CFNN Reporter Addison Wellons

Since 1970, the Miss Cape Fear Pageant has been a standing tradition at Cape Fear High School. 

Last Saturday night on January 10th, that longstanding tradition continued, as the 56th Miss Cape Fear was crowned by Jaycie Bullard, Miss Cape Fear 2025. 

This year’s pageant featured 12 lovely contestants who completed an in-person interview with three judges, a casual wear showcase, and a formal wear competition in Cape Fear’s Auditorium.

From the ladies’ sassy strut in their casual outfits, to their graceful walk in their formal gowns, they made the pageant one to remember! Each contestant participated with elegance, grace and poise, highlighting the quality students that embody the ideal that Colt Pride truly never stops.

After the contestants left the stage, Jaycie Bullard followed with her memorable farewell. Jaycie made a statement during her reign by advocating for EC students at Cape Fear High, improved traffic conditions between Cape Fear and Mac Williams, and providing the first official designated parking spot for every Miss Cape Fear to follow her.

After Miss Cape Fear 2025 formally exited the stage, awards took place. Contestants 1-12 stood together on stage emphasizing their true bond of sisterhood that each young lady had created throughout the week leading up to the pageant.

The awards began with the announcement of the greatest ad seller in the program, Charlize Robinson. Following her achievement, Charlize won most photogenic, along with Miss Congeniality, which was voted on by her fellow contestants. 

“She’s rackin’ em up!” said former Cape Fear Principal Lee Spruill, Saturday night’s emcee.

After the presentation of Miss Congeniality, Nariyah Hair was announced as having the highest scoring interview for the night.

The People’s Choice award was one to be there for. All twelve contestants decorated their own donation box to reflect their personalities. From hot glued seashells to decorative icing resembling a cake, the ladies presented themselves beautifully through their donation boxes. All contestants’ boxes were set in the lobby for audience members to slip money into. Every dollar counted! During awards, Alexis Baker won the People’s Choice award, raising over $1,000!

After these adjudications, it was time to announce the 2nd runner up, 1st runner up, and new Miss Cape Fear.

2nd runner up was presented to Gabriella Mineo, a sophomore at Cape Fear Highschool. 1rst runner up was awarded to Nariyah Hair, also the contestant with the highest scoring interview. Finally, the winner was announced to be Kinley West. She was crowned the new Miss Cape Fear Highschool 2026.

As the crowd erupted, Miss Cape Fear 2025 passed down her reign to Kinley, Miss Cape Fear 2026, by pinning the crown onto her head and placing her sash over her shoulder. Kinley made her first walk across the stage with her crown and sash at the closing of the curtains.

Kinley West exhibited grace, style, and sass as she competed Saturday night for the crown. From her casual leather pants to her blazing red formal gown, her beauty was unmatched.

“Being given this incredible opportunity means so much to me. I can’t wait to represent cape fear with poise and confidence,” said an exuberant West after the competition.

Since she was crowned, Kinley has expressed her concern for the school-wide mental health issues at Cape Fear.

“As Miss Cape Fear, I plan to advocate for additional mental health services for our student body, and break the stigma around mental health because it is truly okay to not be okay! Can’t wait for this year, go Colts!” she said.

Though Kinley has just begun her year as Miss Cape Fear, she is already showing the attributes to make her a great queen. She is kind, loving, persistent, and determined to make this year one to remember, not just for herself, but for the entire student body. Cape Fear is lucky to have a reigning queen like Kinley West.