Madison Taylor Hadaway of Pinehurst, N.C., was crowned Miss Central Carolina 2027 on Oct. 3, 2026, at the T. Austin Finch Auditorium in Thomasville.
Hadaway takes the title with a community service initiative drawn from her own medical history and her working life. Heart First: Prioritizing Cardiovascular Health in Every Community grew out of the cardiac testing she underwent after COVID and her later work in interventional cardiology, where she saw firsthand how cardiovascular disease affects patients and their families.
“My goal is to make heart health education accessible to every community and empower people to prioritize prevention before a crisis occurs,” Hadaway said.
In practice the initiative runs on several tracks at once: educational content on social media, heart health resources at community events, and outreach to schools, churches and local organizations on prevention and early detection. Through her involvement with the American Heart Association she also advocates for cardiovascular health awareness.
Hadaway is an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Elon University, building on a previous Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Healthcare Administration. She hopes to grow into an advanced nursing role that combines patient-centered care with her interest in cardiovascular health. In the talent category she performed a high-energy tap dance to “Let’s Get Loud,” a routine she says carries more weight after navigating her own health challenges: “It’s more than a dance; it’s a celebration of where I am today, and a reminder to embrace every opportunity to move, grow and enjoy life.”
One of the moments she names as most meaningful came through her Carolina Star, a young advocate who found her social media page on her own. “We quickly bonded over our shared passion for cardiovascular health, and I am so excited that she will be joining me this year as both my Carolina Star and a fellow advocate,” Hadaway said.
She has held two previous titles in the Miss America Opportunity: Miss Greater Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2016 and Miss Davidson County 2026. Her time in the organization reaches back further, to four Carolina Princess titles held between 2008 and 2013.
“I am incredibly grateful to be part of an organization that has grown alongside me, from a five-year-old Carolina Princess to a young woman pursuing a career in nursing and a passion for community service,” Hadaway said. “I hope my journey reminds others that you can pursue big dreams, care deeply for others, and remain true to who you are every step of the way.”
Hadaway will represent Central Carolina at the Miss North Carolina competition in High Point in June 2027.
Hadaway can be followed on Instagram at @misscentralcarolina_nc.
