Miss Relay for Life winners
Blakely Tamasi, Baby Miss Relay for Life
Abigail Faith Walden, Tiny Miss Relay for Life
Andi Jane Cioffi, Teeny Miss Relay for Life
Lacie Hendrix, Petite Miss Relay for Life
Abigail Layne Samples, Sweetheart Miss Relay for Life
Lark Ansley Reece, Junior Miss Relay for Life
Laney Maryellen Taylor, Teen Miss Relay for Life
Caitlin Elizabeth Banks, Miss Relay for Life
Millie Dyer, Ambassador
A local high school sophomore was recently crowned Miss Dawson County Relay for Life.
Caitlin Elizabeth Banks, 15, said the pageant held on March 1 at Riverview Middle School was a tribute to an uncle, who succumbed from cancer.
"It was not long after he was diagnosed that he passed away," she said. "I personally have a strong feeling that there is a cure out there and I feel like organizations like the American Cancer Society can find that cure."
In preparing for the pageant, Banks said she wanted to make sure her reason for competing came across sincere.
She spent several days developing the answer she would present to the judges.
"I Relay for not only my great uncle who passed away from cancer, but for all of those who've had cancer and have cancer, because I believe that with the work from organizations like this one, we can work together and...further our chances of finding a cure," she said.
Banks, who attends Dawson County High School, will serve as an ambassador by attending Relay for Life gatherings such as the county's annual survivors' dinner to be held April 9.
She will also lead the daylong relay event that is set for 11 a.m.-11 p.m. April 25 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
For more information about Relay for Life or to sign up, visit www.relayforlife.org/dawsoncountyga.