‘It’s been absolutely crazy’

Carrie Everett is ecstatic about being Miss North Carolina.

“It’s been absolutely crazy,” the 20-year-old said. “I was hoping to win, but I didn’t expect it.”

On June 29, Everett, who held the title of Miss Johnston County, was crowned Miss North Carolina.

“I really didn’t have any words,” she said. “I almost passed out because I was so excited. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

In the two months since, Everett has attended a range of community events — from the 2024 Gala at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro to a charity’s annual basketball camp in Raleigh.

“Being Miss North Carolina is a 24/7 job,” Everett said. “I could get a call to jump on a Zoom call for an interview or I could have an event in the middle of the day. I could be meeting people or talking about my initiatives.”

But she maintains a balance between the personal and professional. “For me, that looks like reading, that looks like prayer, and that looks like spending time by myself,” Everett said. “Delegating time for yourself is super important for your mental health.”

The Miss North Carolina platform allows Everett to spread awareness of her community service initiative, “We Need Equity to Build Communities.” Her goal is to break down barriers to give more young women the chance to be part of the Miss America organization.

“I get to speak to young girls all over the state about how to get involved with this organization — interview skills, speaking, walking, talking and everything in between,” Everett said,

Through Miss America, she has had opportunities not available to many young women don’t get to do, Everett said. “Being a part of the Miss America opportunity really teaches young women how to carry themselves, how to have confidence and how to recognize their accomplishments,” she said.

“Since I was crowned, I’ve been getting reactions from young women, especially young women of color, who are excited to see me in this role because they can see themselves in me,” Everett said.

As Miss North Carolina, Everett wants to be the voice of young women like herself. “It’s about being a representative of young women who not only look like me but live life like me, who aren’t the most financially stable, who didn’t come up with privilege, and young women who have seen things that other people would not see,” she said. “I’m representing the young women who don’t have it, but they’re prepared to give everything.”

It means a lot to her to represent those girls, Everett said. “I’m truly elated to be in this position,” she said. “I feel blessed and honored that young women look up to me. Because honestly, sometimes I’m like, ‘Who am I?’ But now I can say that I’m somebody, and young women can also see somebody in themselves through me.”

Everett would like to continue to gain experience and scholarships as she goes on in the pageant world. “I gained so much in scholarships, and I want to keep gaining more scholarship money,” Everett said.

Everett received a $20,000 scholarship as Miss North Carolina, and she picked up another $3,500 for winning preliminary competitions during the pageant.

“I would like to continue to gain experience on stage,” Everett added. “I am a vocal performance major. Being on stage in front of thousands of people all the time and being confident enough to say that this is who I am and what I have to offer is something that I will never stop gaining from this organization.”

Everett will continue to push forward in the pageant world. “I would really like to become Miss America,” she said. “But if it doesn’t happen, that’s completely fine. I will just continue my advocacy for young women, especially women of color, to be involved in spaces that they’ve been kept out of.

“I would also like to continue to help young women build their confidence, learn how to interview and get the professional development and experience they need for the world.”

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