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Savannah Kate Stevens, a rising seventh grader at Harrells Christian Academy, was recently crowned 2024-25 Junior Miss Princess of North Carolina at the PONC State Scholarship Pageant held at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center.
The 12-year-old beauty queen from Wallace, not only shined with her interviewing skills winning best interview in her category, but she also won Best in Festival Wear in her category, and first place overall representing the Warsaw Veterans Day Parade with her festival attire.
Henry L. Stevens, Savannah’s dad, told Duplin Journal that Savannah chose the Warsaw Veterans Day Parade because it is very close to her heart as it was founded by her great-grandfather when he returned home to Warsaw after World War I.
Savannah’s festival attire was crafted from Battle Dress Uniforms worn by Stevens during his 30 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and also during his time of service in the National Guard.
Stevens shared that the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps patches adorning Savannah’s backpack honor units he served with during Desert Storm and the Iraq War, also units her grandfather served with in World War II and Korea, and units her great-grandfather served with during World War I. He added that the streamers hanging from her flag represent each of those campaigns and the Vietnam War. Stevens added that Savannah wore his American Legion Post 127 hat as a recognition that Warsaw Veterans Celebration was created by American Legion Post 127, Warsaw’s former local American Legion Post, more than 100 years ago.
“Melissa and I are proud of the way Savannah chose to represent Warsaw and Duplin County, and to honor the military service of her family and all veterans,” said Stevens.
Savannah is one of three young ladies from Harrells Christian Academy, who took home a beauty pageant state title. She competed in the state scholarship pageant along with Caroline Owens, who won the 2024-25 Overall Supreme Princess of North Carolina.
Isla Blanton, who served as Little Miss Princess of North Carolina last year, is the third young lady from Harrells, who in less than a month, won a state beauty title. Last weekend Isla was crowned Junior Miss North Carolina Poultry Jubilee in Rose Hill.
Savannah and Caroline will serve on the State Court of Princesses over the next year raising awareness and support for Victory Junction, a non-profit organization that seeks to enrich the lives of children with serious illnesses.
“[Savannah] is super excited to serve on the State Court of Princess of North Carolina with her friend Caroline Owens who is a rising eighth grader at Harrells,” said Stevens. “Savannah was inspired by her good friend Isla Blanton, also of Wallace, who served over the last year as the 2023-24 Little Miss Princess of North Carolina! Isla is the daughter of Dr. Dwayne and Mrs. Harley Blanton of Wallace.”
Reflecting on her experience Savannah wrote, “I am filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the incredible experience and honor I had simply to be a part of it. … It is my hope that all who hear my words will join me in this worthy and heartwarming endeavor, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of these incredible children.”
