WOLCOTT, Conn. -- A teen beauty queen is accused of hosting a party that resulted in 24 minors being charged with underage drinking.

Wolcott police said 24 teens were charged with underage drinking at a weekend party at the home of 17-year-old Rachael Ramonas, Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen.

Ramonas received a $2,000 scholarship when she won the title at a pageant last summer. The Miss Oustanding Teen pageant is part of the Miss America organization.

Stament Made By Ramonas' Parents

"It's really indescribable, I had so much fun that week, it was the best week of my life," she said after winning the pageant. "I am so proud of myself."

Police said Ramonas' parents were out of the state when police arrived to break up the party. They returned the next day, Wolcott police Capt. Domenic Angiolillo said.

"It's just a judgment call, a poor judgment call," Ramonas' mother, Denise Ramonas said. "This is what happens."

Denise Ramonas said the party is out of character for her daughter, who has done a lot of work promoting awareness of eating disorders and helped raise money for relatives of a fatal crash involving three teens in town a little over a year ago.

"Rachel's, she's a great kid," Denise Ramonas said. "She's smart, intelligent and she's beautiful. She's done a lot of community services, she's great, she's just a great kid."

Police said officers found items commonly used for the drinking game beer pong, which involves tossing a ping pong ball into cups of beer.

"Some beer and there was some rum, and you know, a lot of cups," said Angiolillo. "You know, some of them were filled, some of them were half-filled, some of them were empty."

Because those charged at the party are juveniles, police have not released any names. It was unclear whether Ramonas was among those charged. Her parents said she did not consume any alcohol at the party.

Her parents said their daughter invited several friends and family members to the home and that the party then escalated.

The head of the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Corp. said the matter is being reviewed.

"This is a very sad day for us today," said Gail McCool, spokeswoman for the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Program.

The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, with which Ramonas has been working with since winning her title, said it will stand behind her if she puts out the right message about what she did and changes her behavior.

All of the teens who were caught at the house party were charged with an infraction, which carries a $136 fine. The teens, mostly students at Wolcott High School, may also face disciplinary action at school.