Lauren Carter ’11 has become a familiar and friendly face to the chemotherapy patients she cares for through her internship at Fletcher Allen Medical Center. One day in early December, the floor got a special surprise when she walked in wearing a crown.

“They loved it,” she laughed. “It was like ‘there’s a celebrity here.’”

On November 7, Lauren – a nursing student at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences – was crowned Miss Vermont 2011 during a pageant at the Sheraton Hotel. The weekend featured evening gowns and swimwear competitions on-stage and interviews with a panel of judges who look for outstanding public speaking skills, poise and confidence. The winner has the opportunity to use her title to advocate for a good cause - breast and ovarian cancer research. As Miss Vermont, Lauren will also represent the state at the Miss USA competition in the spring.

Lauren’s interest in oncology nursing fits well with the Miss USA program’s support of breast and ovarian cancer research. She will now be able to network with organizations across the state to raise money and awareness while continuing her day-to-day work with cancer patients.

“It’s a good thing for women to become spokespeople,” she said. “If you’re passionate about a cause you can make a difference.”

As a certified nurse’s assistant, Lauren has worked at Vermont Respite House throughout college. She helps nurses to care for patients at the end of their lives – a job that requires an approachable, warm personality and a down-to-earth demeanor.

“Hospice looks at the patient and family as a unit of care,” she said. “It’s about finding peace before you die, and addressing emotional and spiritual needs as well as physical needs.” Eventually, Lauren would like to help set up Hospice wings in hospitals, making the same level of care and comfort available to more people who need it at the end of their lives.

“I just like taking care of people,” she said. “You can make a real impact on people’s lives – an impact that you can see.”

At the Miss Vermont pageant, she had over 40 family members and friends cheering her on, including her mentor and professor at CNHS, Christina Melvin. Her mom was also in the audience, and will be her biggest fan at the Miss USA competition in the spring. Lauren got involved with pageants as a Mother’s Day present, but has taken from them invaluable life skills and experience.

“I’ve learned to be more confident and outspoken and poised,” she said. “I’ve grown so much.”