Harlingen native crowned Miss Teen USA

HARLINGEN — Harlingen’s own Danielle Doty won the Miss Teen USA 2011 competition Saturday at the Atlantis, Paradise Island and Resort in The Bahamas.

"This has been a dream come true; it’s awesome," Doty, 18, said on Monday.

Doty competed against 50 other teen beauties for this title.

The contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

Doty’s interview discussed if she supported teens receiving plastic surgery.

In November, Doty became the first teenager from the Rio Grande Valley to win the title of Miss Texas Teen USA.

Doty has been competing in beauty pageants since the age of 7. In 2003 she won the title of Miss Texas Junior Pre-Teen.

In January, Doty was ranked ninth in her senior class at Harlingen High School South, and was a straight-A honor roll student as well as a Texas Scholar, member of the National Honor Society and a dancer and cheerleader.

After the intense, week-long competition in The Bahamas, Doty traveled to Miami for the Mercedes Benz Swim Fashion Week, and will travel to New York City for the New York Media Week.

Doty said she plans to return to Harlingen before heading to college, and is considering attending the New York Film Academy.

Doty is the daughter of Kevin and Elizabeth Doty.

"We are so proud of Danielle," they stated in a press release issued Monday. "She has worked incredibly hard to prepare for the competition and is so deserving of the crown. We look forward to supporting her every step of the way."

"Being crowned Miss Teen USA is such an honor," Doty said. "I can’t wait to work with charitable alliances such as Best Buddies, DARE and Girl Talk, and to serve as a role model for teen girls. I am so proud to represent not only Harlingen, but now young women across the whole USA."