Hannah Porter was crowned Miss Dawson County 2012 last month at Dawson County Middle School.

A junior at Dawson County High School, Porter said she was shocked when her name was called as the winner.

“I would have hated to be one of those judges. It was a very pretty top 5,” she said. “I really didn’t expect to win this year, so when I heard my name, my jaw dropped. I really didn’t know what to do. I just stood there and waited to be told to move up. I was very shocked.”

Competing in pageants since she was 6-years-old, Porter was first runner up her freshman year and second runner up in 2011.

She said competing in local pageants is a chance to bond with her friends.

“I know all the girls that are in it, and backstage is a lot of fun. You just get to talk about it during school and it’s just like everybody is in on it,” she said.

At 17, Porter has plans to attend North Georgia College & State University after graduation and later the University of Georgia to study forensic science.

“I love CSI, any type of criminal justice mixed with medicine, I love any kind of show like that so I’ve always wanted to do something like that,” she said.

Parents Tonya and Kirk Porter said they are proud of their oldest daughter’s accomplishments.

“She works hard in school and in her sports and she has managed to get in the top 10 percent of her class, which I’m very proud of,” said Tonya Porter. “She’s a good role model for younger girls.”

The beauty queen is also a positive role model for younger sisters Peyton and Kirkland, both of whom competed in their respective age division in this year’s pageants.

Peyton Porter was crowned Junior Miss Dawson County.

The annual pageants raise money for the Dawson County Band Boosters.