RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The newly selected Miss North Carolina USA will compete in the Miss USA competition in August.
Kenzie Hansley, from Hampstead, is still getting used to her new role.
“It was mind-blowing, honestly. I'd been dreaming about this for years and working towards it,” Hunsley said.
Hunsley said her dream came true when she started competing in competitions at age 10, and since then she has remained passionate about mentoring young women, despite recent difficult times.
“It was just over two years ago that I was the victim and survivor of sexual assault,” she said.
She said she turned a negative situation into a positive by starting her own movement, Women On Fire, which offers self-defence classes that teach prevention and survival techniques, and has helped her regain her confidence.
“It's been a lot of hard work and dedication to earn this title. I had a few costume problems during the qualifying rounds but I'm grateful to have won,” said Hansley.
Despite her disability, Hunsley said she hopes to continue mentoring young women throughout her life.
“I'm happy to have the opportunity to mentor so many young girls,” Hunsley said.
Hunsley is also a former Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2017 and will compete at Miss USA in August.
