Even since before I was a judge for Miss Texas USA a few years ago in Laredo, I have always loved how well Miss Texas does in both the Miss USA and the Miss America competition.

Miss Park Cities, Monique Evans, was crowned Miss Texas 2014 Saturday night, July 5,2014, at the 79th Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant by Miss Texas 2013, Ivana Hall at the Eisemann Center in Richardson. Miss Dallas' Outstanding Teen, Kassidy Brown, was also crowned the 2014 Texas Outstanding Teen, Sheridan Donevant, 2013 Texas Outstanding Teen.

Produced by the Miss Texas Organization, we all know that the Miss Texas competition exists for the purpose of providing personal and professional opportunities for young Texas women and promoting their voice in culture, politics and community. The competition was founded in 1936 by a group of civic-minded citizens concerned about higher education. The first Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant has evolved into what is recognized today as one of the best organized and well managed of all state pageants (see www.misstexas.org).

The contestants competed in the following categories: private interview, lifestyle and fitness, talent, evening gown and onstage question. Miss Texas 2014 will compete for Miss America held in Atlantic City in September that will be broadcast on ABC. Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen 2014 will compete for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen in August in Orlando, Florida.

The Miss America Organization is the largest donor of scholarship assistance for young women, awarding over $45 million annually. Miss Texas 2014 will receive a $10,000 cash scholarship and the use of an Infiniti from Grubbs Infiniti during her reign. In addition to competing for scholarships, each contestant actively participates in raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network, which is the national platform of Miss America.

For more information, visit www.misstexas.org.