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HBCU Queen Loses Battle with Aggressive Cancer
6 Apr
Summary
- Carrie Everett, first Liberian American Miss North Carolina, died Sunday.
- She was diagnosed with aggressive cancer in summer 2025.
- Everett was a vocal performance major from North Carolina Central.
Carrie Everett, a groundbreaking Miss North Carolina, passed away on Sunday at the age of 22 after an eight-month fight with cancer. Everett made history as the first Liberian American and the first student from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to win the state title in June 2024. She was a vocal performance major at North Carolina Central University and had recently received a talent award and scholarship for her performance at the Miss America competition.
Everett was diagnosed with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma in the summer of 2025, shortly after her pageant win. Initial treatments showed promise, with tumors shrinking significantly by October 2025. However, by March 2026, traditional chemotherapy proved ineffective, prompting her family to seek specialized treatment elsewhere.
Her family announced her passing on April 6, 2026, sharing their heartbreak but also celebrating her life and legacy. The Miss North Carolina Scholarship Organization honored Everett's impact, noting her advocacy for students in HBCUs and her efforts to encourage goal setting and personal development among marginalized students.
