Eureka student attends Miss America Pageant

Noelle Gray, a fourth grade student at Eureka Elementary School, attended the 97th annual Miss America Pageant held in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31-Jan. 5. 

Noelle is a Silver State Star, a part of the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization. The Silver State Stars are a chapter of the Miss America’s Little Sisters sorority, the official mentorship program of Miss America and Miss America’s Teen. 

Noelle’s mentor and friend, Karrina Ferris, won the coveted Miss Nevada crown in June of 2024. This qualified her to compete for the title of Miss America 2025 in Orlando the first week of January. Noelle, accompanied by her family and Carli Gumm, Miss Nevada’s Teen 2017, traveled to Florida to support Karrina on her journey to the Miss America crown. She had many fun adventures along the way.

Noelle took the red-eye flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, on the night of Dec. 30. It departed at 11:58 p.m., arriving in Orlando, Florida, at 6:20 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. She slept the entire flight. Upon arrival in Orlando, Noelle Ubered to her hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando. This was also the host hotel for the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen contestants. Noelle dropped off her luggage and spent the entire day at two of Universal Studio’s theme parks. She rang in 2025 by watching the fireworks from Islands of Adventure. 

The rest of Noelle’s week included the Miss America Preliminary Competition, Miss America’s Got Talent, Miss America Finals and Miss America’s High Tea event. She received her official Miss America’s Little Sister sash during high tea from Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh and Miss America’s Teen 2024 Hanley House. Noelle also spent three days at Walt Disney World, where she was finally tall enough to go on every single ride!

Although Karrina did not win the title of Miss America 2025, Noelle is very happy that she is coming back to Nevada for the rest of her reign. She is looking forward to spending more time with Karrina and is excited to see her this summer. The 2025 Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada’s Teen pageant is in June this year.