Miss America has been the symbol of intelligence, beauty and grace since 1921.

For 96 years the Miss America competition has given young women the opportunity to represent the country using their platform to educate. Additionally, the Miss America organization provides scholarships allowing these ladies to further their education.

In the early days, Miss America was known primarily as a beauty pageant. The contestants were judged on how they looked in swimsuits and evening gowns. Although these are still part of the competition, it’s not the focus in awarding the Miss America title.

The young women who have participated in the Miss America competition come from different backgrounds and have faced their own personal challenges such as being hearing impaired.

This year, the young woman crowned as Miss America could be gay or diabetic.

Miss America has come a long way since those early beauty pageant days but the message remains the same: Miss America is a role model for women everywhere.

Watched Miss America 2017 on ABC at 9/8c.

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