Editor's note: Photos from the 2008 Baldwin County Junior Miss pageant are now available to purchase on gulfcoastphotosnow.com

Kaylin Elizabeth Baker was all smiles, but shocked Saturday, when she won the title of Baldwin County Junior Miss.

Minutes after winning the title, Baker said, “I thought they were kidding,” when her number seven was announced as the winner.

She said she was scared to walk center stage because she thought they had said the wrong number.

This is the first year a Spanish Fort High school student could participate in the event.

As the Baldwin County Junior Miss, Baker won a $1,000 tuition scholarship, a two-year tuition scholarship to Faulkner State Community College and other assorted prizes. She will also represent Baldwin County in the state pageant, which will be held in Birmingham in January.

Baker competed against 17 other young women from surrounding Baldwin County high schools.

The event was held in the Performing Arts Center for Faulkner State Community College where the reigning 2007 Junior Miss Avery Elisabeth Cotton presented Baker with flowers and a sash.

In addition to winning the 2008 Baldwin County Junior Miss title, Baker was also chosen by the other pageant contestants the “Spirit of Junior Miss Award.”

“The girls were with me for two months and they still thought I deserved that, so that meant a lot to me,” she said Sunday afternoon.

The contestants were judged on scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression. Special awards were given: Chelsea Justice and Natalie Bowman — fitness; Lacey Myers and Natalie Bowman —self expression; Adria Lehmann and Chelsea Justice — talent; Hope Barnard — interview; essay contest winner for Hope Barnard“Be Your Best Self.”

Fourth runner-up was Martha Ann Merritt Taylor. Third runner-up was Lacey Myers. Second runner-up was Chelsea Justice. First runner-up was Natalie Bowman.

Baker performed ballet from Cinderella entitled “Mizurka,” in a blue and white peasant style costume for her talent presentation.

Baker said she gave a silent prayer prior to her self expression portion. She feared she might go blank, like she did in rehearsal.

In her presentation, Baker said that money isn’t everything, but leaving a legacy is. When she chooses a career ,she wants to be passionate about what she does, she said.

“So, when some girls will be reaching for the stars, I’ll be reaching for my math book,” she said.

The high school senior said being a good role model is very important to her.

“It makes me be my best self all the time,” she said. She said she didn’t get where she is today by herself, but gives the credit to God.

“God is wonderful and great, not me,” she said.

Baker is president of the National Honor Society and the senior class and is a member of the yearbook staff at Spanish Fort High School. She also serves on the Dogwood Trail and is a winner of a Red Ribbon Leadership Award.

Her hobbies include dancing, running and painting. She said she loves to dance on stage, but often pretends it is only her mother in the audience watching her.

Baker said the whole situation still feels pretty unreal, and she went to celebrate after Saturday night’s win with old friends, she said. She said her mother, father and brother are thrilled about her winning the title.

“I think my Dad was crying when I got off the stage,” she said.

Going to the state competition may also be a life-changing experience because she will meet so many new people, Baker said. She said some of the contestants end up being best friends for life.

“I’m looking for that bond, because I found that in the county pageant for sure,” she said.

For the state competition, she hopes to change her ballet routine to include en pointe.

“I will have to calm down before I go shopping for the state competition,” she said with a laugh.