Local faces that made national headlines in 2012

Here is a look at local faces that captured national and international attention in 2012.

Rhode Island native and Boston University student Olivia Culpo, who was formerly Miss USA, was crowned Miss Universe 2012 on Dec. 19.

Aly Raisman

Needham native Aly Raisman attracted international attention when she won the gold medal at the 2012 summer Olympics. Raisman rode in a parade in her honor in a yellow Lamborghini as she was welcomed home to Needham by local residents.

Related: Needham cheers on home-grown Olympian

Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney became the Republican presidential nominee, but lost the elections.

Romney and President Obama sparred during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

Related: Life in Mitt Romney’s town of Belmont

Glen Doherty

Glen Doherty, 42, a Winchester native who was a former Navy SEAL, was one of four Americans killed during an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11.

Elizabeth Warren

Harvard University law professor Elizabeth Warren was elected as first female US senator in Massachusetts history.

Louis CK

Comedian and Newton native Louis CK had a stellar year, winning two Emmy Awards for outstanding writing for a variety special for “Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre” and outstanding writing in a comedy series for his show “Louie.’’ He also scored a Golden Globe nomination for “Louie.’’

John Kerry

Rumors have circulated that Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, may be the top pick for secretary of state during President Obama’s second term.

Bobby Valentine

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was fired after only one year with the team. Valentine fell into hot water with many team members as well as the coaching staff that turned very public before his departure.

Annie Dookhan

Former state lab chemist Annie Dookhan was accused of faking drug results, forging signatures, and mixing samples. State Police say Dookhan tested more than 60,000 drug samples involving 34,000 defendants during her nine years at Hinton State Laboratory Institute in Boston. Her alleged evidence tampering led to hundreds of cases being retried and some cases to be overturned.

Ted

Dorchester native Mark Wahlberg starred in the box office hit movie “Ted’’ which stunned Hollywood by taking in $54.1 million in its opening weekend. The film debuted at number one and broke “The Hangover’’ box office record for the biggest R-rated opening in the nation.

Tom and Ray Magliozzi

In early 2012, the Magliozzi brothers announced plans to stop producing new “Car Talk’’ programs, in part because Tom Magliozzi’s (left) 75th birthday was approaching. Produced at Boston’s WBUR-FM, “Car Talk’’ debuted in 1977, and there are more than 1,200 episodes in its archives. The show combined practical advice about cars and car and maintenance with social commentary and the Magliozzis’ brand of humor.

Who do you think made the most impact in 2012?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style=”width:600px”><script type=”text/javascript” charset=”utf-8″ src=”http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6781367.js”></script> <noscript><a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/6781367/”></a></noscript></div>