High heels for test tubes: Destin Middle School crowns Miss Marlin (PHOTOS)

Taking home the tiara and title of Miss Marlin at Thursday night’s pageant was eighth grader Callie Peterman.

“It feels really good,” said the pageant queen. “I’m just so excited.”

Peterman was one of five girls crowned at the third annual Miss Marlin Pageant hosted by Destin Middle School. Money raised from the evening went to the support the school’s science department.    

To see more photos from the pageant, click here.

The pageant was open to girls from fifth through eighth grade and divided into two groups, the junior participants and the senior participants.

“This gives the girls the opportunity to become more comfortable on stage,” said pageant coordinator Sage Mallory. “Hopefully they will gain the confidence needed to compete in Miss Destin and Junior Miss and other pageant programs that offer scholarship money.”

During the pageant, each girl entered the stage gracefully while a list of their activities, achievements, and future plans were read aloud while they walked in front of the judges. The 24 pageant participants were scored based on their poise and beauty.

At the end of the night, two beauties were crowned from each category and the overall winner, Miss Marlin, was the eighth grader with the highest overall score.

Peterman, who took top honors, enjoys cheerleading, gymnastics and going to the beach. She is co-captain of the cheerleading squad, a science fair winner and enjoys helping the elderly. Three words that describe her are caring, outgoing and creative.

From the junior participants, sixth grader Sky Rivera and fifth grader Delaney Decker were crowned. In the senior division, seventh graders Lauren Hunter and Jesi Harrell took home tiaras.

After the pageant, family and friends rushed on stage for hugs and pictures with their pageant beauties, — crown or no crown.