Tap-dancing woman from Brooklyn, 23, is crowned Miss America after speaking out against armed guards in schools
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A 23-year-old woman from Brooklyn, New York, has won the title of Miss America - beating out 13,000 other contestants including the pageant’s first autistic contestant and a woman with Tourettes.
Mallory Hagan won the beauty pageant on Saturday night after tap dancing to James Brown's 'Get Up Off of That Thing' in Las Vegas and answering a question about whether armed guards belong in grade schools by saying the nation should not fight violence with violence.
Hagan defeated Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who took second, and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who finished third.
'Sandy may have swept away our shores, but never our spirit. I’m Miss New York, Mallory Hagan,' she declared as she introduced herself to the nation on Saturday night.
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Newly crowned: Miss New York, Mallory Hytes Hagan, is crowned Miss America 2013 by Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler on Saturday in Las Vegas
Winner: Miss Hagan, 23, won after tap dancing to James Brown's 'Get Up Off of That Thing' and speaking out against armed guards placed in public schools
All eyes: Miss New York waves to her adoring audience in Las Vegas after her crowning
Winner: While Miss New York ultimately crushed her competition for the crown she also earned the highest scores in the swim suit contest while strutting in this black two-piece
Strutting her stuff: Miss Hagan was fearless as she modeled a black two-piece swimsuit on national television
Swarmed by hugs and smiles from the evening’s 52 other contestants, Miss Hagan balanced an armful of long-stemmed roses below her dazzling silver crown, one she will keep for one year while additionally awarded with a $50,000 college scholarship.
The former Fashion Institute of Technology student, whose platform was stopping child sexual abuse, hopes to use her scholarship money to obtain a degree in cosmetics and fragrance marketing according to her bio.
But first she is expected to spend her title reign on a nationwide speaking tour and raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, the organization's official charity.
Hagan defeated several other notable competitors who grabbed headlines this year because of their backstories.
VIDEO Mallory is crowned Miss America in Las Vegas
Slimmed down: On the stage were 53 contestants, cut down from an original 13,000 others
Final decision: Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, left, and Miss New York, Mallory Hytes Hagan, right, were the last two contestants in the last seconds of the emotional, fanfare pageant
Overjoyed: The Brooklyn native reacts to her win, entirely beside herself
Swarmed: Miss Georgia Leighton Jordan, center, congratulates Miss New York among a swam of other contestants including Miss District of Columbia, left
Miss District of Columbia, a close runner up on Saturday, plans to undergo a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer, which killed her mother and grandmother.
Miss Montana, 18-year-old Alexis Wineman, was the pageant's first autistic contestant who advanced to the semi-finals by America's choice vote.
'The girl you’re seeing right now is not the girl you would have seen 10 years ago,' Miss Wineman told ABC News. 'I have overcame a lot. I have overcome so many of my symptoms.'
Miss Iowa, Mariah Cary, who's also 18, has Tourette's syndrome after diagnosed at the age of eight after experiencing mild minor tics. Today she tours her state spreading awareness of the condition.
'I made a choice early in life, that I wanted to use my condition to empower other people, not just kids who have Tourette's, but anyone facing adversity of any kind,' according to Mount Mercy University's website.
There was also Miss Maine, Molly Bouchard, who lost more than 50 pounds before winning her state crown.
And finally Miss Puerto Rico, Kiaraliz Medina, who after twisting her ankle and fainting during the competition was forced to add a pair of crutches to her red swim suit.
She introduced herself to the audience by saying: 'I'm here to make the crutches look good.'
Suit strut: Earlier in the evening the contestants were seen competing in the swimsuit portion of the Miss America 2013 pageant
Stunners: Miss Iowa Mariah Cary, who has a mild form of Tourette's syndrome, strikes a pose in her bikini, left of Miss DC, Allyn Rose, who plans to undergo a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of breast cancer
One of a kind: Miss Montana Alexis Wineman, 18, the first autistic Miss America pageant contestant is seen left of Miss Puerto Rico, Kiaraliz Medina, who also modeled a pair of crutches after twisting her ankle and fainting backstage
Standing out: Miss Washington Mandy Schendel (left) chose a strapless bikini top and nude heels, while Miss Kentucky Jessica Casebolt (right) opted for a snakeskin-patterned swimsuit to show off her toned figure
The 92nd Miss America annual show held this year at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip is the culmination of a week of preliminary competitions and months of preparations for the titleholders from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The pageant, which started as little more than an Atlantic City bathing suit revue, broke viewership records in its heyday and bills itself as one of the world's largest scholarships programs for women.
But like other pageants, the show has struggled to stay relevant as national attitudes regarding women's rights and civil rights have changed.
More recently, the rise of reality television has provided a superabundance of options for Americans interested in seeing attractive young people in competitive pursuits.
Sparkling: Miss Hagan tap danced to James Brown's 'Get Up Off of That Thing'
Winnings: Miss Hagan will keep for one year while additionally awarded with a $50,000 college scholarship
New lady: After perhaps cleaning up her mascara after her emotional win, Miss New York took a few spins before the cameras during a press conference as the new Miss America
Road ahead: Miss America 2013 poses with a football during a news conference on Saturday night, enjoying just the first hours of her win
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261605/Miss-America-Miss-New-York-Mallory-Hagan-takes-2013-crown-tap-dancing-James-Brown.html#ixzz2HtcAqSVU
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