In 75 years, the Miss North Carolina Pageant has transformed from a swimsuit contest into a scholarship contest. Each woman who wears the crown makes us proud.
Room 1637 at the downtown Marriott in Raleigh smells of Liz Claiborne perfume. More than half a pizza sits getting cold on a table by the window. Hangers and garment bags lie strewn across the bed. These women are too busy to eat or straighten up.
“Which pair?” the younger woman asks the older. She holds up two different earrings to her ears. One is subtle, and one resembles a disco ball.
The older lady recommends the first. She’s never been much for flashy. But she knows style. Trudy Riley Kearney always dressed her best as Miss North Carolina 1946. Tonight she wears a black dress and jacket; it sparkles a little, but not much. Her superlative when she steps onstage tonight won’t be showiest or best dressed. At 85, Kearney is the oldest Miss North Carolina in attendance for the 75th anniversary pageant. In about an hour, she’ll join 42 other former Miss North Carolinas across the street in Memorial Auditorium.
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