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The First Miss America from Asheville | Asheville News
At just 19, Maria Beale Fletcher stunned the nation by becoming the first—and only—North Carolinian to win Miss America in 1962, sparking a statewide celebration that included a record-breaking 120,000-person parade in Asheville. Her victory, watched by 85 million Americans, wasn’t just a beauty win—it was a cultural milestone for a town proud to call her “Home of Miss America.” Born into a dance legacy, Maria dazzled judges with her tap routine to “Somebody Loves Me” and her vision for a future blending art, family, and grace. After her reign, she earned a scholarship, starred on TV…
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