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Outgoing queen Amber Shields, 15, described a bit of what it's like being Miss Pahrump and where she's now headed, having surrendered her crown to the new Miss Pahrump for 2006.

Shields attended the traditional Governor's Ball on Nevada Day in the fall and was in the parade through Carson City. She attended an Ace Hardware-sponsored event after that. She did a benefit show with the Silver Tappers at Christmastime, performing the same "Mambo Italiano" dance she put on for the audience Saturday night. Then she raffled off tickets at CC's in Pahrump for a free prom dress in the spring.

During the events leading up to Saturday night's pageant, the soon-to-be Pahrump Valley High School sophomore said she helped teach the contestants modeling techniques for fashion wear and for "theme" modeling, the part she enjoyed the most, she said.

A second-year varsity cheerleader, Shields admitted it was "very unusual" when she won the title of Miss Pahrump last year as a freshman.

In addition to her other accomplishments, Shields has been involved in student government and is a varsity track runner.

Shields said she would like to become a professional model. "I love all this pageant stuff," she said after Saturday's event.

Shields has been competiting in beauty pageants since she was 3 years old, she said. Now she plans on running for Miss Teen Nevada, the next step up.

Asked if she ever got tired waving to crowds all the time, Shields revealed her poise: "Sometimes my hand starts to hurt, but I just switch hands," she said.