NATCHEZ — Seventeen-year-old Lauren Rymer said she never expected to reach the finals of the Miss Mississippi Teen USA Pageant. When they announced she won Saturday, she started crying.

“It hasn’t hit me yet at all really,” Rymer said Sunday. “It’s almost like a dream.”

In Natchez, the Adams County Christian School senior spends her time as a cheerleader, student council treasurer, humane society volunteer and member of youth leadership and the honor society.

Rymer added on Miss Mississippi Teen USA participant because she thought the pageant would open doors in the modeling world, a career path she’s considering.

To get ready, Rymer said she worked with her pageant coach, Heather Thompson.

“From the first time I saw Lauren I knew she was somebody special, and I am very excited that such an amazing person that’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside has such a prestigious title and is now representing Mississippi and Natchez,” Thompson said.

Thompson helped Rymer do things such as prepare for her required interview and how to walk on stage and project her personality. She also acted as Rymer’s photographer and put together her wardrobe from her business, Susan’s Shoppe.

Last week, Rymer made the trip to Tunica where the pageant was held. Rymer was able to meet the rest of the competitors, as well as rehearse, before the actual pageant.

“It was just an amazing experience, and I got to meet a lot of wonderful people,” Rymer said.

Rymer said her favorite part was probably her peacock costume.

“It was so colorful and vibrant,” she said.

But when Rymer stepped out onto the stage for the first time in, she said the crowds made her a little nervous.

She wasn’t the only one. Her mother, Melissa Rymer, said she was nervous for her daughter when she saw her on stage.

But, at the same time, she was also a little teary-eyed.

“Just seeing her up there as beautiful as she was, it brought tears to my eyes,” Melissa Rymer said.

After the opening number, Lauren Rymer competed in an evening gown, swimwear, costume and interview sections. And, as the competition neared its end, Rymer remained in every cut.

“I was excited just to be in top 12, so when they called me out for top five, I started getting teary-eyed,” Rymer said.

When they announced the winner, being teary-eyed turned into full-on tears. From where she was on stage, she was able to see her coach’s reaction.

“She jumped up and her phone fell,” Lauren Rymer said.

Thompson said she didn’t even notice her phone was missing for approximately half an hour, and had to send her husband back to find it.

And although Lauren couldn’t see her parents because of the lights, Melissa Rymer said she felt overwhelmed.

“I was crying and clapping and yelling,” Melissa Rymer said.

Melissa Ryamer said she and Lauren’s father, Todd, are both proud of her. Thompson said she has no doubt Lauren Rymer will make her state proud too.

“She will do an amazing job at the national competition,” Thompson said.

Requests are already coming in to have Lauren Rymer model in magazines and for designers, Thompson said.

“She’s gone from a senior at ACCS to a superstar model literally within 24 hours,” Thompson said.

While a date and a location have not yet been set for Miss Teen USA, Lauren Rymer said she has a lot of work ahead of her in the coming months.

“I’m really excited, and I’m willing to work hard and hopefully get the Miss Teen USA title,” Lauren Rymer said.