Morley woman wins National Miss 2015

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Scott County woman was crowned Princess America Pageants' National Miss 2015 last weekend in Orlando, Florida.

Aria Parker, 19, of Morley, Missouri, and three other young women competed in Princess America Pageants' 2015 week-long national event which crowned a National Miss, National Teen, National Junior Teen and National Ms. 2015.

The contestants from across the country met to compete for cash, prizes, scholarships and awards.

National Miss contestants must be 19 to 28 years old. Phases of competition, each worth 25 percent of the total score, were physical fitness, personal expression, private interview and evening wear.

Parker raised all the money by herself to pay for her pageant entry and expenses.

"I went to local businesses and got donations," Parker said. "I believe if it's my dream, then I should be the one changing it and shouldn't have to have my parents pay for it."