From Miss New York to Miss America

For the second year in a row, Miss New York won Miss America, but the pageant’s return to Atlantic City made history Sunday night when the first contestant of Indian descent took home the crown.

Nina Davuluri became the first contestant to claim the crown in Atlantic City since 2005, the last time the competition was held in its birthplace. The competition was broadcast live nationally on ABC.

Davuluri performed a Classical Bollywood Fusion Dance in the talent portion of the competition.

Along with the title of Miss America 2014, Davuluri won a $50,000 scholarship provided in part by Joseph Ribkoff Inc. and the Miss America Organization.

Nina, a student at the University of Michigan, will now travel approximately 20,000 miles discussing her personal platform, Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency, official said. She will also serve as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. It is the national platform of the Miss America organization, officials said.

She will also be the official spokesperson for R.E.I.G.N. Cosmetics, Joseph Ribkoff Inc. and Catalina Swimwear and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She will travel to Washington, D.C. to work with the Department of Education.

Miss California Crystal Lee was the first runner-up and earned a $25,000 scholarship. Her performance was a Ballet en Point to “Swan Lake” and her personal platform is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold was the second runner-up, and was rewarded with a $20,000 scholarship. She gave a vocal performance during the talent competition and her platform is A.R.T. (Artists Reaching Together).

Miss Kansas Theresa Vail won ABC’s America’s Choice, an online competition in which viewers were given the chance to voice their opinion of who Miss America should be.