Belk College of Business senior Chloe Clary will soon compete in the 2022 Miss North Carolina pageant for a chance to represent the state at the 2022 Miss America pageant.
Clary, a Shelby native majoring in management and minoring in American studies, has competed in pageants since age 10. Her fifth grade teacher, Katy Locklear, Miss Metrolina 2012, inspired Clary to get involved in the Miss America organization.
“She taught me about the organization's value and the scholarship opportunities which made me want to pursue that path when I became eligible,” said Clary, who was also a member of the Belk College Business Learning Community. Contestants are eligible from age 17 to 26, according to the Miss America website.
Clary was named Miss Asheville in 2021, and was awarded a $1,650 scholarship and advanced to the Miss North Carolina competitions.
Contestants in Miss America pageants are charged to make an impact through a social cause. Clary’s initiative, Love Shouldn’t Hurt, raises awareness of domestic violence. Through Love Shouldn’t Hurt, Clary works to spread information about warning signs of abusive relationships, as well as signs of healthy relationships. 
“This cause is very dear to my heart for many reasons,” she continued, “the biggest one is that young women my age experience domestic violence at higher rates than other age groups. I want people to know they aren’t alone in what they are experiencing and know where they can look to find help.”
Lifelong Preparation
Preparing for and competing in the Miss Asheville pageant required Clary to write an essay on her initiative, prepare a resume, practice public speaking, and perform a talent routine. A dancer for 17 years, Clary has dedicated many hours to physically prepare for her performance.
Clary finds the public speaking portions of pageants to be some of the most rigorous. She practices by staying informed on current issues and events and participating in mock interviews.
“In many ways, I’ve been preparing for this my entire life. It takes a lot of self motivation to make the time each day to ensure I am as prepared as possible,” she said. “There is a lot of mental preparation that goes into it. Being able to be confident in myself and all that I have to offer will allow me to come home from Miss North Carolina feeling a sense of accomplishment and joy, regardless of the outcome.”
Clary finds inspiration in Miss America’s mission statement: “To prepare great women for the world, and to prepare the world for great women.”
“To me that means laying the foundation for women to be successful academically by allowing them to further their education without the burden of its cost. My personal value of education is what drives me to compete so that I may be able to earn these scholarships to help reach my goal of graduating debt-free,” she said.
The Miss North Carolina pageant will be held June 23-25 in High Point. The pageant is an official preliminary for the Miss America pageant.
Clary anticipates graduating from UNC Charlotte in May 2023. Following graduation, she plans to begin her professional career in business administration. She also hopes to return to the classroom to earn a master’s degree.