Wow....I have never felt so overwhelmed, blessed, and excited. I feel so blessed to be surrounded with family, friends, and a NC committee who love and support me with such generosity. I have had an average of about 3-4 hours sleep each night since the crowning, but somehow I wake up with a smile on my face knowing that this is the first week of my dream journey from an ambitious young girl to a woman of great influence in the state and community. I have had interviews with WRAL, TV 14, ABC, G105, 94.7 QDR, News and Observer, High Point Enterprise, and the Daily Tar Heel to name a few. Each interview was very different, but one common thread was the welcoming spirit of all who interviewed me. All of the personnel seemed genuinely excited to see me and it proved to be a true testimony of the great work that all of the local queens have done in the state of North Carolina. This morning I had the opportunity to join Miss Johnston County at the QDR event in Smithfield for the NC Children's promise. It was so great to see Kinsie again and especially at such a fun and successful event. From this event I headed, with my beautiful carolina princess Charli Rosenburg, to Clinton NC.

Hubert Vester Ford of Clinton has graciously offered to sponsor a car for me to drive for the year. Well......I was told that this would be a ford focus, which is great, but when Beth drove up my mouth dropped open as I saw a cherry red mustang convertible sitting in front of me with a white bow on the hood!! So Charli and I drove home with the top down, dreaming about all of the fun times we would share together in this car. Hubert Vester Ford has generously opened up their business to myself and the Miss North Carolina Organization and I am truly thankful for everything they did, and will continue to do, to make this year even more exciting.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has made this fast-paced week such a delight! I am working hard to give back to the state in the same way they have given to me. I am proud to be a North Carolina girl!

Love,
Amanda Watson
Miss North Carolina 2008