RODEO ROYALTY: Peyton LoCicero crowned as Miss Destin 2011 (PHOTOS and POLL RESULTS)

Peyton LoCicero reeled in the tiara and the title of Miss Destin 2011 Saturday night at the Destin Community Center.

“It feels so good to be part of the tradition,” LoCicero told The Log after being crowned.

To see more photos from the pageant, click here.

To read bios of the contestants, click here.

Helen Donaldson, executive director of the Destin Fishing Rodeo, was very excited for the new member of rodeo royalty.

“The judges made some very tough decisions,” she said. “Any six of the girls would have served wonderfully as Miss Destin.”

Dozens of friends, family and community members came out for the pageant Saturday night. The dimly lit gymnasium was transformed into an elegant catwalk and stage lined with white fabric and lighting.

This year’s contestants were Peyton LoCicero, Callie Kaltz, Cassidy Whitson, Martina Berrios, Katrina Lathi and Katherine Wilson.

Although the ladies looked the part of a beauty queen, Miss Destin was chosen based on her involvement in the community, her ability to communicate, poise, confidence, sincerity and audience appeal. She must be mature, responsible and intelligent.  

After a brief introduction, the girls and Miss Destin 2010 Amanda Rolf hit the catwalk wearing the “latest in fishing apparel,” from MOJO Sportswear Company.

Next they performed a dance to Katy Perry’s “Firework,” choreographed by Miss Destin 1997 Angela Firth-Hayles. The performance started off with glow sticks and ended with a bang as the girls came together for a kick-line. 

The girls were then presented in their formal gowns after a quick wardrobe change. Next the contestants were asked a random “mystery question” from the fish bowl such as “which food are you most like?” and “What celebrity would you invite to dinner?”

After deliberation and reflecting on the past month they spent getting to know each of the six contestants, it was time for the judges to crown the new queen of the fishing rodeo.

The six young ladies joined hands as WEAR ABC 3 meteorologist Christian Garman announced the awards from the evening.

The Nancy Cheney Miss Congeniality award went to Martina Berrios. The “saucy” 11^th-grader took home $100 cash and a plaque from Michael R. Cheney Insurance.

 LoCicero also took home the Dee Brush-Sanborn Miss Photogenic award that included $100 cash and a plaque from Guy Donaldson and Guy’s Glass and Mirror.

The second runner up for the title of Miss Destin was Cassidy Whitson, an 11^th grader from South Walton High School. Whitson took home the Bonnie Orr Memorial Award, a $500 scholarship courtesy of the Larry Hatchett Fishing Fund.

First runner up was 10^th-grader Callie Kaltz of Fort Walton Beach High School. She took home a $750 scholarship. 

Miss Destin LoCicero also received a $3,000 scholarship. Each of the other contestants also received a $250 scholarship.

President of the Destin Fishing Rodeo Jim Green said he thought the pageant was fabulous.

“I was very pleased with the decision,” he said. “The community always pulls together for the Miss Destin pageant and the fishing rodeo.”

LoCicero said as Miss Destin 2011, she plans to maintain a positive attitude and be a good example not only for the young ladies, but boys too.

During Miss Destin’s reign, “I would like to visit the elementary school and read to them,” she said. “I want to be a role model for younger girls so they will want to be Miss Destin in the future.”