06/29/2025 High Point, NC – Sophia Kellstrom, representing Davidson County in the Miss North Carolina Competition, was crowned Miss North Carolina 2025 at the High Point Theater on Saturday evening. Kellstrom promoted her community service initiative of “Make A Change”, fighting food insecurity, a cause she has supported since she was 6 years old. She performed a vocal talent of “At Last,” which also earned her a Preliminary Talent Award earlier in the week. Kellstrom was also a Preliminary Evening Gown Award winner.
Kellstrom received a total of over $22,500 in scholarships and will represent North Carolina in the Miss America 2026 competition.
Top Five Placement:
- 4th Runner Up ($1,500 Scholarship) — Miss Gastonia – Catherine Lee
- 3rd Runner Up ($2,000 Scholarship) — Miss Caldwell County – Lauryn Grace Mallard
- 2nd Runner Up ($3,000 Scholarship) — Miss Charlotte – Josie Perdue
- 1st Runner Up ($7,500 Scholarship) — Miss Thomasville – Hannah Welborn-Lewis
- Miss North Carolina ($20,000 Scholarship) — Miss Davidson County – Sophia Kellstrom
Top Eleven Finalists:
- Miss Gaston County – Anaia Mayner
- Miss Garner – Maura Westbrook
- Miss Thomasville – Hannah Welborn-Lewis
- Miss Lake Norman – D’Amrah Rowdy
- Miss Gastonia – Catherine Lee
- Miss Smithfield – McKayla Young
- Miss Chapel Hill – Hailey Hudson
- Miss Caldwell County – Lauryn Grace Mallard
- Miss Charlotte – Josie Perdue
- Miss Ballantyne – Lauren Walsh
- Miss Davidson County – Sophia Kellstrom
Other Awards:
Susan Griffin Fisher Best in Vocal Talent Scholarship ($500 Scholarship) – Miss Davidson County, Sophia Kellstrom
Karen Bloomquist Elson Rookie Scholarship ($1,000 Scholarship) – Miss Smithfield, McKayla Young
Jeanne Swanner Robertson Congeniality Scholarship ($1,000 Scholarship) – Miss Gaston County, Anaia Mayner
Most Talented Non-Finalist Scholarship ($500 Scholarship) – Miss Zebulon, Ashtyn Thomas
Non-Finalist Interview Scholarship ($500 Scholarship) – Miss Cabarrus County, Jaime Logan
People’s Choice Award – Miss Chapel Hill, Hailey Hudson
About the Miss North Carolina Organization
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. Sophia Kellstrom currently serves as Miss North Carolina 2025, and Kate Ward serves as Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2025. For more information about volunteering or competing, please visit www.missnc.org.
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Photo Credit: Lenn Long/PageantPics.com.
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