Scholarship Pageant
The Festival’s Scholarship Princess tradition began in 1949, and for the 80th Festival, that tradition continues through an expanded experience focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
LEARN · GROW · CONNECT · SERVE · LEAD
NCAF Scholarship Pageant
For 80 Festivals, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has brought people together in celebration of our community.
Now, the next generation is invited to become part of that story.
The NCAF Scholarship Pageant is a modern pageant experience rich in history and rooted in purpose. Through Festival education, leadership development, civic engagement, public speaking, professional development, relationship building, and scholarship opportunities, young women gain skills and experiences designed to support their educational and personal goals.
The program is inspired by one of the Festival's most recognizable symbols: the five-petal azalea bloom.
Scholarship • Leadership • Civic Engagement • Community Pride
Five Petals. One Purpose.
The NCAF Scholarship Pageant combines Festival education, leadership development, civic engagement, public speaking, professional development, relationship building, and scholarship opportunities to help young women develop skills that can support their educational, professional, and personal goals.
LEARN | Know the Story
Discover the history, mission, traditions, people, and community impact of the North Carolina Azalea Festival—and learn how to confidently share its story.
GROW | Find Your Voice
Strengthen confidence, public speaking, interviewing, critical thinking, professional presence, and communication skills.
CONNECT | Build Community
Develop relationships with fellow candidates, Festival leaders, volunteers, community partners, civic leaders, and professionals while building networking and collaboration
skills.
SERVE | Engage With Purpose
Put civic engagement into action through community involvement and service while discovering where your interests and talents can make a difference.
LEAD | Bloom With Purpose
Bring the other four petals together through leadership, initiative, accountability, advocacy, decision-making, and representation.
YOUR CIVIC VOICE
New for the 80th Festival, every Scholarship Pageant Contestant will develop a personal Civic Engagement Platform centered on an issue or cause that matters to her. Candidates will identify a community need, consider how their experiences have shaped their perspective, and develop a practical way to use their voice to engage others and make a difference.
About the Scholarship Pageant
Junior girls from area high schools compete for the title based on a private interview with judges, evening gown competition and on-stage presentation. Truist is the Title Sponsor of the North Carolina Azalea Festival Scholarship Pageant. The Princess is the recipient of the Beverly Anne Jurgensen Scholarship Award in the amount of $6,250, named after the beloved Past President of the Azalea Festival. The Festival Princess is sponsored in her reign by Camille’s of Wilmington, Official Stylist of our Royalty, and Dr. Sarah E. Pless, Renaissance Dental Studio.
LEGACY
Past Princesses
Honoring the remarkable young women who have served as Festival Princesses throughout our 76-year history.