Reanna Ruark is already using her platform as the newly crowned Universe United Miss North Carolina to assist students across storm-ravaged communities in the western region of the state.
After assisting with other programs like Operation Appalachian Christmas and the Richard Petty Family Foundation, the 2023 Miss Forsyth County told Scope News that she was inspired to develop her own relief effort after her latest pageant win.
Shining Through The Storm is a project designed to aid Western North Carolina families impacted by Hurricane Helene. Through its ongoing “Say Yes to the Prom Dress” campaign, Ruark said more than 100 dresses have been collected for Owen High School students. She will be hosting an event there on April 3 during which students can select their gowns.
“When I was first crowned, I knew I wanted to do something impactful in this region, but I wasn’t sure what,” she recalled. “Then, the Lord laid this mission at my feet.”
Describing prom night as “a milestone” for many teens, Ruark noted that “for families facing tough realities — whether it’s putting food on the table or worrying about housing — the cost of a prom dress can feel impossible.”
Many of the families in and around Asheville are facing such realities ahead of this year’s prom.
“My mission is to eliminate that barrier and give these girls a chance to feel beautiful, celebrated, and empowered on their special night,” Ruark explained.
A total of six locations are currently accepting new or gently used prom dresses and accessories until April 1. Two donation sites are located in Kernersville: the Chamber of Commerce at 136 East Mountain Street, and Burn Boot Camp at 810 North Main Street.
For Ruark, Shining Through The Storm allows her to put her statewide platform to good use.
“This isn’t just about a crown,” she concluded. “It’s about using the opportunity I’ve been given to truly make a difference. Pageantry, for me, is a way to serve, to uplift, and to bring real change to communities that need it.”
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