crowned Miss UNCP 2010 in front of an enthusiastic audience of
1,000 in the Givens Performing Arts Center.
Walters represented the University at the Miss North Carolina
Pageant in June.
From Raeford, N.C., Walters bested five contestants to win the
Miss UNC Pembroke Scholarship Pageant. For the winner, the
title brings nearly $5,000 in scholarships and prizes.
For Walters, it was her second trip to the Miss North Carolina
Pageant. As Miss Fayetteville, she competed in 2007.
The 58th annual pageant sported the theme, "I Am What I
Am," and was a night of star-studded entertainment. Reigning
Miss North Carolina Katherine Southard and Miss North Carolina
2000 Lorna Ricotta served as Mistresses of Ceremonies and
performed.
Miss UNCP 2009, Katy Helen Locklear, also performed
the pageant theme song and delivered the traditional farewell
address. Locklear will be remembered as a popular and hard-
working queen, who made more than 100 appearances as an
ambassador of the University.
Walters set the bar high during the talent portion of the
contest when she lit up the audience with a rendition of "Brave."
Walters' platform is HEARTStrings: Helping Educate and Reach
through Song.
during the on-stage interview. "I start with their feelings and
senses, then we express it with music and song."
First Runner-up was Arlene Grady of Spring Hope, N.C.;
Second Runner-up was Ashton Young of Garner, N.C.; and Third
Runner-up was Kelsey Cummings of Pembroke. Each contestant
was awarded a scholarship.
Grady also won the Miss Congeniality Award and Walters
won the Jessica Reed Family Community Service Scholarship.
Ashton Young won the new Scholastic Achievement Award for
the contestant with the highest grade point average.
The talent competition showed off the diverse talents of the
six contestants. Cummings played a piano rendition of a Chopin
piece and Chelsea Collier of Fayetteville, N.C., played the violin.
Mary Ann McGirt of Laurinburg, N.C., and Young clogged.
Clogging may evoke traditional mountain folklore but this pair
took the art form to an all new level in the 21st century.
In the audience were approximately two dozen other queens
and princesses who participated in the pageant. Also attending
was Alan Clouse, executive director of the Miss North Carolina
Pageant.
In an interview following the event, Walters said she will
"work harder and practice my poise and elegance. I'm ready to
go back in the spotlight."
2009 winner Katie Locklear, right