Robeson County woman crowned Miss North Carolina

Victoria Huggins, Miss Greater Sampson County, took center stage at the Duke Energy Center with a bouquet of flowers and the celebratory crown.

Huggins is a graduate of UNC-Pembroke and a reporter at NBC affiliate station WECT in Wilmington. The St. Pauls native was also crowned Miss Fayetteville back in 2013.

"I feel very overwhelmed and beyond humbled and blessed," said Huggins in an interview. "This is my fifth time competing for Miss North Carolina, and this has just really come full circle in my life. It's all about timing, and I'm thankful to be able to serve as the 80th Miss North Carolina."

The 2017 competition was Huggins' last chance to claim the Miss North Carolina title.

"In the Miss American organization, you can compete from age 17 to 24, so this was my last opportunity," said Huggins. "I wanted to just lay it all on the stage and show my heart to North Carolina and why I should be the one to represent us at Miss America this year."

Huggins, who devotes much of her time to supporting the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the Alzheimer's Association, said she has a "servant's heart" and that she is the daughter of a military man who served for over 39 years in the North Carolina National Guard.

"I am also prepared and ready to serve this state," she said.

Huggins will soon be leaving her role as reporter and producer at her coastal news station, because being Miss North Carolina is a full-time job.

"I'll travel all across the state making appearances and meeting with different people," she said. "I'll be working with the state's three Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, advocating for them, and preparing for Miss America in September. It's going to be full speed ahead, but I'm ready."