North Carolina Spot Festival Scholarship Pageant
2015 Baby Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Paislee Caroline Graham
Wow! Becoming the NC Spot Festival Baby Queen has truly been a magical experience. I have felt like a real princess, even though I had no hair to keep my crown on my head. Throughout the year I have made many new friends and have had wonderful experiences. I enjoyed being in the parades and getting to wave and smile at everyone. I have enjoyed attending festivals representing as the NC Spot Baby Queen. I really enjoyed them if there was a horse (horsie) that I could ride on.
To my pageant sisters. I am so proud to call each one of you my pageant sister. You all have treated me just like a little sister should be treated. You have played with me, held me, entertained me when it was not my turn to do something, and made me laugh when I was not in the best of moods.
I would like to say thank you to my mommy for painting my pretty fingernails and toenails. Thanks for making me look pretty and feel like a princess. To daddy, thanks for driving me in the parades and supporting me with the pageant events, even if it meant you had to give up your fishing to help with my car wash fundraiser. Thank you for always telling I look so pretty when I ask, “Daddy do I look pretty?” To my bro bro, Thomas Wade- Thank you for riding with me in the parades as The Little International Sunburst King and attending all the festivals with me. To my G-ma and Grandmama- Thank you for watching me back stage and keeping me entertained at events when it was not my turn to do something. You know me as a 1 year old my attention is not very long.
To Mrs. Shannon, Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thanks for all the gifts that I received when I became NC Spot baby Queen
To Mrs. Kelly, Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for giving me your sunglasses to wear at the Azalea Parade.
To the new queens, enjoy your year as the NC Spot Queens
Your 2015 NC Spot Festival Baby Queen, Paislee Caroline Graham
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2015 NC Spot Festival Queen's Court
2015 Mini Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Parker Flynn Wells
2015 Tiny Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Madeleine Miller
I had a lot of fun this year as the 2015 Tiny Miss Spot Queen. I met lots of new people and I got to wear a sparkly crown. My sissy was a Spot Queen and I wanted to be just like her. I know she would be very proud of me. I want to say thank you to my family for helping me. I love you very much. And I want to say thank you to my Spot Family. To Ms. Shannon and Ms. Kelly, you are the best directors I have ever had. I couldn't do this without you. To Paisley, keep being as cute as you are. Parker, I love all your sassiness. Never lose it! To Dana, thank you for being my best friend. Amanda, you are an awesome Mermaid. And very funny. Sydney, I will always remember your pretty smile. To Taylor, thank you for being so sweet to me. And Jaime, I sure love to hear you sing. To the next Tiny Miss Spot Queen, good luck and have fun. You are going to have a blast! So, one last time, I am Maddie Miller, your 2015-2016 Tiny Miss Spot Queen
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2015 Little Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Dana Solomon
Wow, time sure does fly when you are having fun. It has been an amazing year filled with firsts, opportunities, learning experiences, new friendships and bonding. I don’t think there is a greater honor than being able to spend your year helping your community. Sure, I loved wearing the sparkly crown, doing my makeup and wearing fancy dresses, who wouldn’t? But that is not at all what this pageant is about, it is about learning discipline, responsibility, poise and grace. It’s about giving back to our community and doing it all with a smile, no matter how early you had to wake up. It truly does take a community to raise a queen.
There are so many people that I have to thank for helping me throughout this past year, I can’t possibly thank them all, but in particular, I would like to thank Canines for Service for allowing me to take part in such a great organization. To my sweet little sister Kelsey, thank you for sitting through all my events and cheering me on. I love you so much! Dad, even though you couldn’t be here thank you for renting parade cars, helping where you could, cheering me on, and being my personal photographer. To Mom, thank you so much for everything. Thank you for sacrificing your time, planning and coordinating for all my events. I really appreciated all of it. Mariah, thank you so much for working to perfect all my looks, lending your makeup expertise, and all your back stage support. To the Armsteads, Miss Jenn and Mr. Paul, thank you for helping me bring life to Lil’ Spot by helping me to perfect my rap and outfit. And Sophia and Gigi, thanks for cheering me on.
