Memories Worth Sharing

As the 2018 Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen Pageant nears, certainly there are many more fond memories for Victoria Huggins and Marissa Garrison to make during their years of service. Reflecting on my time as a part of this organization, I am compelled to share my favorite memory of each. So often titleholders are asked to share their fondest memory from their year of service, but rarely are other titleholders publicly given the opportunity to share their most cherished memory of senior titleholders. This, I want to take this opportunity to thank them both for their service as well as to share my favorite memory of each.

In October 2017, not long after returning from the Miss America Competition, Victoria made an appearance at the Miss Randolph County Scholarship Pageant where I relinquished my title to Shyquel Allison. That particular night brought many fond memories of Victoria from her quips onstage with the emcee, to her sharing her incredible vocal talent, to her interactions and engagement with audience members. However, the memory I cherish most of Victoria as Miss North Carolina; moreover as a person, was her not only taking the time to initiate a prayer for the strength of all contestants prior to the shows starting backstage, but to include me in this prayer and ask for my strength as I closed this chapter in my life and began steps toward my future, too. Being there in that moment, I felt the purity of heart Victoria embodies, her strong relationship with God, and her commitment to inspiring others with the light He instilled in her. That circle of prayer, hands interlocked, and her words created a most beautiful and my favorite memory of Victoria Huggins, Miss North Carolina 2017; one who has exemplified love for her state, its people, and passion for the Lord.

The next weekend, my favorite memory of Marissa Garrison, Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2017 was born. I entered the Miss Queen City/Metrolina Scholarship Pageant in September. A week after relinquishing the Miss Randolph County I attended the pageant’s initial interest meeting and was fortunate enough to hear a speech given by Marissa to all of the potential contestants. Her words were so well-articulated and intentional that they communicated a very clear and motivational message. Marissa spoke of winning Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen on her own terms, through choices she made, and, so relevant to my passion and platform, within her family’s means. Not only was she tangible, but her story made the realization of this dream seem tangible to me; I expect the other potential entrants as well. I will always carry with me the memory of her speech and the message of the organization being available to all regardless of financial means or investment. I see great benefit in having such an eloquent speaker as Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen; particularly when she makes participation tangible for all young women through her words.

North Carolina has been richly blessed by both of these women. They have brought spirit, passion, and color to the state through their appearances and for me, most especially, these two memories. I am looking forward to following in their footsteps, should I be so fortunate, and to share my passion and spirit with the state. North Carolina is full of warm, colorful people, and I look forward to stepping into their light and legacy thereby continuing to radiate color throughout the Tarheel state.