GROVES — The 2017 Groves Pecan Queen Katelee Zampini takes delight in helping others and looks toward a future doing so.

The dark haired Zampini, 17, is a senior at Port Neches-Groves High School where she is an Indianette lieutenant and a peer tutor who works with young children.

“It’s an amazing feeling, all these little kids looking up to me,” Zampini said, adding that she even showed them her crown.

Zampini spent 13 years as a dance student and was chosen to go to New York where she took dance classes at Broadway Dance Center and with the world famous Rockettes. And while dance is obviously close to her heart, she found a new calling.

“I grew up wanting to be a dancer,” she said. “As I got older my heart fell toward nursing.”

During her junior year she was part of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America.

The class, she said, is what led her to her decision to become a neonatal nurse practitioner.

Instead of being involved in HOSA her senior year, she opted to be a peer tutoring to quench her desire to help others.

Now, as an Indianette officer and peer tutor, she recognizes that she can positively influence others.

“All these people look up to me and I want to be a god role model,” she said.

Her list of accomplishments is lengthy and the accomplishments include being on the AB honor roll and a Trusting Real Indians By Encouragement, or TRIBE member at the school and she has won numerous accolades for dance.

Zampini also has a long history with the festival pageant having earned the titles of Texas Pecan Little Miss, Texas Pecan Duchess, Texas Pecan Countess, Texas Pecan Princess and now Groves Pecan Queen. The festival only recently changed it name from Texas Pecan Festival to Groves Pecan Festival.

“I’ve been in the pageant since I was four,” she said. “I still remember the first pageant my mom put me in. I loved getting dressed up and the interview part is my favorite.”

She said being crowned queen was a great feeling.

“I’m born and raised in Groves and proud to call this my hometown,” she said. “I feel it’s an honor to represent my city of Groves.”

Zampini plans to attend Lamar University while working toward her nursing degree basics. She sees herself moving off maybe to the Houston area so she won’t be too far from her family.

Her mother, Shanna Zampini, found it difficult to describe her pride.

“My kids are my heart. I’m one very proud mamma to that girl right there,” she said. “And Katelee’s brother (Kaden) is a big supporter too. He comes to every pageant and is her number one fan.”

Shanna Zampini teared up a bit while looking at he daughter who was wearing her queen’s sash and crown for the interview and photos.

“She gives me strength. It’s usually the mom who gives the child strength but she gives me strength,” the mother said. “Whatever she puts her heart to, she goes after. She has a heart of gold and is a very determined little firecracker.”

Katelee Zampini is the daughter of Shanna and Corey Zampini.