(L-R) Heather Young, Alyssa Millikan, Lauryn Mallard, and Karie Grace Shields. (Photos courtesy of the Miss Randolph County Pageant Committee.)
UNC-Greensboro student wins first competition in two years
RANDLEMAN – A UNC-Greensboro student and a Uwharrie Charter student will represent Randolph County at the Miss North Carolina scholarship competition in 2022. Lauryn Mallard, a native of Advance, captured the crown of Miss Randolph County Saturday night at the Randleman Elementary School auditorium. High schooler Alyssa Millikan will serve as Miss Randolph County’s Outstanding Teen.
Mallard performed a lyrical dance in the talent portion of the competition and chose “St. Jude’s Research Children’s Hospital” as her Social Impact Platform.
In an interview with the North State Journal, Mallard said she was excited to begin her reign as the Queen of Randolph. “It means the absolute world to me to be Miss Randolph County,” said Mallard, “I am so blessed to have this platform and to serve our community in new and exciting ways. I’m looking forward to this year.”
Mallard is the daughter of Tony and Rebecca Mallard. Her career ambition is to be a pediatrician and a third-world medical missionary. She will finish her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science with a triple minor in Biology, Chemistry, and Dance during her reign. “I could never imagine a life without helping others,” said Mallard.
In addition to serving the local community, Mallard will have the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss North Carolina next summer in High Point. “I cannot express how excited I am to compete at Miss North Carolina in June,” she said. “It feels like an absolute dream and I am just grateful for the opportunity.”
Miss North Carollina, Carli Batson, was in attendance Saturday night along with her Outstanding Teen, Harley Tilque. Batson is a senior at Appalachian State University where she is the captain of the dance team. Batson will compete for the title of Miss America in December at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
Karie Grace Shields, a Stanly County native and graduate of Pfeiffer University was first runner-up. “Awaken Your Wonderfulness” is Shields’ community service platform. She is the daughter of Tommy and Vanessa Shields.
Alyssa Millikan was crowned Randolph County’s seventh Outstanding Teen. She is a student at Uwharrie Charter Academy High School and is the daughter of Eric and Amy Hogan of Asheboro. Milliken’s Social Impact Platform is “Seeds of Hope,” a non-profit organization that cares for and empowers foster and at-risk youth to succeed in life. Millikan said she plans to encourage children and young adults, in all circumstances, that “despite what they were born into, their situation does not define their future or identity.”
Heather Young, a home-school student, w
as chosen as the first runner-up in the Outstanding Teen division and her Social Impact Platform is “Chasing the Horizon”- Childhood Cancer and Awareness. She is the daughter of Danny and Sandy Young.
Cora Little will serve as Miss Randolph County’s Carolina Princess and Danica Stocum as Randolph County’s Outstanding Teen’s Carolina Princess. Cora is the daughter of Scot and Tracy Little and Danica is the daughter of Keith and Cherese Stocum.
The Miss Randolph County competition is supported by the Kiwanis Club of Asheboro and many of the event’s volunteers are members of the civic club that supports many charitable causes around Randolph County.
During the competition, Asheboro native and long-time Miss Randolph County and Miss North Carolina volunteer Lane Ragsdale was remembered. Ragsdale died in 2020.
Former Miss Randolph County and local businesswoman Lori Ann Owen and Asheboro native and NC State student Grayson Armstrong served as emcees for the event.
In the Outstanding Teen competition, Alyssa Millikan won the congeniality award and the community service award with Heather Young winning the Sally Stedman Talent Award.
In the Miss category, Karie Grace Shields won the congeniality award, Avery Combs won the community service award and Lauryn Mallard won the Sally Stedman Talent Award.
