ABOUT

About the Miss Morganton Scholarship Organization

The Miss Morganton Scholarship Organization celebrates strong, dedicated young women who serve as goodwill ambassadors for our community. Our titleholders embody the spirit of leadership and mentorship, becoming role models today while building a stronger tomorrow. Throughout their reign, they actively promote their communities, champion their personal community service initiatives, and embrace the value of giving back. Through the Carolina Star Program, they mentor future generations, leaving a lasting legacy of service and inspiration as they prepare for their future endeavors.

A Legacy of Excellence

The tradition of pageantry in Morganton began in 1938 with the Mimosa Festival. In the 1960s, the Miss Morganton Pageant was officially established under the Morganton Jaycees. Winners represented the area at the Miss North Carolina competition, and in 1962, Janice Elizabeth Barron achieved the prestigious title of Miss North Carolina, later competing at Miss America. Over the years, many remarkable women have held the Miss Morganton title, including Kim Cozart, who was 1st runner-up at Miss North Carolina in 1983. Other notable queens include Sherri McGimsey (founder of Sherri’s School of Dance), Elizabeth Bailey, Terri Fox Williams, Teresa Webb Gregory, Rhea Lineberger Ross, and Tammy Roberts.

Following the 1984 pageant, the competition was paused until its revival in 2018, held alongside the Historic Morganton Festival.

Joining the Miss North Carolina Organization

In 2023, the Miss Morganton Scholarship Organization became an official competition within the Miss North Carolina Organization as a festival competitor. That year, Miss Morganton and Miss Morganton’s Teen proudly competed at the Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen pageants for the first time in nearly 40 years, aspiring to advance to the iconic Miss America stage.

The Miss America Organization, the largest scholarship provider for women in the United States, aligns perfectly with our mission to empower and support young women in achieving their dreams.

Expanding Our Reach

In 2024, the Miss Morganton Scholarship Organization became an official local preliminary to Miss North Carolina and introduced a new title: Miss Catawba Valley. For the 2025 season, we further expanded to include Miss Caldwell County and Miss Carolina Foothills, welcoming more talented young women to represent our region on the Miss North Carolina stage.

Investing in Education

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Miss Morganton Scholarship Organization is committed to empowering our delegates through education. By providing scholarships, we aim to support their academic and career aspirations, ensuring they have the resources to pursue their goals and make a meaningful impact on their communities.