"A Memorable Experience"

LINCOLNTON, N.C. - I was present the first time Destiny Self took the stage in a pageant.  It was the 2017 Little Miss Lincoln County pageant.  That year Destiny was crowned the 2017 Lincoln County Sweetheart and Destiny is and will forever be “Lincoln County’s Sweetheart” to many people.  Last year she was crowned the 40th Lincoln County Apple Queen and as Destiny said “this year has been such a memorable year”.

You don’t have to know Destiny personally to know what a true sweetheart she is.  The moment you meet her you will see the sweetness in Destiny.  It comes from her soul.  She is a young lady with a big heart, especially for the foster children of Lincoln County.  Destiny grew up in what some would consider a non-traditional home.  She grew up with parents who were not her birth parents and this is why she chose her platform “Family Ever After”.  The primary goal of her platform is helping foster children understand that even though they may have gone through a tough situation or a tragedy they can still accomplish their dreams, whatever they may be as long as they put their minds to it.

During her reign as Apple Queen Destiny made many appearances around Lincoln County.  Her most important one was the Lincoln County Apple Festival and although it had to be rescheduled she said it was a lot of fun.  Other appearances included judging a local pageant, parades, BPW meetings and events, DSS events and of course helping this year’s contestants prepare for the upcoming pageant. 

When asked what her favorite part of her year has been Destiny said it was working on and expanding her platform.  Shortly after being crowned last year Destiny met with Sandy Kennedy of DSS to plan her year of appearances to support and bring awareness to the foster and adoption program.  Destiny and her family along with Willis Contracting hosted a golf tournament and raised over $3,000 for the Foster Care and Adoption fund.  This fund is used for things that the foster and adoptive care parents might not be able to fit into their budget such as prom attire, field trips, recreational sports, etc. While working on her platform was one of her favorite things it was also one of the hardest things she did this past year.  Destiny said that having to see and hear about the sad experiences that come with fostering and adopting such as separation of families and the children who are too young to understand was really hard to experience.

As her reign comes to an end Destiny says the thing she will miss most is meeting new people and the Burgess family.  After Saturday she will turn her focus to the next chapter in her life which will be pursuing her Pharmacy degree at Wingate University where she received an academic scholarship.  Destiny said she will definitely be home for the upcoming Apple Festival and next year’s pageant, however she has no plans to continue her pageant career unless there is scholarship money involved.

Destiny’s last duty as Apple Queen other than crowning the new queen Saturday night, is to leave this year’s queen with some advice.  It is a tradition in the pageant world to thank all of those who have helped throughout your reign and to offer your successor some advice.  Destiny leaves this year’s queen with this important piece of advice: “Always stay true to yourself no matter what, remember you are a role model, be kind and leave your mark on Lincoln County”

Destiny you have lived out your advice for the upcoming queen and Lincoln County is a better place because you are a part of it.  May your future continue to be bright and successful and may God continue to Bless you.

Congratulations on a wonderful year!

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