La Grange girls take home crowns

In pageants open to a broad regional area, two hometown girls won the titles in Saturday night’s competition at Lenoir Community College’s Waller Auditorium.

Dani Jarman became Miss Kinston-Lenoir County 2010, and Kelsey Holmes captured the Outstanding Teen crown. Both girls are from La Grange.

“I can hardly believe it,” Jarman said. “I have worked so hard for this, yet it’s hard to believe it’s really happened.”

Jarman also won the Talent Award — a $100 scholarship — for her jazz dance, the Community Service Award and the People’s Choice Award.

The 19-year-old is a graduate of LCC’s cosmetology program and works at the Beauty Box. She was sponsored by Pizza Villa. She is a North Lenoir High School graduate and the daughter of Rich and Robin Jarman of La Grange.

Holmes also won the Talent Award — a $100 scholarship — for her opera performance, the Community Service Award and was voted Miss Congeniality. She was sponsored by Kinston Pediatric Associates. She is a North Lenoir freshman and is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Holmes of La Grange.

Molly Deans, an East Carolina University student from Durham, was first runner-up in the Miss Kinston-Lenoir County competition. Emily Huneycutt, from Stanley County and also an ECU student, was second runner-up.

Deans also won the Swimsuit Award, and Erin Jackson of Kinston was voted Miss Congeniality.

In Miss Outstanding Teen competition, Megan Griffin of Ayden was first runner-up and winner of the Fitness Award. Megan Hemby of Lenoir County won the People’s Choice Award.

Contestants from six surrounding counties can enter the Kinston-Lenoir County pageant, and the Outstanding Teen is an open program.

A special appearance by Katherine Southard, Miss North Carolina 2009, and musical presentations by Chrissie Taylor Blackmon (Miss Kinston 1994), Miss Greater Wilmington 2009 Stevie Rivenbark, and emcees Jay Sauls and Michelle Braxton highlighted the program, directed by Reid Taylor.

Blackmon announced the first presentation of the education scholarship as a memorial to the late Max Blizzard. The committee establishing the scholarship hopes soon to reach the endowment stage with funds. Jarman is the first recipient of this scholarship.

Nancy S. Saunders can be reached at 252-559-1079 or nsaunders@freedomenc.com.

Winnings

Miss Kinston-Lenoir County

$1,000 Max Blizzard Memorial Educational Scholarship

$1,000 wardrobe allowance

Crown

Portrait by Photographic Expressions by Isaac

Flowers by Rider Florist

Miss Outstanding Teen

$500 savings bond

$500 wardrobe allowance

Crown

Flowers by Rider Florist