Emma Steele, a junior from New Hanover High School, was crowned the 2026 North Carolina Azalea Festival Princess during the 78th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, March 14th. The event was held at Kenan Auditorium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Emma is the daughter of Joe and Parn Steele. She and her court were selected from among 18 contestants representing 7 area high schools. The court members include the following: 1 st Runner-Up from E.A. Laney High School, Nina Golart, 2 nd Runner-Up, from Harrells Christian
Academy, Ella Lynch, 3 rd Runner-Up, from John T. Hoggard High School, Cailyn Freeman, and 4 th Runner-Up, from New Hanover High School, Jacqueline Crawford.

At Hanover, Emma attends the Lyceum Academy. She is the President of the Garden Club and actively involved in Game Changerz, an athletic and community-based organization. In her free time, she enjoys baking, singing, crafting, and spending quality time with her family and friends. After graduation, she would like to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she intends to study political science on a pre-law track, with the goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney.

This year, Junior girls from area high schools competed for the title based on a private interview with judges, evening gown competition and on-stage presentation. The Princess is the recipient of the Beverly Anne Jurgensen Scholarship Award, named after the beloved Past President of the NC Azalea Festival.