Stepping up
Jun 17, 2012 (The Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Two 'hometown' young women have begun the climb to the next rung on the ladder to national titles in the Miss America Scholarship Program.
Arlie Honeycutt and Teigha Beth Bailey won the Miss Kinston-Lenoir County 2012 and the Miss Kinston-Lenoir County Outstanding Teen 2012 titles, respectively, Dec. 3 in the Grainger Hill Performing Arts Center, beginning their climbs to achieve the national titles, all the while committing to make their "home" constituents proud.
The next level on this national road -- the state competition -- will be this week in Raleigh. Honeycutt arrived at Peace College Friday -- headquarters for the Miss N.C. contestants; and Bailey made the trip Saturday, settling into the Marriott Hotel across from the Convention Center -- O.T. contestants stay in area hotels with their families.
Both are primed to do their best in competition with young women across the state who share the same hopes and goals. Honeycutt will be one of 36 vying for the Miss North Carolina crown, and Bailey will compete against 33 others for the state Outstanding Teen title.
Both also are grounded in the strong influences of their mothers, whom they named as the most influential people in their lives.
"I would have to say my mother is definitely the most influential person in my life," said Bailey. "Not only is she a hardworking doctor, but I have never seen someone give up more things for his or her child. Since I was a young girl, my mom has always supported me with everything, including gymnastics, dance, basketball and tennis. She will do anything in her ability to help me achieve my goals and dreams ...
"I look up to her in every way, and I hope to make her proud this coming week."
When asked who the most influential person is in her life, Honeycutt answered "My mom!" without hesitation.
"She is a talented, hardworking and wonderful person whom I definitely strive to emulate," Honeycutt said. "Here's a fun fact: She competed for Miss N.C. as Miss Wilson exactly 30 years ago.
"In fact, I'll be wearing her interview earrings in my own private interview."
It is a special year for the North Carolina program -- the 75th anniversary. Some changes in schedule and additional events will enhance the anniversary celebration, including a Sisterhood of Miss N.C. Gala on Friday night. This evening of celebration and reunion will honor contestants, former state winners, and countless volunteers who have made magic happen for 75 years.
Mark Ballas, celebrity professional dancer of "Dancing with the Stars" fame, will appear at the Friday gala and perform on stage at Miss N.C. finals Saturday night. The Outstanding Teen finals will be on Thursday night.
Another change in honor of the 75th milestone is that an additional finalist will join the Top 10 announced at the beginning of Saturday's competition, this one a voters' choice by the public.
"Supporters can cast their vote by visiting tinyurl.com/votemisskinston2012 and clicking 'Like' on the left corner of the video, or by tuning into the Kinston-Lenoir video on Time Warner Cable channels 199 and 1047," Honeycutt said. "Each time they watch that video via Carolina On Demand, it counts as a vote."
The finals will be televised live on Time Warner Cable.
With all the excitement, the two representing Kinston-Lenoir County still want to hear from their fan base.
"Most definitely," Honeycutt said. "One really cool way to be supportive ... is the Voters Choice for the 11th finalist. Plus, you can use the traditional methods to send encouragement."
Bailey agreed: "I will ... have my cell phone all week, and would be thrilled to also receive any posts on my Facebook. If anyone is not friends with me on Facebook, they are welcome to 'like' the Miss Kinston Lenoir County Program page on Facebook and write on there."
Miss North Carolina/Outstanding Teen 2012 Pageant
Sunday through Saturday
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
500 Fayetteville St. Mall, Raleigh
Preliminaries: 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Outstanding Teen Finals: 8 p.m. Thursday
Sisterhood of Miss NC Gala: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Miss NC Finals: 8 p.m. Saturday, televised live on Time Warner Cable
Tickets: On sale beginning at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday in lobby; $20 preliminaries/$45 finals, general seating; $45 preliminaries/$85 finals, priority seating
Official florist: Carlton's Florist, 609 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh; 919-821-3862; [email protected]
Arlie Kaitlyn Honeycutt
Miss Kinston-Lenoir County 2012
Birthday: July 25, 1992
Parents: Scott and Beth Honeycutt of Garner
Brother: Jackson Honeycutt, 14
School: ECU, with music major and voice performance concentration
Most influential person: Mother
Contestant: No. 23, Group B
Talent: Vocal, 'Someone like You' from Jekyll and Hyde
Platform: The Domino Effect: Inspiring Volunteerism One Person at a Time
Preliminaries: Swimsuit Monday; talent Tuesday; evening wear/onstage question Wednesday; interview Thursday; finals Saturday
Contact: By mail at Miss North Carolina Pageant, Arlie Honeycutt, Miss Kinston-Lenoir County, William Peace University/Finley Dorm, 15 E. Peace St., Raleigh, NC 27604; by cell at 919-418-0457; by email at [email protected]
Teigha Beth Bailey
Miss Kinston-Lenoir County Outstanding Teen 2012
Birthday: July 19, 1995
Parents: Dr. Teigha Randolph and Tom Bailey of Kinston
Brothers: Todd Bailey, 18, and Thomas Bailey, 20
School: Arendell Parrott Academy
Most influential person: Mother
Contestant: No. 24, Group B
Talent: Contemporary pointe dance to 'Turn to Stone' by Ingrid Michaelson; choreography by Erin Whaley
Platform: Teen Depression Awareness
Preliminaries: Interview Sunday; fitness Monday; talent Tuesday; gown/onstage question Wednesday; finals Thursday
Contact: By mail at Raleigh Marriott Center, 500 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601; by cell at 252-559-0347; Miss Kinston Lenoir County Program page on Facebook
___ (c)2012 The Free Press (Kinston, N.C.) Visit The Free Press (Kinston, N.C.)
at www.kinston.com Distributed by MCT Information Services
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