Queen’s Dance Party

Carli holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Theatre Arts from Appalachian State University where she also served as Co-Capitan of their Dance Team. Carli attributes her debt-free education to the scholarship opportunities provided by the Azalea Festival Scholarship Pageant, Miss North Carolina and Miss America organizations where she had held the titles of Miss Wilmington, Miss Greater Sampson County, Miss Cleveland, and ultimately, Miss North Carolina 2021. As Miss NC, she competed at the 100th Anniversary Miss America Competition where she advocated for the needs of performing arts communities with her social impact initiative, Carolina Cares. With Carolina Cares, and her Blue Bucket Brigade, she raised over $30,000 for community arts programs across North Carolina & beyond! She most recently was honored to be chosen as Queen Azalea 2023, where she represented her hometown of Wilmington & the near 80 year old tradition of the Azalea Festival. Carli is currently living in Wilmington where she is enrolled in the Aveda Institute of Wilmington, and eager to obtain her cosmetology license to assist in the launch of her new business, Essentia with Carli LLC. Carli uses her experience and expertise to help women display their unique essence through hair, makeup, and pageant coaching services. When she’s not working with clients, she is busy teaching ballet, planning her September wedding and spending time with her wonderful fiancé, Jonathan Berry!