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Crown Controversy Continues With Two Miss North Carolinas

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Earlier this month, a judge reinstated Rebekah Revels' contract as Miss North Carolina. The attorney for the Miss North Carolina Pageant Organization said it will honor the court ruling, but stressed the ruling was a preliminary decision, not a final one.

Misty Clymer made it to the top 15 in the Miss America pageant this weekend. When she did not win the Miss America title, it left the state with two Miss North Carolinas; Clymer by contract and Rebekah Revels by court order.

The women shared their opinions about a shared title before leaving Atlantic City.

"I think we both rightly deserve to be a representative for North Carolina for the remainder of the year," Clymer said.

"I think a lot of people are wondering the same thing, and I actually don't know," Revels said.

A member of the state pageant's executive committee said there are enough bookings for both women to represent the state; however, that would mean sharing the salary, which can range anywhere from $30,000 and $50,000, depending on how many appearances Miss North Carolina makes.

"If it's someone who wants her to speak about Alzheimer's it would be Rebekah. If it's a school that wants to learn about CPR, it would be me," said Clymer.

It may be awkward if two Miss North Carolinas crowned a new queen at next year's pageant. Revels would ultimately like to have the title to herself, but is waiting on word from the North Carolina Pageant Association Board.

"I certainly hope there will be one and it's me," Revels said. "I am Miss North Carolina and we'll just have to play that out when the day comes."

No one from the North Carolina Pageant Organization would comment.

Pageant attorney Jim Pendergrass said he will file a response to the judge's decision to reinstate Revels.

The Miss America Organization owns the Miss North Carolina name. Clymer's attorney said it is possible that Miss America officials could try and prevent Revels from using the title.

No one from Miss America could be reached to see if it is pursuing that.

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