In addition to her beauty, it might have been Kassidy Payne’s personality that won over the judges for the 2014 Young Miss Peach Pageant.

After all, Payne said the personal interview was her favorite part of the pageant process.

“I liked talking to the judges,” she said on the Chilton County High auditorium stage after winning the pageant, with family, friends and well-wishers crowded around trying to squeeze into a photo with the new queen, or just offer congratulations.

Payne earned the top distinction among the field of 12 participants.

In addition to being named queen, Payne was the winner of the Casual Wear portion of the pageant.

Kalyn Smith was named first alternate, Halle Sullivan was second alternate, Alivia Brown was third alternate and Campbell Easterling was fourth alternate.

A Maplesville resident, Payne is the 11-year-old daughter of Eric and Amanda Payne.

She was sponsored by Peach Park.

The pageant began with a parade of contestants, then modeling of casual wear and the introduction of the judges.

After the 2013 Peach Queens were introduced, this year’s Young Miss contestants modeled their dresses, and then each participant received a trophy.

Before the winners were announced, 2013 Young Miss Peach Queen Mattie Woodall took her “final walk” across the stage.

Payne joins Little Miss Peach Cambree Crumpton, who was crowned Saturday, to make up half of the 2014 group of Peach Queens.

The Junior Miss Peach Pageant will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the CCHS auditorium. The Miss Peach Pageant is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Two more Chilton County girls will get to experience the feeling of being named a Peach Queen, as Payne did on Monday.

“I was speechless,” she said.