Miss America 2015

Miss America 2015 (the 88th Miss America pageant) was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday, September 14, 2014. Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri crowned the winner, Miss New York, Kira Kazantsev, making it the third consecutive year that a Miss New York won the Miss America crown; New York thus became the first state to have a Miss America winner three years in a row. It was broadcast on ABC, UniMás, and streamed to mobile devices via the WatchABC app as well as Xbox One consoles via its live TV functionality. Tickets for the 2015 Miss America competition went on sale in spring 2014.

Chris Harrison and Lara Spencer returned as co-hosts. The panel of judges included: Gary Vaynerchuk, Marc Cherry, Kathy Ireland, Lee Ann Meriwether, Donald Driver, Shawn Johnson, and retired Army Brig. Gen. Anne MacDonald.

The Top 5 finalists at the Miss America 2015 pageant were:

First Runner-Up - Miss Virginia, Courtney Garrett
Second Runner-Up - Miss Arkansas, Ashton Campbell
Third Runner-Up - Miss Florida, Victoria Cowen
Fourth Runner-Up - Miss Massachusetts, Lauren Kuhn

The Miss America evening gowns of the 2015 pageant were stunning. There was a range of styles and colors. While all of the girls had to wear Tony Bowls/Mon Cheri during the final night they were allowed to wear whatever they desired for Prelims.

"It's interesting how certain contestants wore the gown they won their state title in over the custom gown they created with Tony," Steven Roddy, founder of Pageant Planet and Brand Manager for Tony Bowls, said. "But, there can be a 'one-two punch strategy' by presenting two separate gowns to judges. The switch up keeps things fresh." With that being said, there were a select few who really stood out of the crowd.

Miss America Serves Day

The Miss America Serves Day began in 2015 to create a nationwide campaign to promote community service with all of the organization's local, state and national titleholders. Both current and former titleholder are encouraged to participate in a Miss America Serves Day event near them. While many titleholders volunteer directly with the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, titleholders and volunteers also spend time at schools, shelters and other locations to give back.

The Top 10 for the Miss America 2015 pageant were:
Alabama - Caitlin Brunell
Mississippi - Jasmine Murray
Ohio - Mackenzie Bart
Oklahoma - Alexandra Eppler
Tennessee - Hayley Lewis

The Top 12 for the Miss America 2015 pageant were:
Iowa - Alysa Olson
Kentucky - Ramsey Carpenter

The Top 16 for the Miss America 2015 pageant were:
Connecticut - Acacia Courtney
Idaho - Sierra Sandison (America's Choice)
North Dakota - Jacky Arness (Judge's Choice)
Texas - Monique Evans

Lifestyle and Fitness Winners Preliminary were:
Florida - Victoria Cowen
Oklahoma - Alexandra Eppler
Maryland - Jade Kenny

Talent Preliminary Winners were:
Ohio - Mackenzie Bart
Kentucky - Ramsey Carpenter
Pennsylvania - Amanda Smith

Miss Congeniality
North Dakota - Jacky Arness

Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship Award:
Alaska - Malie Delgado
Arkansas - Ashton Campbell
Florida - Victoria Cowen
Hawaii - Stephanie Steuri
Illinois - Marisa Buchheit
Massachusetts - Lauren Kuhn
New York - Kira Kazantsev
Ohio - Mackenzie Bart
Oklahoma - Alexandra Eppler
Virginia - Courtney Garrett

STEM Scholarship Award:
Georgia - Maggie Bridges
Massachusetts - Lauren Kuhn
New Mexico - Jessica Burson
Ohio - Mackenzie Bart
Vermont - Lucy Edwards

Non-finalist Interview Award:
Louisiana - Lacey Sanchez

Non-finalist Talent Award:
Indiana - Audra Casterline
Nevada - Ellie Smith
North Carolina - Beth Stovall
Pennsylvania - Amanda Smith
West Virginia - Paige Madden