38 Miss and 38 Teen candidates compete for spots at Miss America, Miss America's Teen national pageants
HIGH POINT (June 25, 2026) – Preliminary Night Two of the Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen competition took place Thursday evening at the High Point Theatre — following an earlier-than-usual day at the venue, after a power outage delayed and extended Preliminary Night One into Thursday afternoon. A total of 38 Miss candidates and 38 Teen candidates from across the Tar Heel state are competing across three preliminary nights before the final crowning shows on Saturday, June 27, when two young women will be crowned to represent North Carolina at the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen national pageants.
Miss North Carolina Night Two Preliminary Winners:
- Miss Preliminary Talent Award for a $1,000 scholarship, provided by David Clegg, is Halle Powell, Miss Cleveland, who performed a tap dance to “Reet Petite and Gone.” She is from Comfort, North Carolina.
- Miss Preliminary Evening Gown Award for a $1,000 scholarship, provided by Mike and Deborah Golden, is Brooke Tomberlin, Miss Lake Norman. She wore a Jovani evening gown from McKenzie Jades in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
Miss North Carolina’s Teen Night Two Preliminary Winners:
- Teen Preliminary Talent Award for a $500 scholarship, provided by Relevé Dancewear, is Brie Rouse, Miss Johnston County’s Teen, who performed a lyrical dance routine to “Thank God I Do.” She is from Kinston, North Carolina.
- Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award for a $500 scholarship, provided by Lizzie Horton Peress, is Ansleigh Thrash, Miss Goldsboro’s Teen, a native of North Topsail Island, North Carolina. She wore an evening gown from An Affair to Remember in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Preliminary Night Three takes place Friday, June 26, with results to follow. Final competitions for Miss North Carolina’s Teen and Miss North Carolina take place Saturday, June 27, at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, respectively. All on-stage preliminaries and finals will also be available for streaming online. To learn more about individual candidates, visit the Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen Class of 2026 contestant biographies.
About the Miss North Carolina Organization
As an official state preliminary associated with the Miss America Organization, the Miss North Carolina Organization is 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. Kate Ward serves as Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2025. For more information about volunteering or competing, please visit www.missnc.org.
About the Miss America Brand
The Miss America brand’s mission is “Empowering Women to Lead” in every area of life, including philanthropy, business, the arts, politics, education, and more. Miss America and Miss America’s Teen local and state ambassadors contribute thousands of community service hours annually, raising funds for philanthropic partners.
Photo Credit: Lenn Long / PageantPics
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