HIGH POINT — Caelynn Miller-Keyes was crowned Miss North Carolina USA and Kaaviya Sambasivam was crowned Miss North Carolina Teen USA on Sept. 30 at the High Point Theatre.
Miller-Keyes is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She is currently employed at Windy Gap, where she mentors young girls.
“My goal as Miss North Carolina USA is to continue improving Title IX policies for sexual assault survivors,” said the new Miss N.C. USA. “I want to empower women to speak up should they be victimized, and to learn the power of forgiveness. I was able to gain my power back and heal after forgiving my attackers.”
Sambasivam is a freshman at the University of Georgia, pursuing a double-major in business and psychology. As an Indian-American, she hopes to become a civil rights attorney. “I am proud to be a representative for diversity in pageantry as Miss North Carolina Teen USA. My goal for this year is to inspire other young ladies to break boundaries, defy stereotypes and blossom into the best versions of themselves,” said the teen titleholder.
Miller-Keyes will represent North Carolina in the nationally televised production of Miss USA, and Sambasivam will represent the state in the Miss Teen USA Pageant.
