Grayson’s Princess Goes to Work

In May, Patch blogger Jason Brooks told you about who was crowned Miss Conyers Outstanding Teen in February. This week, she is in Columbus with girls from all over the state as a contestant in the Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen competition and her chance to be Miss America's Outstanding Teen.

Each girl competing must have a platform and Hinesley's “Let's Get it Straight: Scoliosis Awareness” hits close to home for her as she was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent a spinal fusion as a seventh-grader. At a recent fundraiser for the National Scoliosis Foundation at the s in Grayson, Hinesley raised more than $300. The NSF has made her part of the Angel Brigade – a part of the organization that is comprised up of scoliosis patients.

Hinesley's resolve and determination are evident in her recovery as a 13-year old. 

“Her surgeon anticipated her stay in the hospital to be a week and to be out of school for at least a month,” said her mother, Mary Hinesley. “Courtney, being the determined person she is, left the hospital after only four days and returned to school in a week and a half.”

Before the surgery, Hinesley was an active teenager and involved in cheerleading even though doctors warned that a return to this level of activity would probably not be possible. The 6-inch rod down her back made tumbling impossible, but “she was determined to try.” After six months of no physical activity, she returned to the gym and proved her determination with a back handspring 

“She tried out for cheerleading at Grayson High and has made the squad since freshman year,” her mother said, adding the teen is a Varsity football and basketball cheerleader.

Hinesley now takes her platform to the state level and this week is a busy one for this local princess. Tuesday consists of five hours of rehearsals and preliminaries start on Wednesday. She will compete with her rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home.” Thursday is the evening gown competition and Friday is fitness wear.

The finale on Saturday is not the end of the week’s competition; the top 10 contestants are announced and will compete again in talent, evening gown and fitness. These top 10 contestants receive scholarship money as do the preliminary winners.

The Miss America Oustanding Teen competition has made scholarship payments to more than 80 different colleges and universities with a total over $400,000. The website reflects their belief that “education is key to a person’s success and we are proud to be able to assist many outstanding teens with their college expenses.”

Many in the city of Grayson are very excited about Hinesley's chances and share the days’ successes via Facebook or text posts. Grayson’s City Administrator, Laura Paul-Cone, knows the teen well.

"In the three years I've known Courtney, I have watched her grow from a pretty little eighth-grade girl into a beautiful, mature young woman," Paul-Cone said. "Her hard work in the pageant circuit as well as her dedication to using her titles for community service and to bring about change and awareness about early detection of scoliosis have been incredible and inspiring. She is definitely the hardest working and most determined young woman I have ever known. We are so proud to not only know her but to be able to consider her as part of our family."

You may keep up with the pagent through the continuous news feed section at Columbus station www2.wrbl.com