Lindsey Porter is the new face of KARE for Kids.

Porter, 18, of Dawsonville, was named Miss KARE for Kids Saturday afternoon at Riverview Middle School in the organization’s inaugural pageant.

A 2009 Dawson County High School graduate, Porter now attends Gainesville State College and is studying to be a registered nurse.

She will represent KARE for Kids, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to provide for underprivileged children in Dawson County, throughout the community for the next year.

Porter was also named most photogenic for her age group.

Miss KARE for Kids first runner up was Jenny Daniel. Paige Dooley was named second runner up and received the people’s choice award.

Also crowned Saturday were Miss Teen Michelle Lee Grigsby, Junior Miss Kaitlin Edwards, Little Miss Calli Watson, Petite Miss Chloe Isabel Palacios and Tiny Miss Abby Williams.

“Our judges could not have chosen more outstanding young ladies to represent KARE for Kids,” said pageant organizer Nicki Knight. “The judges had an impossible job choosing the winners. All the girls were beautiful on the inside and out.”

Around 50 girls between the ages of newborn to 22 years old competed in the pageant.

“We expected maybe around 30 and were so surprised by the number that registered,” Knight said. “The contestants and our judges did awesome.”

Pageant winners will appear at the 42nd Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival Oct. 24 and 25.

Proceeds from the pageant will help KARE for Kids purchase Christmas presents and other necessities for children in need in the county.