Two young women representing Goldsboro are heading to the Miss North Carolina pageant to compete for the crown.
Miss Goldsboro Hayden Pearson and Miss Goldsboro’s Teen Ansleigh Thrash will leave Monday for High Point and compete at the High Point Theatre.
“They participate in three preliminary rounds of competition, one each in talent, fitness and evening gown that lead up to the finals on June 27,” said Treva Howell, local director for the Miss Goldsboro Organization.
The preliminary rounds will take place Wednesday through Friday, and the final rounds will take place on Saturday, Howell said.
Pearson, the current Miss Goldsboro, was formerly Miss Goldsboro’s Teen from 2020 to 2021. She began competing in pageants when she was 6 months old and won her first state title at the age of 3, Pearson said.
“My journey with the Goldsboro community began when I was 5, serving as a Carolina Princess within the Miss North Carolina Organization, which sparked my love for the Miss America opportunity,” Pearson said.
Thrash has also been competing in pageants since she was only a few months old.
“I was a Carolina Star with the Miss North Carolina Organization for seven years, and this is my second year competing for the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen,” Thrash said. “This upcoming August marks a decade of being involved with the Miss North Carolina Organization.”
During their time wearing a crown for Goldsboro, Pearson and Thrash have dedicated numerous hours to community service.
Pearson has been volunteering since she was 3 years old when she became involved with The Red Balloon Project, which is a nonprofit organization that “provides grand birthday celebrations for critically ill children and their families, creating joyful memories during some of their most challenging times,” Pearson said.
At 11 years old, she became the Child Ambassador before going on to serve as the Teen Ambassador. Then at 16 years of age, she became the executive director of the organization.
“During my year as Miss Goldsboro, I have had the privilege of expanding the organization’s impact through partnerships with the Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina and by visiting children’s hospitals across the state, including the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville, bringing hope, kindness, and celebration to the children and families we serve,” Pearson said.
During her time as Miss Goldsboro’s Teen, Thrash has visited schools, senior centers and community organizations to share her community service initiative, Safety With All Technology.
“Through these presentations, I teach individuals how to stay safe online, manage their digital footprint, recognize scams, and practice good digital citizenship. Being able to empower others with the knowledge to navigate technology safely has been one of the most rewarding parts of my year of service,” Thrash said.
For the talent portion of the event, Pearson and Thrash will be performing tap dance routines.
“As I prepare for Miss North Carolina, I feel confident, excited, and deeply grateful. I have given my all to representing the Goldsboro community, and I cannot wait to step onto the Miss North Carolina stage and share the hard work, dedication, and purpose that have guided me every step of this journey,” Pearson said.
Thrash said she has dedicated countless hours to preparing for the Miss North Carolina Teen competition.
“It is difficult to put into words the excitement and gratitude I feel for the opportunity to compete for a title I have dreamed about for so long,” Thrash said. “More than anything, I am excited to represent a community I love so dearly, share my community service initiative, and make memories that will last a lifetime.”
If Pearson wins the title of Miss North Carolina, she will receive a $20,000 educational scholarship. Similarly, if Thrash wins the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen, she will receive a $7,500 educational scholarship, according to the Miss North Carolina website.
Currently, Pearson is a junior attending North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management where she is majoring in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.
“If chosen to serve as the 88th Miss North Carolina, I will use the scholarship funds to continue my education at North Carolina State University and further pursue my academic and professional goals,” Pearson said.
Thrash is going into her sophomore year at Dixon High School.
“If I am fortunate enough to earn scholarship funding through the Miss America Opportunity, I plan to use it toward a degree in atmospheric sciences,” Thrash said.
Pearson and Thrash said they compete in pageants because it has helped them become the best version of themselves.
“If I am crowned Miss North Carolina’s Teen, I want to encourage other young women to become involved in the Miss America Opportunity because they can see themselves in me,” Thrash said.