Illinois' candidate for Miss United States is on a mission to help high school students understand finances.

23-year old Aaliyah Kissick of Athens is bringing her passion of financial literacy to the forefront while she completes her bachelor's degree in agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and while being a contestant in Miss United States in October.

Kissick started her own brick-and-mortar business in Springfield at the age of 17, which she now runs solely online in between studying, competition, as well as serving as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

Kissick, who wants to become a financial planner, is lobbying the Illinois General Assembly to make financial literacy a cornerstone of high school education.

Kissick said she had to learn everything about finances on her own back when she started her business. She hopes to provide help to small families and small businesses, or even kids with a dream of their own to get started on their path.

Kissick will compete on Oct. 19-20 in Memphis, Tenn., for the national title of Miss United States.