Looks like Kate Porter will get her wish.

“I’ve always wanted to ride in the Christmas parade, and I’vebeen looking forward to entering this contest since I first heardabout it,” said Kate Porter, who was crowned the Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce’s Miss Merry Christmas 2001 last nightby Lacy Gaskin, last year’s winner.

Porter, daughter of Jeff and Michelle Porter, is excited aboutthe opportunity represent Brookhaven during the Christmasholidays.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday. We always have a big familygathering,” said Porter, who is a senior at Brookhaven HighSchool.

She was chosen by a panel of judges who interviewed all sevencontestants: Nicole Douglas, Lacey Holmes, Deidra Nevels, KeriPhillips, Anna Sasser and Peyton Smith.

“I had a lot of great competition. All of the girls were reallynice,” she said.

Porter’s duties as Miss Merry Christmas will start next weekwhen she begins greeting customers at the open houses of localbusinesses.

The she will greet and wave to area residents as she rides inthe Christmas parade on Nov. 29.