Local Teen is Miss NH High School America

It began as a lighthearted suggestion a little more than a year ago.

Now Kayla Layton is headed to Texas for a chance to be crowned Miss High School America.

The 17-year-old from Bedford, who this past summer won the pageant, recently earned Miss New Hampshire High School America 2012 honors.

Layton, a senior at Goffstown High School, now has the opportunity to win a $10,000 scholarship to a college of her choice at the national competition.

"I only started pageants last year," she said. "One of my teachers said I should do one, kind of as a joke, so I tried Miss Teen New Hampshire and made top 12, winning Miss Congeniality. I thought to myself that I can do really well in them, and they are fun. I made some of my best friendships there."

In addition to taking top honors at the Hampton Beach pageant, Layton also won

Following high school, Layton said plans to earn a degree in international business and marketing.

"I want to travel the world, discover places, live my life to the full extent," she said. "I want to make a difference somehow. I do not want to be just another pretty face, I want to make a positive impact on the world, some way or another." 

Layton said she lives her life by one of her favorite Walt Disney quotes: "If you can dream it, you can do it."

"I just want to make a difference, changing someones life for the better somehow," she said. "I get involved with my community a lot with events, charity work, and volunteering."

Layton is currently working on creating an event to benefit the New Hampshire Make-A-Wish foundation.

Layton is looking for sponsors to help her get to San Antonio, Texas for the Miss High School America pageant, which takes place March 7-10. Those interested in helping may contact her via email at kayhorse@comcast.net.