African-American makes historic win
By J.D. Walker
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - RaSheeda Waddell, 20, became the first African-American to
win the title of Miss Randolph County Saturday, a historic win for the pageant's
50th anniversary.
Waddell will go on to represent the county in the next Miss North Carolina
pageant.
She shared a night of anticipation and sparkle with the fourth new Miss
Central Carolina, Heather Shaw, 21, of Raleigh, who will also go on to compete
in the state pageant.
Under the direction of pageant executive director Joyce Brantley, 17
contestants vied for the two titles.
The crowd in the Asheboro High School Performing Arts Center enthusiastically
cheered the contestants on, especially during the portion of the program
when this year's challengers honored previous Miss Randolph and Miss Central
Carolina winners in song.
Melva Houston, a renown jazz vocalist, also performed during the evening.
The crowd was awash with glittering tiaras and sparkling gowns as the
former queens paraded across the stage and through the auditorium just prior
to the announcement of the night's winners.
Waddell was all smiles and a bit teary-eyed as she accepted the crown
from 2004 Miss Randolph County Sarah Hayes of Trinity.
"This is something I've wanted to do since I was 15 years old,"
she said.
Waddell, a resident of Greensboro, received a $1,000 scholarship in recognition
of her talent, poise, intellect and beauty.
Waddell wowed the audience and judges with her rendition of "O mio
babbino caro" from the one-act Italian opera, "Gianni Schicchi"
by Giacomo Puccini.
She said she plans to use the scholarship money to continue her education
in musical performance in college in Hampton, Va. Looking ahead, she said
she hopes to go to graduate school to develop her operatic skills.
Asked if this could be the start of a road that could eventually end
up on a stage in New York, Waddell's smile brightened even more and she
said, "Oh, yes!"
Lane Ragsdale, emcee for the golden anniversary event and former director
of the pageant for many years, was especially pleased with her win.
"It was the most wonderful thing for me to see. It is a dream come
true. It demonstrates a climate of inclusiveness in the county," he
said.
The other queen, Heather Shaw, won the hearts of the judges with her
vocal presentation of the Broadway favorite, "Golden Rainbow."
A graduate of N.C. State University, she works with the North Carolina
Theater. She plans to spend the next year carrying a message of "Arts
Empowerment" to youngsters across the state. She also received a $1,000
scholarship.
Waddell and Shaw were surrounded by a Court of Honor that included first
runner-up, Bridget Evelyn, 21, who will fill in should either woman fail
to complete her duties in 2005.
Other members of the court were Stephanie Saunders, second runner-up;
Laura Shumate, third runner-up; and Kari Ann Sparks, fourth runner-up.
Other contestants in the two-day pageant were Amanda Chastain, Jennifer
Gregson, Allison Hester, Jessica Jacobs, Jennifer Jones, Hannah Kiefer,
Sarah King, Sara Snow, Kimberly Thompson, Paige Wainright and Ashanti White.
Individuals recognized as leaders among the non-finalists were Chastain
for her presentation during the interview portion of the elimination and,
in the talent portion, Kiefer, Hester and Thompson.
Kiefer was also recognized for having sold the most tickets to the event.
The 50th anniversary of the Miss Randolph pageant, which began in June
1955, brought out a succession of former queens.
The Queen of Randolph competition has produced a history of successful
winners, both in the pageant and in life. Sally Stedman and the late Judi
Klipfel both captured the Miss North Carolina crown while representing Randolph
County. Kelly Trogdon, a former queen, also won the Miss North Carolina
title in 1999. Carolyn Jones, a musician and Randolph resident; Cheryl Hebert,
a dance captain and choreographer for the Radio City Rockettes in New York
City; Melanie Stone, a Chicago opera singer; Lori Ann Little Owen, a businesswoman
and philanthropist; Ashley Matlock, a Raleigh attorney; and Erica Gurley,
an educator, placed in the top 5 at the Miss North Carolina Pageant. Betsy
Carol Lane, Diana Johnson, Sharon Mathis, Robyn Allred, Joy Hussey, Delane
Bovender and Megan Jarrett placed in the top ten at the state pageant.
Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group
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