To my sister queens: Paislee, you are such a sweet little girl and I loved watching you grow this year. I can’t wait to see the person you grow to be. Parker, what a kind hearted, respectful, and beautiful young lady you are. I loved all the time we spent together and thank you so much for keeping Kelsey company. Maddie, although you couldn’t join us tonight, I hope that you know how much I enjoyed our year together and loved being parade buddies. Sydney, I’m very lucky to have spent the year with you. You are so beautiful and talented, and I look forward to seeing you on the big screen someday. Taylor, there are no words to describe how lucky I am to have spent this year getting to know you. I cherish our memories from the parades to singing Christmas songs together. Thank you so much for treating me like a peer, no matter the age difference. Amanda, from day one, you have treated me as a friend. I can’t thank you enough for all the pageant advice, and it was nice to have someone who I can relate to so well. I enjoyed all the time we spent together. Jamie, you are not just a pageant sister, but a real sister to me. You were there to pick me up when I fell. I have loved all our late night chats. Thank you for everything. Finally, to Mrs. Shannon and Mrs. Kelly, thank you for the opportunity to help our community while representing NC Spot Festival Scholarship Pageant. It was such an honor to make a difference and get to know you both.
And to the future Queens, cherish every moment and try not to blink; this is a year you will never want to end. And always remember to do the “Spot Fish”.
For the last time I am your 2015 Little Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
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2015 Teen Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Taylor Horrell
I feel like just yesterday was the night I was crowned, and it’s crazy to think that tonight I will crown the new Teen Miss NC Spot Festival Queen. This past year has been one that I will never forget and will always cherish. Ms. Shannon and Ms. Kelly, Thank you for always being there when I needed to know what to wear, where to go, or anything else important. Nana and Papa, Thank you for always buying me the sparkly dresses I needed and making sure I had the perfect look. I love you both. Auntie and Uncle Scottie, Thank you for always making sure I was at my events and that I was prepared for performances. The rest of my family, Thank you for supporting me throughout my life and this past year, I love you all. Finally to my sisters queen’s, y’all will forever be in my heart. Paislee, you are the cutest little thing and have the funniest little personality, don't ever change. Parker, girly you are my little mini me and I can't describe how fun it was to have you around this past year. Don't ever change your spunky little personality and keep being sassy, but not too sassy to your mama. Maddie, you have changed so much over this year and I couldn't be more proud of the little girl you have grown into. Dana, you are like the little sister I never had. I'm so glad we were able to become close this year, always keep true to you. Sydney, You are a bright and beautiful young lady. I'm glad that you are the queen just under me, even though you're a whole foot taller than me. Amanda, where do I start, I don't have enough time to explain us lol. Being only a few days apart in age it was great to have someone to share the same life experiences with me. Thank you! And Jaime, Thank you for being the big sister that I needed. Good Luck at UNCW! Girls, I will miss you all so much and am so excited to see where all of our journeys will lead. Thank you to the community! For the last time I am your 2015 Teen Miss NC Spot Festival Queen, Taylor Horrell.
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2015 Mermaid Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Amanda Lynn Barnette
Wow… I can’t believe it’s already been a year! Every little girl dreams of being a mermaid, and last year, I was honored to be crowned your 2015 Mermaid Miss NC Spot Festival Queen. I am so blessed to have been able to experience this year with so many wonderful people. First, I want to thank God for everything He has blessed me with! I am sad for this year to be over with, but I am so happy to have all of the wonderful memories I’ve made.
I would like to thank my family for all the support they’ve shown me. I love you all so much! Mom, thank you for always being my number one fan and for always knowing exactly how to calm my frazzled nerves. Dad, thank you for all the love and support you show me and for all you do. And to Steven and Casey…thanks for showing me how great it is to have big brothers! For always being there for me, for having my back, cheering me up, and for all the ways you made me laugh. I am so proud to be your little sister! Nana, I miss you so very much and hope I’ve made you proud this last year. Shannon and Kelly… Thank you for this opportunity and for all of the wonderful memories and fun I have had this year. I really enjoyed all the selfies we took and all of our funny inside jokes. Shannon, I loved riding with you in the parades, having someone I could talk to, and someone who gets my sense of humor. Getting to spend time with you this last year was one of my favorite parts and I want you to know exactly how much that meant to me. I am so honored to have been a part of such a great organization like the Spot Festival. I have loved representing and getting to know all of the wonderful people in Hampstead and the surrounding areas; everyone has so much pride and love for their community. They all made me feel like royalty and so special! And to Mrs. Hazel, thank you for everything this last year, whether it was holding all my bags while I have to take a picture, always making me feel like one of the family, or being a second mom to me and taking such good care of me this year.
