WRAL's Mikaya Thurmond starting scholarship to help women become journalists

WRAL anchor Mikaya Thurmond has started a scholarship in her name to help pave the way for other young women.

Earlier this week, Thurmond became the benefactor of the Mikaya Thurmond Scholarship that will be available to contestants in this year’s Miss North Carolina competition.

"I'm thrilled that I can use my blessings to help the next generation," said Thurmond after starting the scholarship in partnership with The Miss North Carolina Scholarship Organization. Thurmond said she began competing in pageants at 15 and it's become an integral part of her life.

"It truly shaped the woman I am today," she said. "I held the title of Miss Georgia 2009 and became the International titleholder for the Miss International Organization in 2010. During my reign, I discovered my passion for public speaking, community involvement and journalism."

Thurmond said she has donated $1,000 to help a young woman pay for her college education.

The Miss North Carolina pageant is the preliminary competition for the Miss America competition, which is the largest scholarship provider for women in the world.

In addition to a being a veteran journalist, Thurmond holds journalism degrees from the University of Georgia and Harvard University.

"It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to reach back and support the next generation of contestants who have dreams of becoming journalists," she said.

Thurmond has been with WRAL since 2015 and hosted the WRAL Voters' Choice Awards several times.