Louisville's Katie George crowned Miss Kentucky
Katie George from Louisville was crowned the Miss Kentucky USA 2015 Sunday night.
Seventeen contestants from several Kentucky counties competed in the 2015 Miss Kentucky USA Pageant at the Ursuline Arts Center on Sunday. Thirteen young women competed in the teen division.
Bowling Green's Caroline Ford was crowned the Miss Kentucky Teen USA.
George, who is a University of Louisville Volleyball team member, was competing in her first pageant.
NEW | Katie George talks candidly about the experience
"I can't tell you what just happened to me. I've never been in a pageant before and I've never worn a crown, but this is a pretty amazing feeling," she said. "So I am excited to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky."
Following the preliminary competition on Saturday, which included a private interview with the judges, Sunday's program consisted of a swimwear and evening-gown division, and an on-stage question in front of a live audience of about 250.
Claire Butler, who holds crowns from other pageants, was among those in the audience. "I'm nervous and excited for my friends on stage. I wish everyone could win," she said.
Last year's Miss Kentucky, Destin Kincer from Whitesburg and Maria Montgomery who won the title in 2009, crowned the new winner. George will go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant. The winner of Miss USA goes on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant, a joint venture of Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal.