And to my pageant sisters, this is the hardest goodbye. I love and will miss you all so much! Paislee, I loved seeing your sweet face this year and watching you grow. Parker, I loved seeing all your pretty outfits and your outgoing personality. Maddie, I am so proud of you and have loved getting to know you and your family. I especially loved all the funny selfies we took and your cute little giggles. Dana, I knew from the moment we met that you were such a special person and I always love having you around. Sydney, what can I even say? You have become one of my closest friends. It’s nice having someone as goofy as I am around. Whether it’s singing High School Musical, Taylor swift, or goofing around on a go cart… You are truly one in a “minion.” Taylor, I was so happy when I realized we would spend this year together. We always find ourselves in funny situations and I am glad you were there to laugh along with me. I can easily say we will not forget this time together! Jaime, I will miss you so much I have enjoyed spending time with you this last year. We have so many great memories that I will cherish forever. So glad we got to do this together.
I hope the next Mermaid Miss has as much fun as I have had. Just remember: Get your tail to the beach. Sea treasures in simple things. Be calm in the storm. Leave no shell unturned. Make a wish upon a starfish. Avoid Shallow Living. Sing your own song. Beauty is within. Play in the water. Have no fear of depths. And…Seas the day. God Bless!
And for the last time, I am your 2015 Mermaid Miss NC Spot Festival Queen…Amanda Lynn Barnette.
2015 Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Jaime Rae Verteramo
Wow…I cannot believe it has been one whole year that I have been crowned your 2015 Miss NC Spot Festival Queen. Time surely does fly when you’re having fun and I must say that I have had an amazing experience being your queen. The NC Spot Festival Pageant was my very first pageant I ever participated in and getting the chance to represent my wonderful community of Hampstead was the biggest blessing.
First off, I want to say thank you a million to Shannon, Kelly and the NC Spot Festival organization for keeping this pageant going strong. Without all of you guys, we wouldn’t be where we are today without your support and love. The Spot Festival and Pageant has been going on since 1963 and I am so honored to be a part of a very successful organization. To my Mom, you are the most amazing mother ever! Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everything you have done for me for the past twenty one years. You have always had my back through everything and I am so appreciative for you Mom! You always know how to make my day better if I am stressed or upset. I want to be like you one day! You most definitely are number one in my book! To Eric, wow… what can I say, you are the most amazing person I have ever met. I am so thankful GOD put you in my life. You have always been so patient with me while I have had my events throughout the year. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me! You are truly amazing! To Amanda, You have always been so helpful to me when it comes to pageant stuff! I remember backstage throughout the entire pageant, we were cheering each other on and I would always ask you and your mom all these questions about pageant stuff! You and I have definitely gotten close throughout the year and I am so thankful for our friendship! You will definitely do amazing things in life! Always remember that I am here for you whenever you need me! To Taylor, thank you so much for your amazing friendship! I am so glad I got the chance to reign with you this year! My favorite memory of us was when you, me and Dana did the Warsaw Veterans Day parade! The truck ride throughout the parade was fantastic! I will never forget when I said “WOW! We really are the down home southern queens!” You will do amazing things at Campbell University and I cannot wait to see you spread your wings! To Sydney, girl you are so talented beyond measure! I was so excited to hear about when you were on the cooking shows when you were younger! We definitely have something in common and that’s cooking! I would love to cook with you one day! You have always been a good friend to me during our reign! We would always have good conversations about anything and everything and that’s something I will cherish the rest of my life! I can’t wait to see where life takes you because I know you will be amazing at whatever you do! Keep up the good work! To Dana, OMG I don’t even know where to start! You are seriously the best little sister and friend that I could ever ask for. I am so thankful to have you in my life! You were always there for me in my times of need and you would always stay up late and listen to me on the phone! I am so beyond thankful we got to know each other this year and reign together. Thank you so much for always taking cute and sassy Snapchats with me! I miss you so much and I will definitely come to Florida and visit you! Always remember that I am here for you and that I will always have late night phone conversations anytime! To Maddie, I am so blessed I got the chance to reign this year with you! You were always such a sweetheart and always had the biggest smile! I am going to miss you so much! I hope you have an amazing time in Germany! I will never forget the memories we had together! Thank you so much for being such an inspiration to me! To Parker, I loved getting to know and reign with you this year! I always loved your beautiful outfits that you wore to all of the events. You always had a beautiful smile and you loved getting pictures taken! You are going to be one beautiful young lady! I hope we get to make more memories in the future! To Paisley, I am so thankful that I got to reign with you this year! You’re the most adorable baby I have ever seen and I am so glad that we made memories together this year! I hope that we get to make more memories sometime in the future! Maybe we will be in another pageant together! Always stay true to yourself and always keep that beautiful smile of yours!
