Texas. Tennessee. Kentucky. Alabama.
Halfway there and no Miss North Carolina.
So the women decided to gather in a circle and join hands, as if to will the outcome in her favor.
"Grab a hand, grab a hand," Mrs. Best said. "Come on, Beth."
Host Chris Harrison continued to call out names and with each one, the tension in the room mounted.
"Virginia. Florida," he said.
"They're going all around us (from the South)," Mrs. Hill said.
"I do hope she makes it," Mrs. Best added.
Connecticut.
Then Miss New York, who was standing next to Miss Stovall, accepted a hug from Wayne County's contestant.
"Oh, she's crying. Don't cry, Beth," Mrs. Best said.
And when the final name was uttered, Miss Stovall's not among them, a collective sigh filled the room.
"But she's a winner in our hearts," Mrs. Hill said.