<\/p>\n
Two young ladies from Bladen County are preparing to go to Las Vegas in late March to represent the state in the United States of America pageant.<\/p>\n
Hailey Hudson and Trinity Locklear captured top honors at the USOA state pageant held over Valentine\u2019s weekend in Greenville. Hudson was crowned USOA\u2019s Miss North Carolina and Locklear earned the title of Teen Miss North Carolina.<\/p>\n
The pair will head to Las Vegas for the national pageant March 26-29.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest part of winning (the state pageant) is the ability to go and compete at the United States of America pageant in just over 30 days,\u201d said Hudson, who is 25 years old and graduated from East Bladen High School in 2019. \u201cIt\u2019s really exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
During their reign, the titleholders will travel throughout the state speaking and advocating on their platforms. Hudson\u2019s platform is Speak Up for Social Media Safety and Locklear\u2019s platform is GLOW: Giving Light to Other Women.<\/p>\n
Hudson\u2019s platform focuses on cyber safety education and advocacy. Inspired by her own experience with online harassment and cyberbullying, Hudson has spoken at schools across North Carolina and made numerous appearances in Bladen County.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was in middle school I was harassed online,\u201d said Hudson, who is the reigning USOA Miss Chapel Hill, where she lives while attending school. \u201cAfter I reported the online harassment to authorities, my perpetrator did not like that. So, he decided to cyberbully me. That was a really pivotal experience in my life.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back, I wouldn\u2019t take it back because it\u2019s really shaped me and molded me into who I am today. That\u2019s how I created my platform to speak up for social media safety,\u201d Hudson said.<\/p>\n
Hudson earned a B.A. in Media and Journalism with a second major in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently pursuing a dual-degree program in law and a master\u2019s degree at the University of North Carolina School of Law and the UNC School of Journalism and Media.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have tried to transform Speak Up for Social Media Safety into not just a tool for advocating about the dangers of online, but showing people how social media can be put to good use as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m advocating for some changes with schools and the law to protect people who might find themselves in the position that I once was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locklear\u2019s platform promotes women\u2019s empowerment and the importance of uplifting one another. Through GLOW, she encourages participation in her GLOW Challenge, hosts empowerment training, and creates and distributes motivational keychains.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that women shine and create spaces for others,\u201d Locklear said. \u201cThrough encouragement and mentorship, GLOW focuses on building confidence in sisterhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve created GLOW circles within the community. I\u2019ve put up flyers around my school, on Facebook and Instagram promoting my platform.\u201d<\/p>\n
The USOA state competition included private interviews and on-stage evening gown, swimsuit and patriotic wear competitions as well as an on-stage question. Hudson won in patriotic wear and Locklear was runner-up in patriotic wear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a really good experience (in Greenville),\u201d said Locklear, who is 16 years old and a sophomore at West Bladen High School. \u201cI have loved the friendships I\u2019ve made throughout the journey of competing, the community service and connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locklear began competing in pageants in 2023 and has been crowned USA Elite Miss Junior Teen, Coastal Carolina USA, Coastal Carolina Junior Teen and Miss Robeson County Junior Teen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always remembered to stay connected to the sister queens that I\u2019ve met throughout the years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited about (the national pageant),\u201d said Locklear, who will make her first flight when she heads for Las Vegas. \u201cI\u2019m glad I have the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hudson has been participating in pageants since she was six years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came home one day with a flyer from our local high school,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cThey were putting on a fundraiser and there was a form for a pageant for little girls. I said, \u201cMom, I think I want to do this. Ever since then, I\u2019ve been hooked and loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bladen County ladies will spend the next month preparing for the national competition in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrinity and I are really excited to present our local community and the state,\u201d Hudson said.<\/p>\n