DHAKA: Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was crowned the new Miss America late Sunday, the third straight victory for the Empire State in the national beauty pageant.

Outgoing Miss America Nina Davuluri, also from New York, presented the crown to Kazantsev after the competition at Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall.

Kazantsev, 22, named protecting women from domestic violence as her platform, and said she aims to obtain a juries doctorate and a master’s degree in business administration.

An honors student, she hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy, according to the Miss America organization.

The Straits Times publishes this report on Monday.

BDST: 1309 HRS, SEP 15, 2014