Miss America crowns 1st winner of Indian descent

CNN Staff
2 minute read
Updated 9:09 AM EDT, Tue September 17, 2013
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, left, crowns Betty Cantrell as Miss America 2016 on Sunday, September 13.
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, left, crowns Betty Cantrell as Miss America 2016 on Sunday, September 13.
Noah K. Murray/AP
Vanessa Williams, left, is shown after being crowned Miss America 1984 in Atlantic City. Williams resigned after nude photographs of her were revealed to the public, and Suzette Charles, right, who had been the first runner-up, took the title of Miss America 1984.
Vanessa Williams, left, is shown after being crowned Miss America 1984 in Atlantic City. Williams resigned after nude photographs of her were revealed to the public, and Suzette Charles, right, who had been the first runner-up, took the title of Miss America 1984.
AP
1985 winner, Sharlene Wells, was from Utah.
1985 winner, Sharlene Wells, was from Utah.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
Miss America 1986, Susan Akin, was from Mississippi.
Miss America 1986, Susan Akin, was from Mississippi.
NBC/NBCU/Getty Images
Kellye Cash, from Tennessee, was the winner in 1987.
Kellye Cash, from Tennessee, was the winner in 1987.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
In 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, won the crown.
In 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, won the crown.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
Winner Gretchen Carlson waves to the crowd during the Miss America pageant in 1988 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Winner Gretchen Carlson waves to the crowd during the Miss America pageant in 1988 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc/Getty Images
Debbye Turner, from Missouri, was 1990's Miss America.
Debbye Turner, from Missouri, was 1990's Miss America.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
Marjorie Judith Vincent, formerly Miss Illinois, was crowned in 1991.
Marjorie Judith Vincent, formerly Miss Illinois, was crowned in 1991.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
1992 Miss America was Carolyn Suzanne Sapp, from Hawaii.
1992 Miss America was Carolyn Suzanne Sapp, from Hawaii.
Courtesy Photo/Miss America
Miss America 1993, Leanza Cornett, tries on a hat in New York in 1992. Cornett announced that she would wear only U.S. fashions in support of U.S. textile and apparel workers.
Miss America 1993, Leanza Cornett, tries on a hat in New York in 1992. Cornett announced that she would wear only U.S. fashions in support of U.S. textile and apparel workers.
HELAYNE SEIDMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Miss America 1994, Kimberly Clarice Aiken, waves to the crowd as she walks down the runway. Aiken said she planned to spend her year-long reign aiding homeless people.
Miss America 1994, Kimberly Clarice Aiken, waves to the crowd as she walks down the runway. Aiken said she planned to spend her year-long reign aiding homeless people.
TIM CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, who is deaf, signs, "I Love You" to reporters at a press conference.
Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, who is deaf, signs, "I Love You" to reporters at a press conference.
Allan Tannenbaum/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Miss Oklahoma, Shawntel Smith, right, reacts after she wins Miss America 1996 title, during the 75th Anniversary of the Miss America Pageant.
Miss Oklahoma, Shawntel Smith, right, reacts after she wins Miss America 1996 title, during the 75th Anniversary of the Miss America Pageant.
AFP/Getty Images
Tara Dawn Holland, right, from Kansas, is crowned Miss America 1997, by Shawntel Smith.
Tara Dawn Holland, right, from Kansas, is crowned Miss America 1997, by Shawntel Smith.
TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images
Miss Ilinois, Katherine Shindle, left, reacts as she's crowned the 1998 Miss America by Tara Holland at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.
Miss Ilinois, Katherine Shindle, left, reacts as she's crowned the 1998 Miss America by Tara Holland at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.
B. Vartan Boyajian/AP
Miss Virginia, Nicole Johnson, right, is crowned Miss America 1999.
Miss Virginia, Nicole Johnson, right, is crowned Miss America 1999.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Heather Renee French, Miss America 2000, is showered with confetti as she walks down the runway after being crowned at the conclusion of the Miss America Pageant.
