Young women from across the Wilmington area will soon compete for the title of Azalea Festival Princess in the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival 2025 Scholarship Pageant.
Here’s what to know about the pageant.
The pageant is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. It will be held at Kenan Auditorium on the campus of UNCW, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington.
This year’s pageant will feature 32 contestants from area high schools.
According to the pageant website, contestants meet weekly for more than two months to learn public speaking, interview, and presentation skills. On the night of the pageant, contestants are narrowed down to the top 15, and then the top five, which will become the Princess Court. The Princess will then be announced from the top five finalists.
This year’s pageant features a special “People’s Choice” online contest, which serves as a fundraiser for the scholarship pageant. The winner of the “People’s Choice” contest will become a bonus 16th contestant, joining the top 15. For more information or to cast a vote, visit the People’s Choice contest website.
More than $12,000 in college scholarships is awarded during the pageant. The winner receives the Beverly Anne Jurgensen Scholarship, which is named for the past president of the North Carolina Azalea Festival.
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@gannett.com.
