A local teen will be representing Niles at a national level during the 2017 Miss Teen Nationals pageant in Orlando, Florida, in December.

Faith Hyatt, 16, was selected as a first-runner up in the 16-to 20-year age group on Aug. 26 and 27 in the first leg of the competition. To achieve the ranking, Hyatt interviewed with a panel of four judges in Grand Rapids.

She then continued on to compete in the pageant portion of the competition, where she took the stage with more than 1,000 Miss Teen competitors across the state in Grand Haven.

This was Hyatt’s first pageant, and she said she decided to participate as a way to overcome her agoraphobia: a fear of being in new places, situations and crowds of people. Hyatt said she was not expecting to be given the opportunity to continue on in the pageant.

“That was definitely surprising,” Hyatt said. “I was so excited.”

Hyatt was not the only one celebrating over her win. Her mother, Jennifer Hyatt was there with her during every leg of the competition, cheering her on and sneaking back stage to give her hugs.

“This competition seems to be her thing,” Jennifer said. “She really knows how to shine.”

The mother and daughter duo said the win is particularly special, considering all the family has been through in the past couple of years.

Jennifer is a three-time cancer survivor, who was first diagnosed with liver cancer at the age of 22. In 2013, the cancer returned — this time in the form of cervical cancer, which spread to her ovaries.

Hyatt left public school at the age of 13 to help care for her mother. The teen balanced homeschooling with cooking, cleaning and providing basic care for Jennifer, who at times was sick and bed ridden.

When homeschooling got to be too much for Jennifer, Hyatt enrolled in Cedar Lane, then Brandywine Innovation Academy.

Jennifer has now been cancer free for two years and wants Hyatt’s life to regain some normalcy.

Hyatt is now enrolled in the Niles Adult Education and is working toward her high school degree. While caring for her mother, Hyatt struggled with depression and developed deep- seated anxiety.

Since those challenging days, Hyatt is like her mother, continuing the road to recovery.

Hyatt has since enrolled in therapy and openly shares her methods for overcoming her struggles with depression.

For Hyatt, participating in the pageant is about more than holding her poise on the stage. The teen said she also hoped to share inspiration drawn from her own past to help others overcome their own struggles.

Back stage when Hyatt said she was trying to remain calm about going on stage in front of more than a thousand people, Hyatt talked with other competitors who were also scared.

“Even some of the older girls were nervous, and we would just talk and every one would start to open up,” Hyatt said.

At the national level, Hyatt said she is excited to continue her journey to build more confidence and grow from what she has learned so far.

Just like the competition before, Jennifer will be there to cheer her on.

“We have never had the chance to take a vacation like this,” Jennifer said.

In addition to possibly winning the Miss Teen title, there is also the chance to win $40,000 in scholarship money.

The family is currently raising money to cover the approximately $4,000 cost of the trip. So far, they have raised about $160. The money will cover travel expenses, as well as the cost of Hyatt’s dresses. The pageant will take place Dec. 13 to 18.

A Go Fund Me is available at: gofundme.com/faithhyatt2017missteen.