Rising Stars: Meet Kamryn Hollowell of Clayton, NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamryn Hollowell.

Hi Kamryn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started in the Miss America Opportunity almost a decade ago at the age of eight years old. Through the Carolina Star mentorship program through the Miss North Carolina Organization, I had the privilege of following alongside five young women and their journeys to Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen. Seeing the positive impact and change they had on their communities immediately influenced me from a young age, and I knew I wanted to be just like them. At 13 years old, I started competing in this program as a Teen contestant. After losing at FIVE local competitions I finally won my first title of Miss Metrolilna’s Teen 2022. That summer, I competed at Miss North Carolina’s Teen, walking away with a non-finalist talent award. The next summer, I returned to the Miss North Carolina’s Teen stage as Miss Zebulon’s Teen 2023. The next fall, after placing first runner up at another local competition, I competed and captured the title of Miss Statesville’s Teen 2024. After seven months of hard work and dedication, I walked away with a Preliminary Evening Gown award, the Community Service Impact award, and the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2024. I hope throughout the course of my reign I have been able to be the role model I saw growing up and influence the next generation to keep dreaming and persevering because they can accomplish their dreams if they set their mind to it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not every path is always smooth. Many things I have struggled with in this season of life have included learning to deal with judgment. When you are placed in a position like mine, many feel they can share their opinions and want to know all you are doing, failing to realize that although we are ‘pageant queens,’ we are also real people. I have also had to learn to balance all of my activities as well. On top of being Miss North Carolina’s Teen, I am also a Junior in high school, dual-enrolled in community college, a member of various school-related clubs, and a competitive dancer. Balancing all of these tasks has most definitely had its challenges but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As Miss North Carolina’s Teen, we each have our individual Community Service Initiatives, or CSIs. My CSI is called Project Purple: Advocating for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Through my eight years volunteering with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, I have reached a nationwide partnership with the CCFA and my personal CSI, Project Purple. I have also raised over $5,500 for funding to find a treatment and cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I remember sitting in the balcony of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium back in June of 2016 and as I watched Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen be crowned, I immediately knew I wanted to be like them. At that age for me it was wearing the pretty gowns and crown, but as I got older, it transformed into wanting to be an influential role model on the next generation, much like they were for me. That moment inspired me to be where I am now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://missnc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missamericasteennc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissAmericasTeenNC/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissAmericasTeenNC/featured
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/kamryn.hollowell/