Original article from Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY
"Tonight one young lady's life is going to change forever," said Miss America 2014 Nina Avuluri.
And so it went on Sunday night as Miss America 2015 was crowned in Atlantic City.
GALLERY: The Miss America 2015 contestants
Here are the highlights of the night as it unfolded:
The Judges:
Kathy Ireland, who was barefoot in the green room before the show
NFL star and Dancing With the Stars alum Donald Driver
Olympic gymnast and DWTS alum Shawn Johnson
Desperate Housewives creator/writer Marc Cherry
Army general Anne Macdonald
Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk
First Miss America to be crowned on live TV Lee Meriwether
Olympic gymnast and DWTS alum Shawn Johnson
Desperate Housewives creator/writer Marc Cherry
Army general Anne Macdonald
Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk
First Miss America to be crowned on live TV Lee Meriwether
The 15 semifinalists:
Miss Idaho Sierra Sanderson won the America's Choice vote to become a finalist. Sanderson made national headlines by winning her state pageant in July wearing her insulin pump with her pink bikini during the swimsuit portion of the competition. She became a champion in the diabetes community.
Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn who is two years away from being a dentist
Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray , who made it to the Top 13 on Season 8 of American Idol
Miss Texas Monique Evans , who is focusing on health care
Miss Tennessee Hayley Lewis plans to make sure to take in "every single aspect of this experience"
Miss Kentucky Rasmey Carpenter, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010
Miss Alabama Caitlin Brunell , whose dad, Mark Brunell , is an NFL pro
Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart loves that dummy on her lap (she's a ventriloquist)
Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett wants to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities because her brother has cerebral palsy
Miss Florida Victoria Cowen wants girls to be careful about what they post and share on social media
Miss Connecticut Acacia Courtney doesn't "ever want to feel like I've peaked"
Miss New York Kira Kazantsev, who was once in an abusive relationship
Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell, who crew up in a town of about 75 people
Miss Iowa Aly Olson lovesGame of Thrones
Miss Oklahoma Alex Eppler says she's a nerd
Miss Kentucky Rasmey Carpenter, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010
Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart loves that dummy on her lap (she's a ventriloquist)
Miss Florida Victoria Cowen wants girls to be careful about what they post and share on social media
Miss Connecticut Acacia Courtney doesn't "ever want to feel like I've peaked"
Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell, who crew up in a town of about 75 people
Miss Iowa Aly Olson loves
Miss Oklahoma Alex Eppler says she's a nerd
No. 16: Miss North Dakota Jacky Arness, voted in by the judges as a wildcard extra
A Weird Kathy Ireland Moment
Co-host Lara Spencer asked Kathy Ireland what she was looking for during the swimsuit portion:
"I'm looking for someone who can captivate, someone who can connect with America and get great results. These women have a servant's heart and she's got a huge responsibility ahead of herself. She's got to communicate in everything she does. I'm looking in the eyes."
Huh?
Oops! Miss Nebraska flashed everyone
Co-host Chris Harrison was yakking about how the judges will be looking at "personal style" during the evening gown portion when he stopped and right behind him, Miss Nebraska Megan Swanson has her legs open and she leaned over to the contestant next to her to say something, flashing the Atlantic City audience and, yes, all of us at home. Twitter caught it. We re-wound our DVR to take a closer look. Yes, it happened.
The Talent
There were singers, dancers and a pianist. But the ventriloquist and the cups-singing were the most memorable of them all.
Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart did a ventriloquist act. Miss New York sat on the stage and played a cup while singing Happy.
The Questions
Miss Arkansas was asked by Shawn Johnson about whether there should be limits on use of guns by children. "I do think there need to be restrictions."
Miss Florida was asked by Kathy Ireland about Ray Rice's wife's decision to stand by him. "I know that's a very hard decision. But me personally? I don't agree with it. … I don't necessarily believe he deserves a second chance."
Miss New York was by Lee Meriwether about women leaders in the Senate and what they should be taking a lead on. "I really believe that sexual assault in our military is an issue these women have got to fight for …"
Miss Virginia was asked by Anne Macdonald about the ISIS beheadings. "This is an absolute outrage… I feel it's important for the U.N. to come together to decide."
Miss Massachusetts was asked by Marc Cherry about sexual assault on college campuses. "This is something I have personal experience. My best friend's roommate was raped… We need to talk about this in schools."
And finally, the crowning
4th runner up: Miss Massachusetts
3rd runner up: Miss Florida
2nd runner up: Miss Arkansas
Runner up: Miss Virginia
Miss America 2015: Miss New York Kira Kazantsev wins, making it the third row in a year for New York to take the crown.
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