By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

Chloe Blanton has enjoyed being in the limelight since the age of two when she began dance lessons, playing dress-up and entertaining anyone willing to be entertained. She watched beauty pageants, looking up to women who competed for state and national titles, and dreamed of one day standing center stage in a dazzling evening gown waving to family and friends.

The Calera High School junior was crowned Jr. Miss CHS in eighth grade, Miss CHS 2nd alternate in tenth grade and is the reigning Little Miss Shelby County. Blanton will compete in August for the Little Miss Alabama title.

“The weekend of Little Miss Shelby County I was camping with my family at Brierfield,” Blanton said. “For three days I had worn a t-shirt and my hair on top of my head. We rush home that Saturday and I’ve got to put all this make-up on and do my hair. After the pageant I wore my crown back to Brierfield.”

This was her first step of competing in front of preliminary Miss Alabama judges. In addition to the title of Little Miss Shelby County, she won Miss Interview, Most Photogenic and Best Evening Gown.

Blanton stays busy with school activities. “Last year I was on dance team and marched in the inaugural parade with the Calera Eagle Band,” she said. “I traveled to New York to sing at Carnegie Hall with the school choir as part of the National Youth Choir. This year will be just as busy. I’m captain of the dance team, a concert choir member and I’ll be taking AP classes.”

Blanton’s parents, Wally and Michelle, have watched their daughter grow into a lovely young lady. “We are proud of Chloe’s accomplishments,” Michelle said. “She is a member of the National Honor Society, and full of faith and godly conviction She has her driver’s license and started a job the beginning of the summer. She’s driven and has a bright future.”

Blanton will compete this fall in the Miss Outstanding Teen pageant, a preliminary for Miss Alabama, and is seeking sponsors for both pageants. Interested sponsors can email bamamom474@gmail.com.