PORT NECHES — Being a positive role model for other girls is what Morgan McLain is all about.

McLain, a sophomore at Port Neches-Groves High School, was recently crowned Miss Port Neches, something she is very excited about.

“I am very honored to have this position,” McLain said. “And I can’t wait to be a role model to younger girls.”

Being a role model isn’t something new to the queen.

McLain has been acting as a role model for some time now and practices what she preaches.

“I take dance at Taylor Dance Studio for 14 years,” she said. “I have a lot of little girls who dance with me and they all know me. I have to keep track of who I am and be a good role model.”

Her mother, Elizabeth McLain, vouched for Morgan’s positive influence calling her “beautiful inside and out.”

The younger girls often ask Morgan if she drinks or “does what other girls do” and she tells them “no,” and explains “that road gets you nowhere very fast,” the mother said.

Besides being a dance student and Taylor Dance Studio Junior Scholarship Winner in 2006 and 2009, McLain was named All American Cheerleader in 2010 and 2011 and served as freshman and junior varsity cheerleader from 2010 to 2012. She also just made varsity cheerleader for the 2012-2012 school year.

Besides excelling physically in cheerleading and dance, McLain is also an A-B honor roll student with a 3.8 grade point average. Her favorite subject is math.

“Math always came easy to me. I guess that’s why it’s my favorite,” she said.

She plans to attend Texas A&M College Station where she will work towards a degree in orthodontics.

The reason for the chosen field, she said, is because she once wore braces.

“I remember when I got them off. I was so much more confident in myself,” she said. “I want to help other people smile.”

McLain stays pretty busy, between school, cheerleading and dance. In her spare time she enjoys shopping with friends, running, baking for her family and playing guitar.

“I taught myself to play guitar,” she said of a time she went with friends to the Frio River about two years ago. “My friend’s dad had a guitar and helped me with a few chords.”

McLain hones her musical talent as often as she can.

“She goes on Youtube and watches people play guitar and learns the chords,” Elizabeth McLain said. “She’ll play a song and call me and her dad to listen.

McLain’s success is tied to her drive to succeed and fueled by a close knit family and Christian upbringing.

“She’s hard on herself but if she fails at something or makes a bad grade he moves forward and doesn’t dwell on negative things,” the mother said. “She is always trying to improve herself.”

McLain is the daughter of Brian and Elizabeth McLain.

“Her dad and I are truly honored to be her parents,” Elizabeth McLain said. “She’s just an amazing girl. I know no child is ever perfect but she is just an outstanding Christian girl and she shines from within, not just from her crown.”

mmeaux@panews.com