NATCHEZ — Gena Britton Hinson’s heritage carries almost 80 years of Natchez Garden Club involvement, and this year the Trinity graduate is carrying on the tradition by serving as the 2011 NGC Queen.

“I was in shock first of all, then I was super-excited,” Hinson said. “I have been in pageant since the age of 3. I always wanted to be queen.”

Hinson’s grandmother was an early member of the Natchez Garden Club. Three generations of Hinson’s family have held places in the NGC royal court.

“My mother, three aunts and my first cousin followed in her footsteps,” Hinson said.

Hinson’s cousin, Paige Carlton Carter, served as the 2000 NGC Queen. “I am excited about representing Natchez, the Natchez Garden Club and my family. I would definitely want my own kids to be a part someday and pass it down to them.”

Hinson has participated in little maypole, big maypole, and polka tableaux and was a placard bearer and bridesmaid in the wedding and was part of the 2010 royal court.

Her siblings have also been involved in numerous tableaux. Her brother, William Taylor Hinson, is serving as a general on the 2011 court.

Hinson said she is looking forward to the reign.

“It’s something I will be able to remember forever,” she said. “I am especially looking forward to enjoying the queen’s luncheons in the Queens Room at the Carriage House.”

The 21-year-old attends Copiah-Lincoln’s Wesson campus where she studies radiography. She is currently undergoing X-ray clinicals at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

“I plan to specialize in CT or radiation therapy,” Hinson said. “I want to be able to diagnose people, find out why they’re in pain and be able to help.”

Hinson graduated from Trinity in 2008. In high school, Hinson was on the soccer team, was football manager and played softball. She also served as honor maid on the homecoming court.

After graduation from Trinity, Hinson attended Jones County College in Ellisville where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Hinson and her family attend Parkway Baptist Church. In her leisure time, Hinson enjoys shopping, traveling, watching LSU football and spending time with her family and friends.

“I go to Baton Rogue for games and to the beach every summer,” Hinson said.

Hinson is the daughter of Jeannie Ballew Dickey and Bill Hinson. She is the granddaughter of Ann Lum Ballew and the late Eugene Ballew, and Edgar and Fae Hinson, all of Natchez.

Hinson will wear her cousin’s gown, made by Carter’s grandmother, the late Beth Carlton. Carter and Hinson’s aunt, Ann Carlton, designed the dress. The dress and train are made of ivory bridal satin. The bodice of the dress is covered with re-embroidered lace, encrusted with sequins and pearls. The edge of the skirt is trimmed with a wide row of the same re-embroidered lace. The overskirt consists of three scallops and is edged in beaded lace. At the point of the scalloped overskirt are satin roses edged in iridescent pearls made by Britton’s aunt, Susan Cummins.

Sandra Stokes made the 12-foot train. It is fashioned with three scallops to match the overskirt of the dress. The entire edge of the train is bordered with beaded lace. It has rows of re-embroidered lace across the train, each in a scallop pattern. At the point of each scallop are the same satin roses as on the dress.

The crown and scepter were gifts from her family.

Hinson will wear ivory gloves and slippers, and complete her ensemble with pearl earrings and a necklace from her aunt and grandmother.

Hinson, with the NGC King Wyatt Craig, will begin their reign Saturday.