Dover's Caroline Carter Crowned Miss Winnipesaukee

DOVER — On Sunday, Peggy Carter of Dover received a very special birthday present a day early. Her daughter Caroline was crowned Miss Winnipesaukee at a scholarship pageant at Gunstock Ski Lodge in Gilford.

Almost exactly a year ago, Caroline Carter, as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen New Hampshire, represented her state in Orlando, Florida, in the Outstanding Teen national pageant.

The Miss Winnipesaukee event was her first foray into the world of adult pageants. She has competed for 4 years and also held titles of Miss Strafford County Outstanding Teen, and Miss Capital Area Outstanding Teen.

Caroline said she enjoys the camaraderie of pageants, and likes winning. “I am a very competitive person,” said the smiling 17-year-old St. Thomas Aquinas High School senior.

As the winner, she received a $5,000 scholarship.

The reason for selecting to compete for Miss Winnipesaukee was personal. “I have always loved the area, been camping there for years, and as recently as a couple weeks ago was hiking there.”

Caroline aspires to compete for the Miss New Hampshire title in April, and has now qualified for that.

To a certain extent, Caroline is following in her sister Lauren’s footsteps.

Lauren is a former Miss Vermont USA.

The new Miss Winnipesaukee has the admiration of many of her schoolmates. According to fellow St. Thomas senior Adrienne Dwyer, “She is an amazing singer, beautiful and her hard work pays off to success in everything she does. She is such an inspiration. From school to stage she gives everything she has and doesn’t let anyone or anything get her down.”

About her mother, Caroline said, “She is my inspiration, and my number one fan. We go everywhere together, there is nothing I can’t tell my mom.”

Her father Rob also is excited about the title. Not only is it the oldest title of its kind in New Hampshire, he said, but it's "the most prestigious. She earned it.”

Peggy Carter turned 52 Monday and they had a wonderful family celebration, with husband Rob cooking ribs and a cake made by Caroline.

So what’s next for the new Miss Winnipesaukee? “My studies during my senior year, and oh ... some friends and I are starting a band,” she said.