2026 Miss NC 4th of July Scholarship Pageant

IMPORTANT DATES

• Application Deadline: May 16, 2026
• Mandatory Deadline Meeting: Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM BEMC – 795 Ocean Hwy W, Supply, NC 28462
• Mandatory Rehearsal: Friday, June 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM CMC Building, Southport Baptist Church, 200 N Howe Street, Southport NC 28461
• Pageant Date & Time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM CMC Building, Southport Baptist Church, 200 N Howe Street, Southport NC 28461

All winners must remain after the pageant for mandatory photos.

 
AGE DIVISIONS

• Tiny Miss: 4–6
• Little Miss: 7–9
• Junior Miss: 10–12
• Teen Miss: 13–15
• Miss: 16–18

If there is sufficient interest, a Ms. (21+) division may be added at a later date.

 
COMPETITION CATEGORIES

1. Tiny Miss (4–6) 
   1. Patriotic Wear
   2. Sunday Wear
2. Little Miss (7–9)
   1. Patriotic Wear
   2. Sunday Wear
3. Junior Miss (10–12)
   1. Patriotic Wear
   2. Evening Wear
   3. On-Stage Question
4. Teen Miss (13–15)
   1. Evening Wear
   2. On-Stage Question
   3. Private Interview (5–8 minutes)
5. Miss (16–18)
   1. Evening Wear
   2. On-Stage Question
   3. Private Interview (5–8 minutes)

INTERVIEW (Teen & Miss ONLY)
Teen and Miss contestants will participate in a 5–8 minute private interview. Contestants should be able to articulate thoughtful answers, engage comfortably with interviewers, and demonstrate maturity, confidence, and personality. 

 
ON-STAGE QUESTION
Junior Miss, Teen & Miss:
Contestants may answer a 4th of July–themed question OR introduce themselves on stage, stating:

• Name
• Contestant number
• A brief patriotic statement, quote, or explanation of why the 4th of July is meaningful to them

WARDROBE & NATURAL PAGEANT GUIDELINES
The Miss NC 4th of July Pageant is a natural pageant. We believe children should look like children and young ladies should present themselves in an age-appropriate, polished manner.

General Rules (All Divisions)
NO pro-am modeling or routines
NO removable clothing
NO midriff exposure
NO low-cut cleavage
NO necklaces or bracelets in competition
Modeling should be natural and age-appropriate
 
Tiny Miss (4–6)
Easter or flower-girl style dress
Short or tea-length ONLY (no gowns)
Light embellishments allowed (pearls, sequins, beads)
NO full-out pageant dresses
NO makeup
NO hairpieces, flippers, fake nails
Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling
 
Little Miss (7–9)
Short, high-low, or tea-length dress
Age-appropriate embellishments allowed
Any corresponding shoes allowed
NO makeup
NO flippers, fake nails, hairpieces
Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling
 
Junior, Teen & Miss
Long formal, prom, or high-low gown
Makeup must be age-appropriate
NO midriff, crop tops, or cleavage
ABSOLUTELY NO FLIPPERS (2-point deduction per judge)
Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling
 
PATRIOTIC WEAR (Required for Tiny, Little & Junior Miss)

4th of July themed outfit
Custom or off-the-rack
Dresses or pantsuits allowed
Glitz optional
No bare midsections
Judged on how the outfit complements the contestant
 

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COMPETITIONS

Photogenic

• Entry Fee: $10
• 8x10 natural photo (color or B&W)
• NO glamour or enhanced photos
• Label back with contestant name & division
• Judged on personality, clarity, and appearance

Good Luck / Lucky Signatures

• Fundraising category
• Suggested donation: $1–$10
• Signature sheets submitted electronically the day before the pageant rehearsal
• Money collected by pageant staff on pageant rehearsal day
• Contestant raising $200+ becomes Miss NC 4th of July Sweetheart

TITLES & AWARDS
Age Division Queens (combined score)
Crown, sash, and trophy/plaque
Photogenic Award (medal or trophy)
Sweetheart Award (Lucky Signatures)
Miss division winner receives scholarship at the conclusion of a successful reign.

 
ENTRY FEES
Age Division Entry: $100 (required)
Photogenic: $10 (optional)
Lucky Signatures: Based on donations collected
All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE unless the pageant is cancelled.

