of Lawson was crowned 2023 Miss Ray County and received a $2,100 scholarship during the week of the Ray County Fair, the pageant held recently at Farris Theater. Maddie Prom of Richmond won People’s Choice and received a $1,000 scholarship, while Alexis Reeves of Lawson won Miss Congeniality and a $400 scholarship. Alyssa Manning and Katelyn Smith of Richmond also won $400 scholarships. The college scholarship opportunity is exclusively for young women of Ray County. Contestants must be enrolled in college or trade school for the fall semester to participate. Contestants competed in four categories – interview, active wear, talent and evening wear. Scholarships were awarded to the top three placing girls and were sent directly to the winners’ schools. Scholarship money was collected through donations from local businesses and organizations, as well as through admission and raffle money collected the evening of the pageant.