Older sashes and trophies were contained in two glass cases, while her newest accolades graced the floor like a glittering carpet.

In addition to being crowned National American Miss North Carolina Junior Teen this month, she also won six other optional competitions in the pageant. Her cash prizes totaled $2,100, and she beat out 136 girls for the main title.

Her makeup and casual bun looked perfect despite the fact that her parents rushed her home early from dance class for the interview, which her father Ashvin was taping.

It's enough to inflate any 14-year-old's ego. But Patel said when people get to know her, they realize she's pretty levelheaded.

"'Pageant girls are stuck up'- I get that a lot," she said. "I go to school and they're like: 'Oh, you're a pageant girl. Wow, you're nothing like the stereotype.' "

For a cause

A girl whose goal is to be a physician one day so she can "save lives (and) help people out," Patel said her biggest hobby is volunteering.

She helps out at retirement homes, tutors her friends and works in children's booths at Indian cultural festivals.

Trash bags full of teddy bears and books donated by fellow contestants surrounded Patel in her living room; it's now her duty as queen to deliver them to her preferred charity.

"I really want to meet some children, donate these things, bring a smile," she said.

To win her current crown, Patel did an interview, modeled evening wear and did optional competitions. She entered in every category to win the title.

Her favorite portion was the spokesmodel competition, where she talked about the dangers of cellphones. Patel cited the lack of in-person communication, increased car crashes due to texting and the possibility of brain tumors as problems of cellphone use.

"Cellphones can become an issue sometimes," she said. "I don't have a cellphone. But all my friends do, and they're always continuously texting and talking."

Next stop

The next step for Patel is the National American Miss competition in November in Anaheim, Calif.

"I'm starting to prepare everything," she said. "Walking around the house, you know, proper, having posture, sitting up straight, then answering questions in full sentences."

While her father said "winning is the best part" of pageants, Patel said her favorite part was meeting "compatible people."

"All the girls I met were intelligent," she said. "They know what they want. They're determined, they work hard. ... I really like that about the pageants."