Heather Renee French, Miss America 2000, is showered with confetti as she walks down the runway after being crowned at the conclusion of the Miss America Pageant.
TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images
Miss Hawaii Angela Perez Baraquio, front, smiles as she is crowned Miss America 2001.
Miss Hawaii Angela Perez Baraquio, front, smiles as she is crowned Miss America 2001.
TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images
Miss America 2002, Katie Harman, clasps her hands together, overjoyed as she assumes the title of Miss America 2002.
Miss America 2002, Katie Harman, clasps her hands together, overjoyed as she assumes the title of Miss America 2002.
TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images
Miss America 2003, Erika Harold, right, is congratulated by Miss Alabama, Scarlotte Deupree, in Atlantic City. Erika's platform for her reign was Empowering Youth Against Violence: "Respect Yourself: Protect Yourself."
Miss America 2003, Erika Harold, right, is congratulated by Miss Alabama, Scarlotte Deupree, in Atlantic City. Erika's platform for her reign was Empowering Youth Against Violence: "Respect Yourself: Protect Yourself."
William Thomas Cain/Getty Images
Miss Florida, Ericka Dunlap of Orlando, Florida, center, is crowned Miss America 2004, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Miss Florida, Ericka Dunlap of Orlando, Florida, center, is crowned Miss America 2004, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
William Thomas Cain/Getty Images
Deidra Downs, from Alabama, and newly crowned Miss America 2005, walks down the runway after being crowned at the finals of the 2004 Miss America Pageant.
Deidra Downs, from Alabama, and newly crowned Miss America 2005, walks down the runway after being crowned at the finals of the 2004 Miss America Pageant.
Donald B. Kravitz/Getty Images
Jennifer Berry, from Oklahoma, waves after winning the 2006 Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the first time the annual pageant has been held outside of Atlantic City, in its 85-year history.
Jennifer Berry, from Oklahoma, waves after winning the 2006 Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the first time the annual pageant has been held outside of Atlantic City, in its 85-year history.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Lauren Nelson, from Oklahoma, is named Miss America 2007 at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lauren Nelson, from Oklahoma, is named Miss America 2007 at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Kirsten Haglund, from Michigan, walks on stage after being crowned Miss America during the 2008 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Kirsten Haglund, from Michigan, walks on stage after being crowned Miss America during the 2008 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Katie R. Stam, from Indiana, reacts after being crowned Miss America 2009.
Katie R. Stam, from Indiana, reacts after being crowned Miss America 2009.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Host Mario Lopez, left, looks on as Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, right, crowns Caressa Cameron, formerly Miss Virginia, the new Miss America 2010.
Host Mario Lopez, left, looks on as Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, right, crowns Caressa Cameron, formerly Miss Virginia, the new Miss America 2010.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Teresa Scanlan, from Nebraska, is crowned Miss America 2011 as Miss America 1971, Phyllis George, right, gives Scanlan flowers.
Teresa Scanlan, from Nebraska, is crowned Miss America 2011 as Miss America 1971, Phyllis George, right, gives Scanlan flowers.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin, reacts after being crowned Miss America during the 2012 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino January 14, 2012, in Las Vegas.
Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin, reacts after being crowned Miss America during the 2012 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino January 14, 2012, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler, right, wraps the sash around Mallory Hytes Hagan of New York, the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas.
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler, right, wraps the sash around Mallory Hytes Hagan of New York, the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas.
David Becker/Getty Images
Miss America 2014 winner, Nina Davuluri, is crowned at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 15, in Atlantic City. Davuluri, from New York, is the first woman of Indian descent to be crowned Miss America.
Miss America 2014 winner, Nina Davuluri, is crowned at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 15, in Atlantic City. Davuluri, from New York, is the first woman of Indian descent to be crowned Miss America.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Miss America 2015 winner, Kira Kazantsev.
Miss America 2015 winner, Kira Kazantsev.
Ida Mae Astute/ABC/Getty Images