By Mary Lou Smith

The News staff writer

PORT NECHES — “I was shocked. I hardly heard my name called,” Taylor Shields said when her name was announed as Miss Port Neches at the PN-G High School auditorium. 

Taylor’s mother, Julie, said she was just as shocked as her daughter when her name was called. As a mother of a pageant contestant, Julie said it was important to her to “be there” for her daughter in every possible way to show her support and encouragement.

 “I feel like, as a mom, it’s important for me to find out – OK-  if this is what she wants to do, what does she need in order to succeed. And I feel justified. I always knew she was beautiful. And now others think she is, too.” Shields said.

Since her crowning, Taylor said she has been getting phone calls and letters in the mail, some from people she has not heard from in years.

“I even got a letter from my third-grade nurse. It was a lot of fun to hear from her,” she said.

The 16-year-old junior at PN-G High School said she is looking forward to fulfillng her duties as Miss Port Neches. In addition to attending all RiverFest events, she will also represent the city of Port Neches in the Christmas Parade and PN-G’s Homecoming Parade.

Taylor said she owes a lot of credit to her coach, Courtney Bradshaw, for helping her with her posture and form. Taylor said working with Bradshaw, a former Miss Texas pageant contestant, really helped boost her self confidence.   

The daughter of Julie and Bob Shields, Taylor said she does not seem to find it hard to adjust to life as usual even though it has only been a little over a week since her crowning. Her full schedule as a student at PN-G probably has a lot to do with it. Taylor said that she is so busy, she really does not have time to think about her new title,

As a member of the Indianettes drill team, Taylor is required to attend practice daily, even after school, to learn dance routines that are performed at all football games and pep rallies. The drill team is also preparing for its spring recital that is held in May. Taylor said she is really looking forward to the recital because it is an opportunity to showcase additional talent beyond the traditional dance routines performed during football season.

When she is not practicing high kicks or studying, Taylor is probably pursuing another of her interests — painting, specifically with water colors. Taylor’s mother is an art teacher at Hamshire Fannett Middle School, and also paints. Taylor admitted that her mother’s painting influenced her to start dabbling as well.