Patrick Prather / The Miss Universe OrganizationLadies and gentlemen, meet your new Miss Teen USA!
Out of 51 beautiful contestants, Miss Missouri Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff wowed the judges like nobody else with her brains, talent and beauty Saturday night at the annual beauty pageant.
There were plenty of reasons to celebrate in the final moments of the telecast streamed live online, as Sophia and all the finalists went through quite a weekend before a winner was crowned. In fact, Miss Missouri's toughest task may have come during the Q&A portion.
During her impressive question and answer segment, the 17-year-old explained that during her Girl Scouts project she lobbied the Missouri legislature to pass a law to help adults with developmental disabilities.
Sophia is a Kansas City native, who is slated to attend the University of Kansas.
The pageant, which was hosted by Heidi Powell and E! News' Erin Lim, started off with 51 young ladies ages 14-19 competing from all 50 states, including the District of Colombia. However, in tonight's ceremony—which took place at the Phoenix Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Ariz.—only the top fifteen went on to compete in the athletic wear category as well as evening gown.
After that, the group was paired down to a mere five. Then, the top five contestants, Miss Oregon Vanessa Matheson, Miss Nevada Alexis Smith, Miss California Jaanu Patel, Miss Indiana Paige Robinson and Miss Missouri joined on-stage for the final interview questions.
Finally, last year's winner Karlie Hay handed over the crown during the popular competition.
Check out the 51 young women who were vying for the top honor...
Claire Scott competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Claire Scott competes onstage in an evening gown.
Tana Bartels competes onstage in an evening gown.
Karlina Riggs competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Karlina Riggs competes onstage in an evening gown.
Allison Tucker competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Allison Tucker competes onstage in an evening gown.
Jaanu Patel competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Jaanu Patel competes onstage in an evening gown.
Alexis Glover competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Alexis Glover competes onstage in an evening gown.
Lana Coffey competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Lana Coffey competes onstage in an evening gown.
Grace Lange competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Grace Lange competes onstage in an evening gown.
Karis Felton competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Karis Felton competes onstage in an evening gown.
Victoria DiSorbo competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Victoria DiSorbo competes onstage in an evening gown.
Taylor Ward competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Taylor Ward competes onstage in an evening gown.
Lauren Teruya competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Lauren Teruya competes onstage in an evening gown.
Gabriella Simpson competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Gabriella Simpson competes onstage in an evening gown.
Olivia Bohleber competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Olivia Bohleber competes onstage in an evening gown.
Paige Robinson competes onstage in athletic wear by Yandy.
Paige Robinson competes onstage in an evening gown.
In addition to winning Miss Teen USA pageant, the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship and a $5,000 cash reward.