Samantha Jo Boot didn’t do pageants before entering the National American Miss Minnesota Pageant, but that didn’t stop her from becoming a state finalist.

The 15-year-old Austin resident will strive for the crown at the pageant July 28 and 29 at the Double Tree Hotel in Bloomington.

“She is totally thrilled,” said her mother, Onawa Maas.

Maas said Boot, who attends Lyle High School, is in her first pageant and will go to the National American Miss pageant training later this month. The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, an official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses, and air transportation to compete in the National Pageant in California.