RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — Area titleholders compete in the 2024 Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen competition on June 25 – 29 in High Point at High Point Theatre.
These competitions are preliminaries to the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen pageant.
WFMY News 2 caught up with two Randolph County Titleholders who competed in the state pageant: Miss Randolph County, Ashley Leonard, and Miss Randolph County’s Teen Ila Monical.
"It's been a fun experience and it's really what you get out of the experience. My advice for anyone doing this for the first time is that it's okay, stay calm, and just you know have fun!," said Monical.
"My best piece of advice is to be your true authentic self. I think a lot of girls struggle with comparison especially within pageants. I grew up in dance and I struggled a lot with body image and comparing myself to others and being able to compete in Miss North Carolina allowed me to be the most authentic version of Ashley that I can find," said Leonard.
About Miss North Carolina
As an official state preliminary associated with the Miss America Organization, the Miss North Carolina Organization is a part of the largest scholarship providing organization for women in the world.
Promoting an emphasis on academics and communication skills, the MNCO is considered a launching pad for young women to further their academic and career goals. Taylor Loyd, (granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hinshaw of Randleman) a Top Ten Finalist at Miss America, currently serves as Miss North Carolina 2023 and Hanley House served as Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2023 before becoming Miss America’s Teen. Annika Schneider currently serves as Miss North Carolina’s Teen.
For more information about volunteering or competing, click or tap HERE.
Following a private interview, candidates will participate in three days of preliminaries, consisting of talent, fitness, and on-stage question/evening gown competitions from June 26 – 28 at 7:00 p.m. each night. The final competitions are held on Saturday, June 29, with the Teen finals kicking off at 2:30 p.m. Miss finals began at 7:30 p.m. For more information, click or tap HERE.