New Scholarship Pageant To Honor Ava Gardner’s Legacy

Downtown Smithfield Launches Scholarship Pageant For Johnston County Students

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Applications are now open for a new scholarship pageant in Downtown Smithfield inspired by Johnston County native and Hollywood actress Ava Gardner.

“The Essence of Ava” Downtown Smithfield Scholarship Spotlight Pageant is open to all high school-aged female students who live in Johnston County.

The competition is designed to emphasize individuality, confidence, public speaking and personal goals rather than traditional pageant expectations.

Organizers said the event draws inspiration from Gardner, who was born in Johnston County and maintained strong ties to her hometown roots throughout her life.

In her autobiography, Ava: My Story, Gardner wrote, “If I could ever be born again, an education is what I’d want. My life would have been so different if I’d had one.”

Organizers said the scholarship program will use that message to encourage young women to invest in their education and develop confidence in who they are.

Five Areas Of Competition

Participants will compete in five categories.

A video personal essay will allow contestants to tell their stories and share their perspectives in their own words.

The “Sense of Self” runway will not require traditional formal wear. Participants may wear something that represents who they are, ranging from an athletic uniform or family heirloom to jeans and a T-shirt or a traditional ballgown.

Contestants will also participate in an onstage interview designed to highlight public speaking and critical-thinking skills.

A talent presentation will give each participant an opportunity to showcase a personal talent.

The final category will be a panel interview conducted in a professional interview-style setting.

Scholarships To Be Awarded

The overall winner will receive the title of Miss Downtown Smithfield and a $1,000 “Essence of Ava” scholarship.

Two additional scholarships, The Essence of Johnston County and The Essence of Self, will also be awarded.

“We are so excited for this opportunity for our Johnston County young ladies,” said Helen Caloz, Events and Marketing Manager for Downtown Smithfield. “Ava’s story has so much relevance to the world they live in today—social media has many pressures to conform, just like Hollywood, and knowing that we are sending future leaders into the world grounded in who they are is a wonderful thing.”

Important Dates

An information session will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Ava Gardner Museum for prospective participants who have questions about the competition.

Those who apply by Sept. 30 will receive one complimentary ticket to the Ava Gardner Festival Gala scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2.

The final application deadline is Oct. 5, and participation will be limited to a maximum of 20 contestants.

Mandatory pre-competition meetings are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 23.

The pageant will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Neuse Little Theatre in Smithfield.

Rehearsals and panel interviews will begin at 9 a.m., with the public showcase scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

How To Apply

Applications are available online at downtownsmithfield.com.

There is a $50 application fee, but organizers said financial assistance and fee-waiver scholarships are available so cost will not prevent interested students from participating.