CHICAGO— Prevent Blindness America (PBA) announced the winner of its “Most Beautiful Eyes Contest,” a public photo competition that took place on the association’s Facebook page for children aged 17 and under earlier this year. The grand prize winner, announced on Friday, Nov. 8, is Meikayla Mixon, age 12, of Arizona.

Mixon’s award includes a $10,000 educational scholarship provided by Marchon Eyewear, which she was presented at the Prevent Blindness America Annual Awards Banquet on Nov. 7, 2013 at the Conrad Hotel in Chicago. Mixon, who was joined by her family, was selected as the grand prize winner by celebrity judges Larry King of ORA TV, Curt Menefee of “Fox NFL Sunday,” legendary performer Barbara Eden and author and journalist, Beth Kobliner Shaw.

Mixon was selected from the contest’s state winners who were announced in September, as reported by VMail.

“Our family has long had a passion for helping those with vision issues. In fact, we heard about the Contest through our work with Guide Dogs of the Desert,” said Lorie Crabtree, Mixon’s mother. “We’re glad to have been able to help raise awareness about the importance of healthy vision, especially for kids. And we are thrilled about receiving the scholarship for Meikayla.”

According to PBA president and CEO, Hugh R. Parry, this year’s Most Beautiful Eyes Contest generated close to 50,000 votes on Facebook and helped PBA’s efforts to educate the public on the gift of healthy vision. The Contest has marked its third consecutive year.

Additional sponsors of the contest included Real Kids Shades (RKS), Eagle Eyes Optics and Walters Golf.