By Bonitta Best
editor@triangletribune.com
Miss North Carolina 2024 Carrie Everett died Monday morning from stomach cancer.
Everett, 22, a North Carolina Central graduate, was the first HBCU student to win Miss North Carolina. The Seattle, Washington, native was just a sophomore when she won the crown.
Everett was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive gastric cancer called metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma last July while visiting family in Seattle.
“This is happening for a reason, and God has allowed me to use my voice to give a voice to others,” Everett said about the diagnosis.
Everett also was crowned Miss Johnston County before the Miss North Carolina pageant. She represented the state in the Miss America pageant.
Everett was the fourth Black woman to win the title since the pageant began in 1937, following Deneen Graham (1983); Alexandra Badgett (2019-2020); and Karolyn Martin (2022).
“When I registered to compete this year, I only had $40 in my pocket,” Everett said. “That is the reality of many young women in this country. I believe in the Miss America Opportunity, what it has done and what it continues to do for young women like me. With this title, I am empowered and ready to facilitate a new culture of equity within this brand.”
North Carolina Central issued a statement on Monday.
“A native of Seattle, Washington, Carrie will be remembered as a trailblazer who shared her inspirational talent and leadership with so many. …Her platform, ‘We Need Equity to Build Communities,’ sought to make pageants more accessible to young people. Her work to recruit young women who may not consider pageants due to the expensive entry fees and wardrobes was commendable. Carrie selected NCCU because of the university’s music program, she enjoyed singing gospel music, and regularly graced NCCU occasions with her beautiful singing voice. Her ambition, grace, tenacity and talent will be deeply missed.”
