Brindlee grad to model in NYC

Copper, a 2020 graduate of Brindlee Mountain High School, says she is honored to get the chance to represent such an amazing pageant system.

"I can’t even explain how I feel about this title," she said. "I was definitely shocked but also very excited."

Cooper said she has been after this title for years.

"The current title I hold, I have actually tried for 2 years before winning. Each year I didn’t win but that didn’t stop me. I wanted this title so bad, so I tried again for the 3 year in a row and like I have always heard, the 3rd time is a charm!"

Crowns and awards in the pageant world are what everyone wants to achieve but pageants hold a much deeper value to Cooper.

"Pageants are very important to me because my grandmother loves watching me and being there to support me," she continued. "It makes me so happy when I see the way she looks at me and makes me feel so good."

Her father, DeWayne Cooper, could not be more proud of what his daughter has accomplished.

"Carrie is a small town girl living her best life," he said. "She is a self starter and never starts anything she can’t finish. She works very hard and is also very dedicated to her family and her friends."

Her best friends, according to Dewayne, are her great grandmother and late great grandfather, Will and Jackie Clements.

"They have a very close bond."

DeWayne remembers hid daughter's first pageant, at just 6 months old.

"Her mother and I put her in a pageant in Cullman when she was 6 months old. She won that and that's where it all started," he recalled. "Her great grandmother, Jackie, saw that spark and ran with it."

Currently, Cooper holds over 100 titles, close to 300 crowns, and has been in over 300 pageants from South Alabama to West Virginia.

Her latest pageant, held in Atlanta, is where she won her latest title, "Miss United International Elite Teen."

Cooper now heads to New York during "Fashion Week," held Sept. 7-12. She will be working with clothing and footwear designer, Marc DeFang.

"I’m very proud of Carrie and all her accomplishments. She is an amazing daughter and never seems to surprise me when she goes for something," he said. "Hopefully, we will have her as Miss Alabama next year."

Carrie will attend Athens State this fall to continue her degree towards Early Elementary Education. She hopes to become a first grade teacher.