North Huntingdon's Piekut wins international title

A North Huntingdon woman has added another crown to her collection of headgear — the title of International Junior Miss Teen.

Victoria Piekut, 19, who won the National American Miss Pennsylvania Teen title last summer, was crowned the 2015 International Junior Miss Teen on July 25 in Virginia Beach, Va.

The international pageant included competitors from all 50 states, as well as Canada, Australia, Great Britain and the Bahamas.

Piekut's prize package includes a cash scholarship; international travel; a cruise and custom jewelry, clothing and luggage.

Piekut also won the talent competition and the “fun fashion gown” award, which were optional competitions that aren't required to compete for the overall title.

Those victories garnered two additional cash scholarships for Piekut.

“This was my first time competing in the International Junior Miss pageant system, so I never imagined that I would take home the International Teen title,” Piekut said. “I'm so incredibly thankful for this opportunity to travel the world and represent International Junior Miss.”

A 2014 Norwin graduate, Piekut is studying business administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. She previously studied opera at Duquesne University's City Music Center.