On Nov. 12, the Miss Rowan Scholarship Organization crowned Mary Scott Norris, Miss Rowan County 2017 and Taylor Loyd, Miss Rowan County’s Outstanding Teen 2017. Norris is the daughter of Tim and Leigh Ann Norris of Salisbury. She is a senior at Catawba College where she majors in integrated marketing and communications. As Miss Rowan County 2017, Norris is the recipient of a $1000 cash scholarship, a $1000 in-kind scholarship from Pfeiffer University, and various other prizes and awards. Mary Scott was also the recipient of the Miss Rowan County Talent award for her tap dance performance.

Taylor Loyd is the daughter of Ashton and Cinamon Loyd of Mooresville. She is also the great-niece of Wayne and Sammie Hinshaw of Salisbury. She is a sophomore at Woodlawn School. As Miss Rowan County’s Outstanding Teen, Loyd is the recipient of a $1000 in-kind scholarship from Pfeiffer University, entry fees paid to Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen, and various other prizes and awards. Loyd was also the recipient of the Miss Rowan County People’s Choice Award, Miss Rowan County’s Outstanding Teen Fitness Award, and Miss Rowan County’s Outstanding Teen Talent Award for her operatic vocal performance.

Both Norris and Loyd are now preparing to compete on the state level for the titles of Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen, June 19-24 in Raleigh. The winner of Miss North Carolina will move on to compete at the 97th Miss America Pageant at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen will compete for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Fla.

The Miss Rowan County Scholarship Organization is excited to have these beautiful and talented young ladies representing Rowan County this year. They plan to spend their year serving the community, promoting their personal platforms, and raising funds for the Miss America sponsored platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, contact missrowancounty@gmail.com