Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was crowned the new Miss America late Sunday, the third straight victory for the Empire State in the national beauty pageant.
Outgoing Miss America Nina Davuluri, also from New York, presented the crown to Kazantsev after the competition at Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall.
Kazantsev, 22, named protecting women against domestic violence as her platform, and said she aims to obtain a juris doctorate and a master’s degree in business administration.
An honor student, she’s aiming for a master’s degree in business administration and a law degree.
The crowning kicks off a yearlong national speaking tour and appearances as a national goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
And her Miss America title comes with a $50,000 scholarship to continue her education.
For the talent portion of the competition, Kazantsev performed a version of the Pharrell Williams song “Happy” in which she sat cross-legged on stage and used a red plastic cup and the palms of her hands to sound the rhythm.
The first runner-up was Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett.
The other top five finalists were Miss Arkansas Ashton Jo Campbell, Miss Florida Victoria Cowen and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn.
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