13 -year-old Sophia Hadeka of Fair Haven walked the runway as the seventh Miss Vermont's  Outstanding Teen on Saturday night in the Performing Arts Center at South Burlington High School in South Burlington, VT. This historic crowning moment marked her first steps on a journey that will take her across the state promoting scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, community involvement and healthy living for our nation's youth.  Hadeka, who just turned 13 in May, is the youngest Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen in the history of the competition.

After receiving her new title, Hadeka shared, "I am honored to begin my year of service as the new Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen.  I want to reach out to Vermonters on a personal level to share my enthusiasm and excitement about my platform: encouraging young girls to find who they are.."

Hadeka  receives $4,250 in scholarships, over $7,000 in prizes, and the opportunity to compete for the Miss America's Outstanding Teen title in Orlando, Florida on August 20, 2011.

The Fair Haven Grade School student is active in chorus, spelling bee, softball, basketball, soccer and dance.  She plans to attend Duke University and pursue a career in law.  Hadeka says she hopes to one day become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Susan J. Lackey, president of the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization, commented on the new Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen. “We are pleased to begin working with Sophia. She possesses so many wonderful qualities: leadership, intelligence, maturity, poise, and grace."

A number of other contestants received scholarship awards during the final and preliminary competitions, including:

First Runner-Up -      Jenny Rehkugler of Charlotte
Second Runner-Up -  Jhai Sutton of St. Albans
Third Runner-Up - Caroline Jones of Shelburne
Miss Vermont Outstanding Teen Spirit Award - Courtney Billings of Colchester
Children's Miracle Network Teen Miracle Maker Award - Sophia Hadeka of Fair Haven