NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
LEARN • GROW • CONNECT • SERVE • LEAD
For 80 Festivals, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has celebrated community,
tradition, and civic involvement. The Festival’s Scholarship Princess tradition began in 1949, and for the 80th Festival, that tradition continues through an expanded experience focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
More than $18,000 in scholarship opportunities across the Princess Court, and
additional awards are distributed annually.
Open to high school juniors.
Scholarship • Leadership • Civic Engagement • Community Pride
The NCAF Scholarship Pageant combines Festival education, leadership development, civic engagement, public speaking, professional development, relationship building, and scholarship opportunities to help young women develop skills that can support their educational, professional, and personal goals.
FIVE PETALS. ONE PURPOSE.
LEARN | Know the Story
Discover the history, mission, traditions, people, and community impact of the North
Carolina Azalea Festival—and learn how to confidently share its story.
GROW | Find Your Voice
Strengthen confidence, public speaking, interviewing, critical thinking, professional
presence, and communication skills.
CONNECT | Build Community
Develop relationships with fellow candidates, Festival leaders, volunteers, community
partners, civic leaders, and professionals while building networking and collaboration
skills.
SERVE | Engage With Purpose
Put civic engagement into action through community involvement and service while
discovering where your interests and talents can make a difference.
LEAD | Bloom With Purpose
Bring the other four petals together through leadership, initiative, accountability,
advocacy, decision-making, and representation.
YOUR CIVIC VOICE
New for the 80th Festival, every Scholarship Pageant Contestant will develop a personal Civic
Engagement Platform centered on an issue or cause that matters to her.
Candidates will identify a community need, consider how their experiences have shaped their perspective, and develop a practical way to use their voice to engage others and make a difference.
The NCAF PRINCESS
At the culmination of the program, one contestant will be named the:
80th North Carolina Azalea Festival Princess
The title represents the beginning of a year of service, not simply winning a
competition. The North Carolina Azalea Festival Princess becomes a year-round youth ambassador for NCAF, representing the Festival through designated Festival, civic, and community opportunities while continuing to Learn, Grow, Connect, Serve, and Lead.
Scholarship Opportunities
Azalea Festival Princess Court: $15,050
The newly crowned Azalea Festival Princess will receive $6,250 in scholarship funds.
1st Runner-Up will be awarded $3,000
2nd Runner-Up will be awarded $2,300
3rd Runner-Up will be awarded $2,000
and 4th Runner-Up will be awarded $1,500
The Dr. Sarah Pless Renaissance Dental STEM Award $2,000
To qualify for this award, the contestant must write an essay stating why they are interested in STEM.
Top Salesperson Award $250
Awarded to the contestant who raises the most money in selling ads for the Pageant Program.
Contestants can place ads in the program from family members, local businesses, and more. There is no limit on the number of ads per contestant.
The People’s Choice Award $250
The People’s Choice Award is decided through an online photo contest, where the contestant who receives the most public votes is deemed the winner. The winner of this contest will be
granted an automatic spot in the Top 10.
The Miss Congeniality Award $250
Voted on by the contestants and recognizes the individual
who demonstrates exceptional friendliness, approachability,
and kindness throughout the competition.
The McKinley Lanier Community Service Award $250
This award is given to the contestant who logs the most
volunteer community service hours throughout the duration
of the Pageant meetings, in honor of the 2022 Azalea Festival Princess, McKinley Lanier.
Who Should Apply
You don’t have to be a “pageant girl.” You just have to be ready to grow.
No previous pageant experience is required, and there is no talent competition. The modern program emphasizes communication, confidence, Festival knowledge, leadership, civic engagement, professional development, and scholarship.
Important Dates
Applications Open: September 14, 2026
Contestant Program Begins: November 8, 2026 and meets each Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 pm until the Pageant
Mandatory Rehearsal: January 8, 2027
Scholarship Pageant: January 9, 2027
80th Festival Week: April 7–11, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous pageant experience?
No. The program is designed to develop the skills candidates use during the pageant and beyond.
Is there a talent competition?
No.
Is this primarily a beauty pageant?
No. The modern NCAF program emphasizes communication, confidence, Festival knowledge, leadership, civic engagement, professional development, and scholarship.
What happens if I am selected as The NCAF Princess?
The NCAF Festival Princess becomes an NCAF youth ambassador and titleholder for the year, representing the Festival through designated Festival, civic, and community opportunities.
Do I receive anything if I’m not selected as Princess?
Yes. The purpose of the Five Petals experience is development. Every contestant receives leadership education, Festival knowledge, public-speaking and interview experience, civic-engagement opportunities, relationships, and professional-development skills. Contestants may also qualify for available scholarships and recognition.
Why has the timing of the program changed?
The new schedule is intentional. It gives contestants more time to learn the Festival before being asked to represent it. The NCAF Princess should begin her year with an understanding of NCAF’s history, mission, traditions, and civic impact.
ARE YOU READY TO BLOOM?