By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The reigning Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen Kyra Callens is pleased to announce the top three winners of her people’s choice photogenic contest for breast cancer patients and survivors called “Picture the Cure:” Pam Holton, Violet Smiley and Jerrie Callens.

The contest was a rousing success as Callens exceeded her goal and raised $1,290 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The special event for breast cancer patients and survivors treated the women to a complimentary weekend of hair, makeup and photogenic session at Vecchia’s in Hoover. Participants were: Jerrie Callens, Violet Smiley, Lonia Talley Parhm, Dorothy Hill, Thelma Cotton, Pam Holton, Kasandra Brundidge, Denise Williams, Gloria Turk, Amy Miller, Angie Kurosaka, Heather Turner, Raquel Smith, Kennya Blunt, LiTisa Croom Gaston, Alicia Smitherman, Sheila Sullivan and Tracy Williams.

Callens extends a very special thank you to her sponsors: Sharon Reeds, Tonikka Casey, Misty Wilson, Crystal Dorion, Amber Gomez Photography, photos by Jennifer Hunter, Ryan Jones, Melissa at Four Seasons and Vecchia Pizzeria and Mercato Restaurant, Bernard Tamburello, owner.

First place winner Holton won a Four Seasons spa gift basket and photo package; second place winner Smiley won a hair gift certificate with Crystal Dorion and photo package; and third place winner Jerrie Callens won spa brow wax services with Sharon Reeds and photo package.

Callens is the daughter of Cassandra and Michael Callens.

She is a junior at Oak Mountain High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and show choir.

She models, dances and was a silver medal Duke of Edinburg winner. Her platform since 2012 has been to advocate for breast cancer awareness and raise funds for a cure, donating over 200 hours and $8,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“My family and I personally know the heartbreak, struggle, and triumph brought on by this devastating disease,” said Callens. “I have many family members who have been affected. My Aunt Violet Smiley and I have always had a special bond, so with her diagnosis and treatment, I knew I had to support efforts to find a cure. My main goal in ‘Picture the Cure’ was to make this experience as refreshing as possible for the participants and to make them feel beautiful and free.”