Miss Wisconsin, Grace Stanke of Wausau, crowned Miss America 2023

Miss Wisconsin, Grace Stanke of Wausau, was crowned Miss America 2023 on Thursday.

First runner-up was Miss New York, followed by Texas, West Virginia, and Georgia.

Stanke was crowned at the competition Thursday after three action-packed nights showcasing talent, interview skills, and social impact achievements. Earlier this week she won the $2,500 talent scholarship for her classical violin performance.

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Stanke was awarded a $50,000 cash scholarship, the iconic Austrian crystal crown, and the life-changing title of Miss America 2023. She plans to use her national platform to continue advocating for clean energy and a cleaner future.

She believes that America needs to convert to zero-carbon energy sources, and her social impact focuses on breaking down misconceptions surrounding nuclear power.

Stanke is currently in her senior year at the University of Wisconsin, studying nuclear engineering.

"I want to leave the legacy of the women who can, you know," she said. "A lot of the times I get put into this box when people hear I'm a nuclear engineer, but I can do so much more. I'm a classical musician. I'm a competitive water skier. I'm a family member, a friend and an outdoorswoman who loves to go camping in the woods in the middle of the night, right."

Stanke isn't the first Miss Wisconsin to become Miss America. Laura Koeppeler of Kenosha won in 2011 and Terry Meeuwsen of De Pere was crowned in 1973.