Shorter University senior business administration major Kaitlin Pauley was crowned Miss Shorter University on Feb. 17.

Pauley, a native of Summerville, Ga., was selected for this honor by a panel of three judges and was crowned by 2010 Miss Shorter University Hannah Freeman. As part of her prize, Pauley received a $2,000 scholarship and earned a chance to compete in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant later this year. A graduate of Trion High School, she is the daughter of Randy and Suzanne Pauley.

At Shorter, she is a member of the co-ed competitive cheerleading team and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Pauley founded the first chapter of the Adopt-A-Grandparent program in Chattooga County and implemented the program in a local assisted living facility. Additionally, she participated in the Floyd County Race for the Cure with the Shorter Cheer Hawks.

Allison Barnett, a junior chemistry and biology major from Dalton, Ga., was selected as first runner-up. She will receive a $1,600 scholarship. Alejandra Guillen, a junior music education major from Calhoun, Ga., was selected as second runner-up. Guillen will receive $1,200 scholarship.

Presented by Shorter University’s Office of Student Life and the Student Government Association, the scholarship pageant featured five phases, including a 10-minute private interview, a lifestyle and fitness swimwear competition, an artistic expression/performing arts competition, an on-stage interview and an evening wear competition. Also competing in the pageant were Brandi Greenwald, Maci Jo Roberts, Bricey Bradshaw, Annelise Kitching, Kelsey Mauldin, Mary Catherine Richmond, Chelsea Cross, Mary Blanks, Myra Compton and Carol Poss.

The Miss Shorter University Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant.