She's got a crown to prove she's Rotorua's most beautiful woman but 17-year-old Lauren Atkinson isn't letting it go to her head.
On Saturday night she was judged Miss Universe Rotorua ahead of six other local beauties at a pageant at the Grand Tiara Hotel.
Winning the title means she will represent Rotorua at the Miss Universe New Zealand pageant in Auckland on March 26.
A Year 13 student at Rotorua Lakes High School, Lauren said she spent most of yesterday still coming to terms with her win.
"I wasn't really expecting it as I thought one of the older girls might win," she said. "It was an awesome moment and something I will always remember."
She has never modelled but entered the pageant to build confidence and have fun. In the build-up to next month's national pageant, the 1.8m tall beauty will participate in various charitable functions, including the Cancer Society's Relay for Life at the International Stadium and a street appeal for Rotorua's Victim Support.
While juggling schoolwork with being an ambassador for Rotorua comes with a lot of responsibility, Miss Atkinson is prepared for the challenge and said pageants were about more than just wearing a tiara and pretty dresses.
"When you're part of them you discover they're not what most people portray them to be.
"All the girls are real people, everyone's friendly and they deserve to do the best that they can."
Runner-up was 21-year-old Aimee Rossiter, a hairdresser from Whakatane.
Hinetekawa Kiriona-Sayers was judged Miss Teen Diamond on Saturday, beating six other contestants in her section.
The 15-year-old, who wants to be a beautician, admits she lost her composure when the judges announced she had won. "I screamed when I was supposed to look elegant."
The pageant, organised by Peter Moengaroa of Reflexzions Model & Talent Agency and backed by local businesses, attracted about 150 people, including family and supporters.
