Miss America 2017 Crowned

For the first time in 97 years, a contestant from North Dakota was announced as Miss America. Cara Mund, 23-years-old took the crown last night for the annual competition after excelling in the categorical stages.

51 total women were judged by their talent, evening wear, lifestyle and fitness (swimsuit), and an answer to one question. Not only did Mund look gorgeous and fashionable during the evening gown and swim suit portion, but she also put on an impressive jazz number as her talent. For her performance, she wore a fedora and tuxedo-esque jacket.

Mund was asked an extremely difficult question regarding Donald Trump’s stance on climate change. She wasn’t afraid of exposing her opinion and maintained composure despite the difficulty of the question. Judge Maria Menounos specifically asked Mund what her thoughts were regarding Trump’s decision to withdraw from climate accord.

“I do believe it’s a bad decision. Once we reject that, we take ourselves out of the negotiation table and that’s something that we really need to keep in mind,” she said confidently. There is evidence that climate change is existing so whether you believe it or not, we need to be at that table, and I just think it’s a bad decision on behalf of the United States.”

Mund has raised over $78,500 dollars for the Make-a-Wish foundation since she was 14-years-old. She also graduated from Brown University and has plans to go to law school at the University of Notre Dame after touring the United States for a year as Miss America. She aspires to be the first elected female governor of North Dakota, and is well on her way.

The top 5 contestants behind Mund are as follows: first runner-up, Miss Missouri, second runner-up, Miss New Jersey, third runner-up, Miss District of Columbia, and fourth runner-up, Miss Texas.