There are no words to express my gratitude to everyone who has given me support and love during my reign as queen. To all the new Spot Fest Queens, I know you all will be amazing in representing this great community of Hampstead and the NC Spot Festival. You will make amazing friendships throughout your reign that will last a lifetime. Welcome to one of the best sisterhoods! Good luck to you beautiful ladies and I know you will do amazing!
Forever your 2015 Miss NC Spot Festival Queen,
Jaime Rae Verteramo
2015 Young Miss NC Spot Festival Queen
Sydney Ann McCoy
I have had the privilege to represent Hampstead and the great state of NC as the Young Miss NC Spot Festival Queen for the past year. It has been an amazing experience with memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Let me take you on a whirlwind tour with me…
We started off singing at the Spot Festival. Although it rained and we could not do the fireworks, all of the court had fun getting to know each other and starting our year-long journey together. In October I was invited to be a judge at the NC Fair Specialty Cooking Contests. Our photo shoot was a day I will never forget. We took photos at the Wilmington Arboretum and on the beach near the Fort Fisher Aquarium. Next came the Turkey Trot at the Hampstead Kiwanis Park. It was a chilly day but the runners turned up the heat and we all enjoyed the hay ride. Xmas was here before we knew it and it was a busy and fun time. We all rode in the Topsail Xmas Parade and Amanda and I were invited to a special event at the Mermaids Purse. Talk about cold…that was the Dolphin Dip. We sang the national anthem and then took the plunge with hundreds of people and pets into the ocean to celebrate the New Year. Spring was just around the corner and we were all working on our platforms and making appearances. I emceed the Apex Founder’s day run; taught a class for kids with Raleigh Little Theatre and was a guest at the Chef’s Academy. The Hampstead Car Show invited us to sing and then we took great photos with fantastic vintage cars. That same afternoon we performed at a birthday fundraiser for a local boy. I proudly represented my title at the Girls World Expo in Raleigh along with Amanda. The Azalea Festival and the parade was a highlight of the year. We met many other queens and I rode in a VW convertible for the parade. It aired live on TV! Our car wash at the local McDonalds was a huge success and we raised over $300. Salty Girls from Topsail Island invited me to be a part of their one year anniversary. Way to go ladies! On the fourth of July I was a part of the celebrations at Surf City. Our NC Peach Queen and I did an event together. I was a judge at the Apex Farmers Day Cooking Contest. The perfect ending for my reign was the Seafood Festival at the NC State Farmers Market.
I would like to thank Miss Patty Homa for being my sponsor and platform guide; Miss Shannon and Miss Kelly, thank you for all of your hard work and a Xmas party to remember; Miss Shelly, thank you for being my second mom and clothes hanger and to Amanda for always being there for me. Mom and dad, thank you for the debit card, hair pins, hair spray, support and careful driving when I was trying to put on my crown and makeup. Thank you to all of my friends who have tagged along to help me get ready or volunteer. Miss Paisley: I first met you with your squeaky shoes and grandma dancing in the isles. You have grown so much and I commend your mom for her hard work with challenged kids. Your donations of clothes for kids in need are greatly appreciated. Miss Parker: your smile is amazing and you are so sassy. Your platform was Hats for Hope for kids with cancer. This is such a dark time for families and you brought some light into their lives. Miss Maddie: honoring your sister was a big part of your year. Thank you for one of her dresses. Although you moved to Germany I will never forget you or your mom Auf Wiedersehen and keep in touch. Miss Dana: thank you for the mobile home for the Spot Festival. Although we got rained out we spent a great time together having snacks and getting to know each other. Miss Amanda: what a great friend. We had so many fun memories together. I wish you the best in your future dreams and hope that we will always be friends. Miss Taylor: Off to college this year. Follow your dreams. You rocked the stage last year and have done so much with your Good Shepherd House fundraiser. Miss Jamie: Congratulations on your scholarship from the Spot Festival. Your opera is fantastic. I wish you much luck in your future and music career. Best luck to all of the contestants and I wish you a fun filled year!
Sydney McCoy, 2015 Young Miss NC Spot Festival Queen.