First Indian-American to win Miss America

24-year-old Syracuse native becomes first Indian-American Miss New York.

Nina Davuluri of Syracuse, NY, was crowned Miss New York 2013 last night during the Miss New York Scholarship Competition at the St. George Theatre.
Davuluri, formerly Miss Syracuse, was crowned by her predecessor, Shannon Oliver. She received a $10,000 scholarship and will represent New York at the Miss America competition this September in Atlantic City, NJ.

Miss America herself was on hand to welcome Davuluri into her new role. Mallory Hagan, a 23 year-old FIT student, is the first Miss America from New York since Vanessa Williams.
First runner up Amanda Mason received a $4,000 scholarship. Second runner-up Acacia Courtney received $3,000 in scholarships. The third runner-up was Desiree Wiley, who took home a $2,500 scholarship. Fourth runner up was Teresa Lii, winning a $1500 scholarship
A total of 24 contestants competed for the Miss New York crown last night and another 15 young women for the title of Miss New York Outstanding Teen yesterday afternoon. Winners were announced last night. Of that roster, seven call Staten Island home.
The new Miss New York received a $10,000 scholarship and will represent the Empire State at the Miss America
Mallory Hytes Hagan, the former Miss New York turned Miss America who was on hand for the production noted that she was excited to be coming home this weekend to see who will walk away with the job of Miss New York 2013 and embark on their journey to Miss America 2014 in September.
“Staten Island has been such an incredible support for the Miss New York scholarship program and I can’t wait to be back in the community who has embraced the Miss America Organization so whole-heartedly,” she noted.
Pageant winners will represent New York in their respective competitions and their win translates into their taking a giant step on the competitive road that leads to the legendary Miss America Pageant.
The Miss America Organization is the nation’s leading scholarship provider for women, awarding more than $45 million annually.