2nd Place – Ashley Gorsett, 11th grader at Wilmington Christian Academy in Wilmington, NC, “Azalea Connection”
Ashley rode in the Azalea Festival parade as a young child and that experience left a lasting impression on her. She sees the Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Belles as an iconic part of our community and aspires to be one next year. She plans to attend college after graduation and study in the math and science field. She enjoys watching old movies and learning from her grandfather how to make Brunswick Stew the old-fashioned way in a large iron kettle on an open fire. Fun Fact: William Shakespeare is her 16th cousin twice removed!
3rd Place – Mairead Benson, 10th grader at Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC, “Azalea Charm”
Mairead likes all her subjects in school but particularly enjoys English and World History, which is why she often incorporates personal experience into her writing. She was selected to NC’s Governor’s School this summer in the singing category. In her spare time, she plays golf, goes to the beach, and spends time on the family sail boat. She is active in the Eastern Carolina Episcopal Diocese Youth Council, the Lower Cape Fear Deanery, and her local church – acolyting, lay reading, planning Vacation Bible School, and participating in the EYC.