Pictured center is Miss North Carolina 2015 Kate Peacock, surrounded by her court.

Peacock

When Kate Peacock heard her named called Saturday night, a life-long dream came true as she was crowned Miss North Carolina 2015.

Peacock, who was competing against 78 other contestants as Miss Dunn, will now be spending her days preparing for the Miss America pageant in September and traveling across the state serving as an advocate for the state.

“I was in a total state of shock,” Peacock said during a telephone interview about the announcement Saturday night. “I didn’t go into last week expecting to place in the top five.”

During an interview before leaving for Miss NC, Peacock said she was more than prepared for the week-long competition, not having left any stone unturned when getting ready for the competition.

“Even though I was prepared, nothing could have prepared me for winning,” Peacock stated.

Immediately following her win Saturday night, Peacock has hit the ground running, traveling across the state, while preparing for her entry in the Miss America pageant.

“The job doesn’t stop because I am preparing for another pageant,” Peacock said about representing her state while preparing for September’s event. “I wanted to represent our state and I am thankful I get to do that.”

Peacock also won the Hailey Best Overall Talent award for her tap dance to “Swing the Mood” and for her win, will receive a $12,500 scholarship. Miss North Carolina 2015 is a rising junior at Meredith College, studying elementary education and psychology. After graduating, Peacock says she would like to teach third grade and pursue her master’s degree and become a superintendent.

The daughter of Gary and Penny Peacock, she is a graduate of Midway High School. In 2012, she said she competed for Miss NC Outstanding Teen and placed 2nd runner up.

For her platform, Peacock has worked to raise awareness of pediatric eye disease and the Duke Pediatric Eye Center. As a patient herself, suffering from a pediatric eye disease, Peacock established Peeper Keepers with the hopes of helping children with their self esteem when dealing with eye diseases and disorders.

Miss North Carolina 2015 is a sophomore at Meredith College and the recipient of a $12,500 scholarship. She performed a tap dance to “Swing the Mood” and also was awarded the Hailey Best Overall Talent Award.

During Saturday’s competition, Miss Metrolina Cheslie Kryst was 1st runner up and was awarded a $3,500 scholarship and Miss Southeastern Victoria Huggins placed 2nd runner up and was also named Dana Reason Quality of Life Winner and Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Miracle Maker.

Representing Sampson County, Miss Greater Sampson County Emily Tucker and Miss Spivey’s Corner Rahmeka Cox also placed in the top 10. Rachel Chavez, Miss Garner, who is a graduate of Clinton High School, was awarded a non-finalist talent award.

Miss Spivey’s Corner McKenzie Hansley was crowned Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2015 earlier in the evening. She is a senior at Topsail High School and will represent our state at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in July.