ORLANDO — For the first time, Miss North Carolina’s Teen has captured the crown of Miss America’s Teen. On Saturday night, North Carolina native Hanley House was named Miss America’s Teen at the national competition in Orlando.
Born in Raleigh, House is a student at Cleveland High School in Johnston County. She is a competitive dancer and has garnered national dance awards and studied ballet at the Alonzo King Lines Ballet in San Francisco and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, according to a release from the Miss North Carolina organization.
Prior to her victory on Saturday, House had already taken home two preliminary awards in Orlando — for evening gown and physical fitness — and earned $6,000 in scholarships.
Miss America’s Teen is a division of the Miss America program for young women ages 13-18. Since its founding in 2005, Miss America’s Teen has paid over $1.3 million in cash scholarships to 200 colleges and universities. The teen organization also has in-kind relationships with the University of Alabama, Dakota State University, Hollins University, Rowan University, Troy University and the University of West Virginia.
Miss Ohio’s Teen, Paisley French, was first runner-up.
House will now serve for the next year as Miss America’s Teen. Colleen McDermott, from Johnston County, was first runner-up at the Miss North Carolina’s Teen competition and will be in line to assume the state title following House’s win in Orlando.
The Miss America competition concludes Sunday night with the crowning of Miss America. Miss North Carolina, Taylor Loyd, took home a coveted preliminary talent award earlier in the week.
