Audrey Langworthy of Auxvasse was crowned Miss Branson 2015 on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Miss Springfield/Miss Branson Pageant was a preliminary competition for the Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant. Langworthy will compete for the Miss Missouri title in June in Mexico, Missouri.
While participating in the pageant, Langworthy said she hopes to encourage more communication with the elderly.
"Elderly are part of society, but they are outsiders looking in," Langworthy said.
Langworthy volunteers at nursing homes, where she talks to the residents and plays cards with them. She said happiness in contagious and it's important to keep conversations positive.
When she was younger, Langworthy volunteered at nursing homes with various organizations she was involved with. Over the past year, she has volunteered on her own rather than with an organization.
"I saw it as a need," Langworthy said.
She wants to encourage others to volunteer as well. During her time in the competition, Langworthy wants to especially encourage today's youth to step up to help the elderly.
"I think we forget to give back," Langworthy said. "Also, (I hope) to teach the younger generation that we need to take care of the elderly."
The Miss Springfield/Miss Branson Pageant had the following components:
•An interview (25 percent);
•Talent (35 percent);
•Swimsuit (15 percent);
•Evening Gown (20 percent) and
•On stage question (5 percent).
Also, as part of the Miss America program, Langworthy has two little sisters through the little sisters program.
Langworthy will compete for Miss Missouri in June. Miss Missouri will go on to compete for Miss America in New Jersey in September 2015.
Langworthy will prep for the June competition by partaking in mock interviews and learning a new jazz dance.
"I can't wait to see what this journey has in store for me," she said.
Langworthy graduated from North Callaway in May. She attends Moberly Area Community College and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in diagnostic medical ultrasound.
She has held other pageant titles in the past, including Jr. Miss Callaway County in 2008 and 2010, 4-H Fair Queen 2012, Miss Callaway County 2013 and National Miss Princess of America 2013-14.