Miss America 2015 has come to its conclusion, and the crown went to Miss New York Kira Kazantsev. Aside from being hailed as the winner in the 94th Miss America competition, the 22-year old graduate of Hofstra University also bagged a scholarship worth $50,000, and she will take on the role of official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a charity organization that "raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across North America."
Aside from representing the non-profit organization, Kazantsev will also travel across the country to talk about "Love Shouldn't Hurt: Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence," the platform or cause she had chosen to support when she joined the contest.
The following contestants were likewise honored with the other top spots in the competition:
First runner-up:
- 21-year old Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett. Her platform is "Defying Disabilities," and she won a scholarship worth $25,000.
Second runner-up:
- 20-year old Miss Arkansas Ashton Jo Campbell. Her platform is "Aim Higher: Setting Our Sights on Higher Education," and she took home $20,000 in scholarship.
ABC's America's Choice:
- 20-year old Miss Idaho Sierra Sandison. Her platform is "Possibilities for Disabilities."
Judges' Choice Award:
- 21-year old Miss North Dakota Jacky Arness. Her platform is "Empowerment 'VIA': Values, Image, Actions"
Miss Congeniality Award:
- Also went to Miss North Dakota Jacky Arness
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Scholarship:
- Miss New Mexico Jessica Burson
- Miss Vermont Lucy Edwards
- Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart
- Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn
- Miss Georgia Maggie Bridges
The pageant was held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, deemed as the birthplace of the competition, and it was hosted by Lara Spencer and Chris Harrison.
