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CHARLOTTE, N.C./August 23, 2019 –��Miss North Carolina, Alexandra Badgett, met with students at �ǿ����޴�ý during a College Tour in conjunction with Miss Taste of Charlotte. Badgett, a Charlotte native, is hoping to recruit more African American women for pageants.

As Badgett emphasized, the benefits of participating in pageants is endless. Miss America is the number one leading organization of scholarships for women.

“I am 22 and debt free so that is just a blessing within itself,” she explained. Badgett received a $22,000 scholarship from the Miss America North Carolina Scholarship Organization.

In addition to the financial impact that is afforded to pageant winners, there is also an opportunity for community engagement. As Miss North Carolina, Badgett has the opportunity to create two initiatives during her term.��

“You are able to come into this organization and really figure out who you are and grow through the opportunities that’s giving back to the community that’s given so much to you,” Badgett said.��

Badgett will represent North Carolina for the next year, traveling across the state to spread her mission, help community and meet constituents.

“The state of North Carolina has some great people, and a lot of diverse people and I think it allows me the opportunity to hit every town in the state to be able to get involved.”��

Badgett’s visit to JCSU, Charlotte’s only Historically Black College and University, is crucial to her recruiting efforts. With African American women holding the titles of Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America, the organization is hoping more young African American women become interested in pageants. Badgett knows the optics is extremely important.

“I think being able to have an African American Miss USA, Miss America, Miss Teen USA, really gives little kids, not just African American kids, all kids the opportunity to say wow that could be me. I could do that.” She added, “It was also a motivating factor for me as well. Just to say these are girls that have been in my place, girls that have been in my position that are now women making the biggest impact in their community and across the nation. I would love to be able to do that also.”

Badgett wrapped by emphasizing the great opportunities that come with pageants.��

“It’s so much more than the sash and the crown; it’s about the person within and what you want to do with your community. I want my legacy to be at the end of this, no matter where we are, no matter what opportunity we were at, you met Alexandra, not only you met Miss North Carolina.”