BURIEN — Janae Calaway of Pasco won the title of Miss Washington Outstanding Teen on Sunday to keep the crown in the Tri-Cities.

Calaway, the 2011 Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen, will follow the reign of Nicole Renard of Kennewick, who was the 2010 Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen and the reigning Miss Washington Outstanding Teen.

Calaway, 17, reached the finals Sunday night after capturing the talent and evening gown awards in her division Saturday during the first round held at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.

“It was very unreal, but then it hit me,” Calaway said in a phone interview with the Herald after capturing the title.

“Having Nicole crown me was very precious,” Calaway added. “She crowned me for the Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen, and she is a wonderful role model.”

Calaway, whose parents are Courtney and Beverly Calaway of Pasco, is a student at Chiawana High School and a Running Start student at Columbia Basin College.

She topped a field of 27 at the state competition, and now advances as Miss Washington Outstanding Teen to the national competition held during August in Orlando, Fla.