New Miss Goldsboro crowned at pageant
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 16, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Casey Croom is crowned Miss Goldsboro 2016 on Saturday night by Victoria Baskett, last year's queen. Miss Croom, 22, a recent graduate of UNC-Wilmington, is from Pikeville. This was her third attempt vying for the local crown. She was also Miss Rose Hill 2015.
Casey Croom took a moment to let it sink in that she'd just been crowned Miss Goldsboro 2016 on Saturday night.
"This was my third time competing for Miss Goldsboro," she said backstage. "I've wanted to be Miss Goldsboro since I saw Jill Suggs compete in 1998."
It was almost poetic that Jill Suggs Howell, that year's queen, returned to the stage with Blair Mozingo, Miss Goldsboro 2012, to emcee this year's event.
One of five contestants in the scholarship pageant, Miss Croom recalled the road leading up to the victory.
She had competed in 2010 for Wayne County Fire Princess, representing Nahunta Fire Department. Then she participated in the Miss Goldsboro event in 2013 and 2014, going on to earn the title Miss Rose Hill 2015 and vying for the state title in last year's Miss North Carolina pageant.
But the Miss Goldsboro crown had a personal significance.
"To me this means more because this is my hometown," said the Pikeville native.
She is excited about being able to serve in the community where she grew up, starting with one event in particular.
"I'm looking forward, since I was a little girl, to riding in the Goldsboro Christmas Parade," she said.
The daughter of David and Beth Croom, the 22-year-old has one older sister, Carrie. A 2011 graduate of Princeton High School, Casey recently graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a bachelor of science degree in community health education. She has been working in Raleigh as an account manager for Network South Inc.
For her talent, she performed a tap dance to "Lewis Boogie." Her platform is "Four Points to a Healthy Heart," focusing on the importance of staying active, eating a healthy diet, knowing family history and symptoms of a heart attack.
In addition to the title, she was also recognized for top ad sales in the program.
Her court included first runner-up Taylor Bowden, 21, who graduated from Clinton High School and is now a junior at Barton College, also recipient of the People's Choice award. Second runner-up Kali Whitaker, 22, from Raleigh, also received the talent award and community service award.
Miss Congeniality went to Anna Mason Moore, 17, from New Bern.
Miss Outstanding Teen was also crowned during the festivities, with Isabella Gaines of Wilmington sweeping the competition. She performed a contemporary clog dance.
In addition to the crown, the 16-year-old student from John T. Hoggard High received the People's Choice Award, talent award, and shared the title of Miss Congeniality with Rebecca Rodriguez, 15, a student at Charles B. Aycock High School. Miss Rodriguez was also recognized for having the top ad sales.
First runner-up was Hailey Hudson, 15, from Stedman, and second runner-up was Emmalee Smith, 16 from Hope Mills.
The two title-holders will go on to compete at the Miss North Carolina Scholarship pageant in Raleigh in June 2016.