One of Elkhart’s shining stars is set for the national stage next week.

Mekayla Eppers is competing in the Mrs. America pageant this year. She’s a former Miss Indiana USA in 2014, but now she’s competing in the competition that honors married women in America.

Eppers tells ABC 57 hopes to use the stage to accomplish a goal that’s dear to her heart.

“I’m hoping to be able to create a non-profit organization to provide scholarships for local kids that are in foster care,” Eppers told ABC 57. “I was in foster care for a short stint, and I want to help provide a future for someone who has dreams like I did, no matter what their past looks like.”

The Misses America pageant takes place a week from Saturday, August 26. To learn more about Mekayla and follow her journey to the Mrs. America crown, check out her Facebookand Twitter pages.