Katherine Puryear of Trinity made North Carolina proud. She earned third runner-up in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.

Awards were presented Saturday, Aug. 15, in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Puryear is new to the pageant scene and claimed the top spot in the North Carolina Outstanding Teen Pageant in her first attempt.

“My name was the last name called for the top five,” Puryear said. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it. When they called out my name it was a big relief.

“I was very pleased that I could make it that far.”

Puryear competed in interview, sportswear, talent and evening wear. For her talent she performed an acrobatic jazz routine to “Jellicle Cats” from the musical “Cats.” She is a student of Paige Wainwright of N2DANZN in Thomasville.

“Everyone was so tense as we were waiting for the top ten to be announced,” said Patsy Wainright. “The names are not announced in any particular order. That was an exciting moment when we had to wait as they called out all the finalists with only one spot left and Katherine’s name was announced.”

Wainright was there with 30 friends and family members who traveled to Orlando to support Puryear.

Also among the supporters was Barbara Ewings, Puryear’s grandmother.

“We have scarcely had time to appreciate her success at each phase of competition before she had to prepare for another event,” Ewings said. “This young lady has come so far and done so much in such a short time.

“It’s all been worthwhile, and we couldn’t be prouder.”

Puryear won the title of Teen Miss Trinity May 2008, her first pageant. She went on to gain the title in Thomasville’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in November 2008. This qualified her to compete in the state pageant in June, where she received the Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen crown.

“This is the highest placement of the representative from North Carolina since the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Competition started five years ago,” said Patsy Wainright, who covered the Aug. 15 pageant for the Archdale-Trinity News.

Although she was nervous at first, Puryear said the pageant experience was overall a lot of fun.

“One of my fondest memories was the time after practice and competition,” said Puryear. “It was the best just being able to hang out with some of the girls and talk about things back home.”

For Puryear, the pageant is about more than titles. She will speak out for her platform, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Katherine is currently working on her appearance schedule. She hopes to make appearances at the Little Miss Trinity pageant, the Bush Hill Heritage Festival, Thomasville’s Everybody’s Day and both the Thomasville and Archdale Christmas parades. She will continue to make appearances throughout the state as North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen.

Jeanette Morelan, 14, of Wisconsin, won the title.