MARION — The third time was the charm for 13-year-old Marion resident and newly-crowned Miss Cape Cod's Teen Bree LeFavor.

After placing fourth in both Miss New Bedford's Teen and Miss Fall River's Teen, LeFavor took home the crown and sash in the Cape Cod event on Saturday, Jan. 13.

“It was crazy,” she said. “It still feels unreal.”

Miss New Bedford's Teen was Bree’s first pageant, said her mom Julie LeFavor.

“I couldn’t believe this was her third time and she won,” said Julie LeFavor. “I’m proud of her … it’s just kind of shocking.”

But Bree LeFavor is in good company; Miss Cape Cod Ashley Clark, her older counterpart, is also a first time pageant winner.

One of the responsibilities of being Miss Cape Cod's Teen is making appearances at events throughout the Cape.

Julie LeFavor described Clark as her daughter’s “big sister” who will attend events with her and act as a “mentor.”

While the journey to Miss Cape Cod's Teen may not have been long for Bree LeFavor, it required a lot of preparation and training.

Pageants are structured into different events including an off-stage interview, an on-stage question, a talent, evening gowns, and “fitness” where competitors strike poses while wearing “Rebel” athleticwear, according to Bree LeFavor.

The interview and question portion of the event are based on each girl’s “Community Service Initiative,” a plan to engage their communities in a unique community service program. Participants are expected to be well-versed in their initiative, explained Bree.

Bree LeFavor’s initiative is called “SWIM,” which stands for “Swim with insightful means.” It was inspired by her love for swimming and sailing as well as a “close encounter” to drowning when she was 3-years-old, she said.

“I want to help educate kids in elementary schools and preschools about how to be safe in the water and give safety tips to follow,” she said. “[Water safety] has been very important to … my family.”

Bree LeFavor said that many people claim they don’t need to wear a life jacket because they already know how to swim.

“People have basically inferred to me that water safety isn’t a big deal because they know how to swim,” she said. “But in reality, accidents happen and it’s always important to be prepared.”

But while Bree LeFavor’s community service initiative is close to her heart, her favorite part of the pageantry is the talent portion.

“Even just viewing the talents is my favorite,” she said. “There are crazy things you would never guess pageant girls [would do]. I’ve seen martial arts acts, Irish step dancing [and] tap dancing.”

For her talent, Bree LeFavor sang “At Last” by Etta James. Talents can only last 90 seconds, she said, and “At Last” lets her show off her vocal chops quickly.

“It’s hard to display what you can do in 90 seconds,” said Bree LeFavor. “‘At Last’ is perfect because you have [parts that are] loud and low and belty.”

According to Julie LeFavor, they’re trying to find a different song to sing at future pageants but “At Last” is “a crowd pleaser.”

“People like it … whenever she sings it,” Julie LeFavor said. “They go wild.”

Bree LeFavor said she worked with vocal coach and Rochester resident Sharon Jensen.

A former Miss New Bedford, Miss Fall River and Miss Freetown, Jensen, was also a driving force behind Bree’s participation in pageants,” said Julie LeFavor.

“She laid out everything for me,” said Bree LeFavor.

According to Bree LeFavor, her friends at school have been “super happy” for her, but she had to explain a lot about pageantry.

“Everyone thinks it's a beauty pageant for some reason, and they don’t realize it’s about scholarships and answering questions,” she said.

At the Miss Cape Cod's Teen pageant, Bree LeFavor won the “Spirit of Miss Cape Cod's Teen” scholarship and an award for best interview.

“Miss” titles from pageants only last for one year, said Bree LeFavor, but she hopes to compete in Miss Teen Massachusetts in June.

“[All my friends] want to go to Miss Massachusetts now,” she said.