Sophia Steinbeisser, a 2002 Sidney High School graduate, was crowned Miss Montana at the Dawson High School auditorium Saturday night.

She is currently a senior at the University of Nebraska, but will put her studies on hold to serve as Miss Montana. Duties include competing in the Miss America Pageant, and speaking to young students across the state in the "Crown to the Classroom" speaking tour.

Lelani Nesper, one of the Miss Montana Pageant's five judges, told the Herald, "She was extremely prepared and researched what the job of Miss Montana really is. She proved she can handled the job, and she proved she was committed to handle the responsibilities."

Meredith McCannel, Billings, was first runner-up. Kristen Mantooth , Lewistown, was second runner-up, and Olivia Shjeflo, Kalispell, was third runner-up. There were 19 contestants in the pageant, which was held Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Glendive.

"It was fabulous," Nesper said of the pageant. She was Miss Northeastern Montana in 1983 and now lives in Tacoma, Wash. "It was an honor to be a judge because it's such a whole responsibility."

Steinbeisser, 21, has entered three pageants before - one Miss Outstanding Teen Pageant and two Miss Teen Montana USA pageants. Each time, she has earned first runner-up honors.

"I think Miss Montana is a really unique opportunity for someone my age to give back to the community," Steinbeisser told the Herald prior to the pageant. "The longer I'm away from Montana, the more I appreciate Montana."