Miss Southern Heartland competition winners

SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. (WTHI) - Beauty, Brains and Talent were judged tonight on the St. Mary of the Woods College campus.

Saturday evening, a group of 18 young ladies competed in the Miss Southern Heartland, and Outstanding Teen Scholarship Competitions.

The competition is new to Terre Haute this year and provides scholarship opportunities for young women.

“This Miss American Organization is the largest scholarship provider for women, providing over $45 million every year. So, there are a lot of incentives for women who are competing in this program,” said one of the Miss Southern Heartland judges. “The parents get to come along for the ride and cheer for their young woman.”

Lauren Mnayarji was named Miss Southern Heartland. She’s a Terre Haute Native and attends Indiana University.

Mnayaji will now have a chance to compete at the Miss Indiana Scholarship competition with the hopes of competing at the Miss America Competition in Las Vegas.