Sara Stehlik of Columbia placed third in the Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen competition over the weekend.

Stehlik, who captured the title of Miss Southern Sweetheart Outstanding Teen in November, participated in the pageant in the areas of fitness, evening gown, talent and on-stage question.

She won the preliminary talent award earlier in the weekend with her vocal performance of “Reflection.”

Sara said she made some great friends during the competition and loved meeting all the other contestants.

“It’s a really big honor just because there are so many girls who represent their local towns and local pageants so well,” she said.

Sara said most of the other girls were older and closer to the other end of the 13-17 age bracket for the competition.

“She was the youngest contestant that made it into the top 10,” her mom, Kelli, said. “I was just thrilled for her.”