A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University has won this year’s Miss Missouri Pageant.

24-year-old Lacey Fitzgerald of Richmond, Miss Gateway to the West, was crowned Saturday night at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico. Fitzgerald is no stranger to the pageant, but had never gotten close to winning the crown before. She has competed in the pageant for the past five year. Fitzgerald had never been chosen for the top ten before.

Fitzgerald will represent Missouri in the Miss America pageant later this year in Las Vegas. The first runner-up was Miss Tri-Counties Kari Gai, the second runner-up was Miss Mid-Missouri Abigail Grimmett, the third runner-up was Miss Spirit of St. Louis Katie Smart and the fourth runner-up was Miss Gateway St. Louis Tara Osseck. All receive scholarships from the pageant.

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