By David Rogers. January 25, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Girls from all over Western North Carolina converged on Blowing Rock over the weekend for the first crowning of a "Little Miss Winterfest" -- just in time for the coming weekend's slate of events and activities. Emily Lauren Shuford of Hildebran, NC (click READ MORE), captured the "Grand Majestic" overall crown, while Leah Hampton of Boone won for "Grand Talent." Photos by David Rogers

But the REAL winner was Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S., the non-profit agency that helps area students and families with basic needs, from utility bills in the winter to groceries and clothes.

"I was so touched last year," Little Miss Winterfest organizer Carolyn Marley told Blowing Rock News in a Saturday interview, "by the ministry of the Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S. organization when I learned about them.  I suggested to Billie Rogers at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce that I would like to leverage my past experience in producing pageants to do one around Winterfest and donate the proceeds to Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S.  It is about children helping children, and helps instill in the minds of the pageant participants that there are people out there in need of help, and that there are creative ways for our community to provide that help."

Each of the contestants in six age groups of girls were required to compete in "Beauty" and "Winter Wear" categories.  In addition, they could optionally compete in "Talent", "Most Photogenic", "Best Smile" and "Best Personality" categories.

There were 14 contestants this year.  That was less than Marley had hoped for, but a strong start for a first year pageant, she said.

The other age group winners were:

• Junior Miss: Catherine Mae Lilly, Shelby, NC
• Little Miss: Leah Hampton, Boone, NC
• Toddler (Mr.): Roger Anthony O'Neill III, Hickory, NC
• Miniature Miss: Sevyn Emma Rose Harrold, Millers Creek, NC
• Toddler Miss: Milyn Grace Walden, Connelly Springs, NC
• Baby Miss: Brenna Raye Keister, Hudson, NC

Marley was assisted in the crowning ceremony by the reigning Little Miss North Carolina, Allison Stafford (Spruce Pine), Junior Miss North Carolina, Katelyn Heaton (Trinity, NC), and Little Miss North Carolina Miniature Majestic, Ciera Davidson (Catawba, NC)

Judges for the event included the reigning Mrs. North Carolina, Debbie Miller, of Mooresville; John Roten of WATA radio, Boone; and Sherrie Hodges, a retired attorney from Ashe County, who is a veteran of pageants.  Michelle Ponder, of Asheville, served as auditor.

Sponsors for the event included United Community Bank (Blowing Rock), Bolick Pottery, Kilwin's, Mountainaire Inn, Rustic, and Belk Department Store (Mr. Jeff Carter, Manager of Boone store).

"There are so many people to thank," Marley acknowledged to Blowing Rock News, "and it begins with Gary Smith and Ensemble Stage, who helped us with production aspects, including sound. But the list of thank-yous continues with Paul Puckett, Paul Berry, Ann Marie, and Tammie Jolly (Rustic), and then of course the indispensable Billie Rogers and Melissa Pickett of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce."

The Little Miss & Master Winterfest Pageant is an official preliminary event that leads to the 2012 North Carolina State Pageant, July 12-15, 2012, at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. Additional information may be obtained by calling Carolyn Marley at 828-295-3880, by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visiting the organization's website, www.littlemissnorthcarolina.com.

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