District of Columbia's K'ra McCullough Crowned MISS USA

This evening, The MISS UNIVERSE Organization crowned Miss District of Columbia USA Kra McCullough MISS USA at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The special programming event aired live on FOX, and featured women who continue to break pageant stereotypes, including a top 5 whose professions include a scientist, a financial literacy advocate, a professional dancer, a pediatric nurse, and a marketing student who emigrated from India.

Kra is the second consecutive contestant from District of Columbia to win the competition following Deshauna Barber's victory in 2016. As the first active military member to hold the MISS USA title, Deshauna was most recently promoted to Captain in the United States Army Reserve. She plans to continue her work in the Army Reserve and pursue a career as a motivational speaker. This marks the first time since 1989 a delegate won the title back-to-back.

Born in Naples, Italy to a now-retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, Kra works as a scientist at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kra earned her degree in radiochemistry from South Carolina State University. She is the founder of a community outreach program called "Science Exploration for Kids" (SE4K), which creates interactive activities celebrating math and Science to cultivate a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among children. Outside of her work for the government and in her community, Kra is an avid cook. Kra is the seventh woman born outside the United States to hold the MISS USA title.

Viewers around the world helped their favorite contestant advance throughout the competition via a global fan vote, which saw nearly a million votes cast during the two-hour telecast. The competition also trended worldwide on Twitter.

The live telecast featured narratives filmed in the contestants' hometowns highlighting their professional successes and community accomplishments; as well as a roundtable discussion about the American Dream; and a special tribute to the contestants' mothers in honor of Mother's Day.

The competition sourced its final questions for the interview portion of the show from theSkimm. A media company with an engaged community of more than five million active subscribers, theSkimm is changing the way female millennials consume news and information. More than 1,000 questions were submitted. Topics included challenges that women face in the workplace, global perception of the United States, suicide prevention, healthcare and the impact of social media in society.

Final Results:

First Runner-Up: Miss New Jersey USA Chhavi Verg

Second Runner-Up: Miss Minnesota USA Meridith Gould

Top Three: Miss District of Columbia USA Kra McCullough; Miss Minnesota USA Meridith Gould; Miss New Jersey USA Chhavi Verg

Top Five: Miss Minnesota USA Meridith Gould; Miss Illinois USA Whitney Wandland; Miss South Carolina USA Megan Gordon; Miss District of Columbia USA Kra McCullough; Miss New Jersey USA Chhavi Verg.

Top Ten: Miss Alaska USA Alyssa London; Miss California USA India Williams; Miss District of Columbia USA Kra McCullough; Miss Illinois USA Whitney Wandland; Miss Minnesota USA Meridith Gould; Miss Missouri USA Bayleigh Dayton; Miss New Jersey USA Chhavi Verg; Miss New York USA Hannah Lopa; Miss South Carolina USA Megan Gordon; Miss Tennessee USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat.

The MISS USA prize package includes a year-long salary as Miss USA; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a one-year supply of CHI Haircare products; a swimsuit wardrobe by YANDY.com; personal health and beauty services; a modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographers; and professional representation by The MISS UNIVERSE Organization.

About The MISS UNIVERSE Organization The MISS UNIVERSE Organization (MUO) uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best. MUO believes that every woman should be "Confidently Beautiful." The MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA, and MISS TEEN USA competitions provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. During their reign, titleholders are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. For more information, please visit: www.missusa.com.

Find MISS USA on Facebook and YouTube, and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

About IMG IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world's greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions.

SOURCE The MISS UNIVERSE Organization

Image: Facebook/MISS USA