Allie Claire Townsend will be busier today than usual.

The 17-year-old, who was named Miss Merry Christmas this week by the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, will be visiting restaurants and shops that are participating in the annual Christmas open house.

Townsend, a senior at Brookhaven High School, competed against four young women for the title. She is the daughter of Dwayne and Cindy Townsend.

“I was shocked,” Townsend said about her win. “I’m looking forward to spreading the Christmas spirit and making people smile over the holidays.”

Townsend will be the official ambassador for Brookhaven throughout the holiday season.

Besides spreading Christmas cheer today and through the holidays, Townsend will lead the annual Christmas parade Nov. 30.

The teen has big plans for her future.

She has a 4.0 GPA and scored a 26 on her ACT. Townsend made the top six in the Presidential Scholars Program.

During her junior year, she led the way in her class with the most community service hours. She is head captain of the color guard in the Panther band.

Townsend is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Honors Society and Lincoln County Young Republicans. She is also a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she is active in the choir and youth group.

After graduating high school, Townsend plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College for the first two years.

“After that I want to go to Mississippi State and major in Spanish and education,” she said. “I want to move back to Brookhaven and teach here. My Spanish teacher, Mrs. White, has really inspired me to go into Spanish.”