University of Iowa sophomore Jessica Pray was crowned Miss Iowa 2011 on June 11 in Davenport, according to press release from the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program.

The 18-year-old replaced Pauli Mayfield, Miss Iowa 2010.

A native of Johnston, Iowa, Pray formerly served as Miss Muscatine. She is a double major in vocal performance and theater at the UI.

Pray’s crowning was part of the 63rd anniversary of the Miss Iowa program, which is an official preliminary to Miss America.

According to the release, she will travel to Las Vegas in January 2012, where she will represent Iowa in the Miss America pageant.

Francesca Lubecki-Wilde of Iowa City was also crowned Saturday, taking home Miss Iowa’s Outstanding Teen.

— by Ariana Witt