By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
AYDEN — Beaufort County’s two contestants in Saturday evening’s Miss Eastern Carolina Scholarship Pageant weren’t among the three finalists, but they didn’t go home empty handed.
Leslie LaVictoire, a graduate of Washington High School, and Gabrielle “Gabby” Brown, a graduate of Terra Ceia Christian School, were among the 10 contestants vying for the crown and a spot in this year’s Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant. The winner of the state pageant will compete in the Miss America Pageant in January 2011.
LaVictoire, the 21-year-old daughter of Dr. Robert LaVictoire and Catherine Good of Washington, received the People’s Choice Award during Saturday’s pageant, held at the Ayden Parks &Recreation Center. The award recipient was chosen by audience members.
During the pageant, LaVictoire performed a lyrical dance to “At Last” during the talent competition. Brown sang “True Colors” during that portion of the event, and all contestants appeared on stage in swimsuits and evening gowns.
Brown, the 21-year-old daughter of Billy and Lisa Brown of Pinetown, was presented the Wesley Ray Cannon Memorial Scholarship, an award recognizing the contestant who had the most positive attitude during preparations for the pageant.
LaVictoire and Brown, both of whom attend East Carolina University, indicated they are interested in competing in other local pageants in the Miss America system.
Meanwhile, the title of Miss Eastern Carolina 2010 went to Gillian Farroll. First runner-up and talent awards were presented to Casey Sutton, and Chelsea Guild was named second runner-up. The Janice Landmark Spirit of America Award was given to Emily Huneycutt.
Also competing for the Miss Eastern Carolina crown were Whitney McFarland, Lindsey Gray Richardson, Maggie Lee Nelms and Marissa Phillips.
In other competitions held on the Ayden stage that evening, a talent award and the title Eastern Carolina’s Outstanding Teen went to Martina Marler. The Janice Landmark Spirit of America Award was presented to Alison Ennett. Amery Dean Capps was named Goldsboro’s Outstanding Teen.
Other Outstanding Teen contestants were Kimberly Paige Bostick, Sarah Wyse and Nicole Kippes.
The Miss Eastern Carolina/Eastern Carolina Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant is among nearly three dozen such events taking place across North Carolina. The winners will compete again in Raleigh for the state titles in late June.
For information about participating in next year’s Miss Eastern Carolina and Eastern Carolina Outstanding Teen competitions, contact executive director Crystal Newby at director@easterncarolinapageants.com.