Dressed in a floor length, silk gown, Morgan Bennett was crowned Miss KARE for Kids 2011 Saturday afternoon at Riverview Middle School.

Competing in her first pageant, Bennett, who is the daughter of Tim and Kim Bennett of Dawsonville, said her nerves turned to surprise when she was announced the winner.

“I was really doing the pageant for fun and because it’s for such a good cause,” said the Dawson County High School senior, who was also named homecoming queen last week.

Now in its second year, the pageant is one of several fundraisers for KARE for Kids, a local non-profit organization that provides Christmas presents to Dawson County children in need.

As queen, Morgan Bennett will represent KARE for Kids in various capacities during the next year, which she said is an added benefit.

“I went shopping with KARE for Kids last year when they bought presents for the kids,” she said, adding she looked forward to being more involved.

More than 50 contestants competed in Saturday’s pageants in seven age categories. Judging was based on beauty, poise and personality.

Each division queen received a crown, sash and bouquet of flowers. Trophies were also awarded to each runner-up of each age division.

Robin Smith, a KARE for Kids spokeswoman, called the pageant “a great success.”

“We had a profitable day and no complaints at all,” she said. “This is definitely an event we will have again next year.”