By submitting an application and participating in the 2026 Miss NC 4th of July Scholarship Pageant, all contestants, parents, guardians, and guests agree to comply with the following rules and policies. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in point deductions, disqualification, dismissal from the event, forfeiture of awards, and/or denial of entry to future events.

General Conduct & Sportsmanship

1. Mistreatment of children will NOT be tolerated, including by parents, grandparents, or guardians. Any form of verbal or physical mistreatment will result in immediate removal from the event without refund. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Unsportsmanlike behavior of any kind—including yelling, inappropriate language, shoving, throwing objects, or disruptive conduct—will result in immediate disqualification and removal without refund or awards.
3. Bashing, gossip, or negative commentary, including on social media, will not be tolerated. If such content is posted, you will be asked to remove it immediately and may be barred from future Miss NC 4th of July Pageant/Festival events until removed. Reigning titleholders may be required to forfeit their title and awards with no refund.
4. Contestants, parents, and guests are expected to demonstrate positive sportsmanship at all times toward fellow contestants, families, staff, volunteers, and judges.

Fees & Payments

1. Pageant fees may be paid by cash, check, or money order prior to the deadline. A $35 fee will be assessed for any returned check.
2. All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Entry fees may not be transferred or credited if a contestant cannot attend. Fees will only be refunded if the pageant is cancelled by the Miss NC 4th of July Pageant/Festival.

Judging & Scoring

1. Judges’ decisions are final. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Contestants, parents, and family members may NOT approach judges at any time during or after the pageant regarding scores, comments, or placements. Requesting judges’ contact information is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification and/or denial of future entry.
3. Score sheets will be available for pickup on pageant day only, immediately following crowning, in the dressing room. Score sheets will not be mailed, emailed, saved, posted online, or discussed after the event. Score sheets will only be released to the contestant or the contestant’s parent/guardian.
4. Requests for information regarding other contestants, including number of contestants in a division, will not be honored.

Schedule & Participation

1. All contestants must be on time and ready to compete as scheduled. Judges will deduct points for late arrivals to on-stage competition.
2. All winners are required to participate in group and individual photos immediately following the crowning ceremony.

Dressing Room & Personal Belongings

1. Dressing rooms will be provided; however, contestants and families are responsible for keeping their area clean and organized.
2. NO MEN OR BOYS are permitted in the dressing room at any time, for any reason. NO EXCEPTIONS.
3. The Miss NC 4th of July Pageant, its Director, committee, staff, and venue are NOT responsible for lost, stolen, or missing items. This includes (but is not limited to): clothing, shoes, cell phones, hair tools, cameras, awards, or personal belongings. Items will not be held or mailed.

Modeling, Appearance & Grooming

1. Natural modeling ONLY is permitted. NO pro-am modeling. Pro-am modeling includes (but is not limited to): routines, exaggerated facial expressions, heavy arm movements, pointing at judges, removable clothing, or overly rehearsed choreography. A 2-point deduction per judge per competition will be assessed for pro-am modeling.
2. Children ages 4–6 may wave or blow kisses to family members as a natural response. Modeling must remain age appropriate. Have fun and show personality.
   Makeup is NOT permitted for Tiny and Little Miss divisions. Makeup for Junior Miss and above must be age appropriate.
3. ABSOLUTELY NO FLIPPERS are allowed. A 2-point deduction per judge per competition will be applied if flippers are used. An immediate inspection will be conducted by the Director or Judges’ Hostess upon discovery.
4. Missing teeth, braces, bruises, or minor scrapes will NOT result in deductions. Children are allowed to be children.

Photography & Media

1. Video cameras are permitted in the auditorium.

Entry & Participation Rights

1. The NC 4th of July Pageant Committee and Director reserve the right to deny entry to any contestant at their discretion.
2. Members of the NC 4th of July Board and their immediate families may not participate.
3. NC 4th of July Pageant Committee members and their immediate families may not participate.  
4. All other NC 4th of July Committee members, volunteers, and their immediate families may participate. 
5. This is a CLOSED pageant and is limited to Brunswick County residents only. Residency requirements will be enforced.

Our Philosophy

1. The Miss NC 4th of July Pageant believes pageants should be a positive, uplifting experience where children and families spend quality time together, build confidence, encourage one another, and create lifelong memories.
2. Pageantry should never be solely about winning, but about personal growth, self-confidence, and celebrating each contestant’s unique personality. If this philosophy does not align with your values, this may not be the right pageant for your family.

Otherwise — come join the fun!