GLOVERSVILLE - On her fourth attempt, Heather Shaffer finally took home the crown.
In front of a maximum capacity auditorium, the Elmira College student was named Miss Fulton County 2010 at Gloversville High School.
She said she was not expecting Master of Ceremonies Mike Bellotti to say her name as he told the crowd the name of the new Miss Fulton County.
"I'm really excited," Shaffer said backstage after her win. "I still can't believe that it's real."
Although Shaffer has competed three times without winning, she said her mother has always keep her confident and never let her get down on herself.
"I just kept telling her to be her best," her mom, Karol Trombly, said with tears in her eyes. "If you do your best - dreams can come true."
For winning the pageant, Shaffer was the recipient of a $4,000 scholarship to further her dream of becoming a plastic surgeon.
The scholarship awards have grown significantly since the Miss Fulton County program began. The first pageant, in 1972, awarded a total of $500 in scholarships. In 2009, the scholarships awarded totaled more than $10,000. To date from Fulton County businesses, foundations, former titleholders, and other individuals, the Miss Fulton County Scholarship Program has awarded more than $210,000 to Fulton County's young women.
First runner-up Danielle Trumbull, a student at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, won a $2,000 scholarship; second runner-up Jennifer Wolff, also a student at FMCC, won a $1,000 scholarship; and third runner-up Lauren Crandall, a FMCC student as well, took home a scholarship for $750.
Trumbull received an additional $250 for her vocal performance of her own rendition of "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis.
BrieAnne Wilson, a SUNY Oswego student, received a $250 scholarship after being chosen by her fellow competitors as Miss Congeniality.
Sarah Hafter, a student at SUNY Oneonta, won two separate scholarships. Hafter won one for $234 for her community spirit and $250 for the interview award.
Shaffer said that she is good friends with all of the girls and spending time with them backstage was one of her favorite parts of being involved in the pageant.
From here, Shaffer will take part in a variety of community and charity events along with parades and visits to local schools. She also will be heading down to represent the area in the Miss New York Pageant.
Shaffer said she had a fair idea of when the entire experience will become a reality to her.
"When I wake up in the morning and see the crown," Shaffer said smiling.
