LEXINGTON — Miss Jeffersontown, Monica Hardin, was crowned Miss Kentucky Saturday night.

        Miss Hardin, 20, was chosen from 31 contestants and will represent Kentucky in the Miss America Pageant in October. She won a $12,000 scholarship with her state title.

        Miss Hardin, of Louisville, is a student at the University of Louisville. The daughter of William and Mona Hardin sang “Believe in Yourself” from the Broadway play The Wiz and chose the National Youth Network as her platform.

        The first runner-up was Miss Peace Belle, Beth Sweeney, who received a $5,000 scholarship. Second runner-up was Miss Richmond, MacKenzie Mayes, who received a $3,500 scholarship.

        Third runner-up was Miss Campbellsville Area, Maria Maldonado, who was awarded a $2,500 scholarship, and fourth runner-up was Miss Metropolitan, Meagan Elizabeth Kozlesky, who received a $2,000 scholarship.

        Miss Capital City, Amy Parker, won the Miss America Community Service Award and Miss Heart of the South, Amber Renee Jones, won the Miss Kentucky Academic Scholarship.

        Non-finalist talent awards went to Miss Parker; Miss Heart of Kentucky, Stephanie Treap; and Miss Lexington, Courtney Jones.

        The show featured performances by Miss Kentucky 2000 Whitney Boyles, 4th runner-up to Miss America, as well as former Miss Kentucky Chera-Lyn Cook-Kennedy and John Russell, a Lexington performer.

        Sam Dick and Barbara Bailey of WKYT-TV co-hosted the ceremonies along with Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry. The event was held in Haggin Auditorium at Transylvania University.

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