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Volume 83 • Issue 27
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Montcross 12th Annual See Chamber Golf Photos On Tournament Page 10 Thursday, July 6, 2017
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Garrison wins Outstanding Teen crown, headed to Orlando for national contest By Todd Hagans
Special to The Banner-News
Sixteen-year-old Marissa Garrison of Mount Holly is on top of the world – the pageant world, that is. As the state’s newest teen beauty queen, the past week has been nothing but a whirlwind of activity that leads up to her appearance on the national pageant stage in late July. During the Miss North Carolina competition held June 21-24 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Garrison topped 45 other contestants to win the Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen title and a trip to Orlando, Florida for the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant. Garrison, a rising junior at Stuart W. Cramer High School, called the crowning “the greatest moment of her life.” Garrison, competing as Miss Queen City’s Outstanding Teen, participated in the pageant last year as Miss Gaston County’s Outstanding Teen and placed in the top 15. She believes her experience in pageants, dance competitions, and school theater productions and her desire to promote organ donation propelled her to the win. “I am comfortable on stage and felt like I was doing my best in each phase of the competition,” said Garrison, who won a talent award for her contemporary dance and also claimed the
evening gown/on-stage question award during the preliminary competition. “I am so fortunate that the judges believed in my abilities to be Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen, and I am looking forward to what this year will bring.” Since her crowning, Garrison has participated in photo shoots, been dress shopping, made public appearances, and even taken time to be involved in community service. As she tours the state this year, Garrison wants to promote the Destiny Lives On Foundation, an organization that honors the memory of Destiny Stafford, one of Garrison’s friends and classmates who died in a horseback riding accident two years ago. Stafford’s family chose to donate her organs so she could live on in others. It’s a story that Garrison plans to share during her reign. But, first things first. Garrison is concentrating on getting ready for the national pageant and has high hopes of becoming the first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen from North Carolina. “I am already focusing on Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and representing my state,” said Garrison. “I’ve had a lot of people supporting me during this incredible journey and I want to make them proud.” Among Garrison’s most ardent supports are her parents, Phillip and
Carmen Baker to be inducted into Mt. Holly Sports Hall of Fame By Kathy Blake When childhood innocence collides with natural talent, and determination and persistence join in, good things happen. Athletes in year-round sports understand: There is no off-season, your sport is something you do, not something you play and your mindset is oblivious to anything different. Carmen Baker made that discovery at age 8. “I just dove into a pool when I was 8 and realized that it was for me. I don’t think at that point in my juncture that I thought anything about it,” she says. “I didn’t realize that other kids weren’t doing the same things. It was just my normal, everyday life.” Baker, 39, grew up in Mount Holly and swam competitively for
Barbie Garrison, who were watching from their seats on the eighth row as their daughter accept the Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen crown for 2017. The moment was surreal as they smiled, hugged friends, wiped tears, and beamed with pride. As for the Garrison family, they will have little time to relish Marissa’s win as they set their sights on heading to Orlando for the national competition scheduled for July 25-29. Instead of Mickey Mouse ears, they hope Marissa comes home with the crown on her head. Garrison is the third Outstanding Teen winner from Gaston County in the state pageant’s 13-year history. Kayla Moran, representing Mount Holly, won in 2005 and Mya Kayler, representing Gastonia, won in 2008. While Garrison earned the pageant’s top prize, several other teen contestants with connections to Gaston County received recognition. Savanna Mayes, Miss Gastonia’s Outstanding Teen, won a talent award and placed in the top eight. Miss Gaston County’s Outstanding Teen Madeline Alexanian and Miss Charlotte’s Outstanding Teen Makensie McDaniel, who is from Belmont, were among the top 15 finalists. Chloe Clary represented Mount Holly and Karson Harrell represented
The newly-crowned Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen Marissa Garrison smiles and waves to the audience after winning the state teen title on June 24 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. Garrison is the daughter of Philip and Barbie Garrison of Mount Holly and attends Stuart W. Cramer High School. Photo by Todd Hagans
See GARRISON page 3
Belmont council approves FY2017-2018 budget
the Gaston Gators throughout her childhood, was East Gaston High School’s Athlete of the Year four years running, beginning in ninth grade while still in junior high and went on to break records at North Carolina State after being recruited by several colleges. Her resulting induction into the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame is, she says, “a great honor.” “I would say that at 10 years old I was going five days a week, after school, and when I was 13 it was six days a week and doubles in the summer,” she says. “I was efficient at multi-tasking, for sure. We went straight from school to my neighbors’ house to get a snack and carpool, then straight to practice, then
The Belmont city council approved the municipality's FY2017-2018 budget at a special session held June 26. The preliminary budget presented at the council's June 5 regular meeting had held the possibility of a 2.5 cents per $100 of valuation property tax hike – from 47.5 cents to 50 cents. However, the increase was eliminated in the final June 26 vote. The revenue that would have been generated from the tax increase was allocated to capital projects, so it was removed from capital expenditures. Once those revenues and expenses were removed and the budget adjusted, the budget ordinance was passed 4-0. “The adopted budget for the new fiscal year addresses several city council goals while keeping the property tax rate the same as it has been since 2007,” said city manager Adrian Miller. “To do this we had to hold the line on our operating expenses. I appreciate the hard work that Finance Director
See BAKER page 3
See BUDGET page 4
By Alan Hodge
alan.bannernews@gmail.com
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