SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Donning a delicate, light blue gown outshone only by her brilliant smile, Taylor Prouty looked every bit the princess she was crowned Friday night.

Prouty, a senior, was named Miss Spanish Fort High School 2011 in front of a crowd of about 350 at the Daphne United Methodist Church Community Life Center.

“It was a huge success, and the new format was excellent,” said faculty sponsor Wendy Knight.

The “Puttin’ on the Ritz” theme won rave reviews from attendees, she said, but the senior dance number to “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” choreographed by Southern Edge Dance Co. in Fairhope “brought the house down,” she said.

Each of the 10 senior contestants vying for the crown worn most recently by Miss SFHS 2010 Alice Taylor performed the number with an escort of her choosing.

“Many people commented that the girls were beautiful and the boys were precious,” said Knight, who contended more than one week ago that the talented young men, alone, were well worth the $10 ticket price.

Of course, Taylor was by no means the only standout of the evening.

Thirty girls demonstrated beauty, talent and poise while an enthusiastic crowd cheered them on.

Senior Madison Schneider won Miss Congeniality and Cade Burgin, also a senior, was named Mr. SFHS 2010.

In addition, four juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshmen competed to be named class “beauties,” a first in the pageant’s four-year history.

The 2011 beauties include:

• Ashton Hamil, 11th-grade Beauty.
• Haley Jones, 10th-ggrade Beauty.
• Rebecca Schneider, ninth-grade Beauty.

Knight said the addition of class winners was well-received, as was the incorporation of both the dancing escorts and a fashion show sponsored by Men’s Wearhouse.

“We are already thinking of ways that we can top the pageant for the 2012 school year, but this year’s pageant will be a hard act to follow,” she said.