The “nuclear nerd” is Miss America.
Miss Wisconsin Grace Stanke, who offers the title in her Instagram bio as a nod to her career aspirations, received a new title Thursday night: Miss America 2023.
Here’s Stanke’s crowning moment Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., when she was presented with her new band and crown as her fellow contestants celebrated their title behind her.
Who were the runners-up in the Miss America 2023 competition?
Following Stanke were first runner-up Miss New York Taryn Delanie Smith, second runner-up Miss Texas Averie Bishop, third runner-up West Virginia Elizabeth Lynch, and fourth runner-up Miss Georgia Kelsey Hollis.
Here’s more on what you should know about Stanke, the third woman to be crowned Miss America.
Who is Grace Stanke?
She’s a 20-year-old from Wausau, Wis., who grew up competing in scholarship-based pageants, is an advocate for clean energy sources and was the 95th winner of the Miss America pageant on Thursday.
Who are Grace Stanke’s parents?
Stanke is the daughter of Darrin and Jenny Stanke.
Stanke is a nuclear engineering student
She is a senior at UW-Madison studying to become a nuclear engineer. After one year as Miss Wisconsin, she plans to finish her college career.
Of course, his Badger family was very supportive after his win.
Where did Stanke go to high school?
Wausau West High School
Stanke has a long history in the Miss America competition
His victory on Thursday was not the first time he wore a crown.
When she was 13, she first competed in the Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen organization. Stanke won Miss Wausau’s Outstanding Teen in 2016 and then in 2017 captured Miss Harbor Cities’ Outstanding Teen. That year she became Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen.
She continued her success a few years later by becoming Miss Madison in 2020-21 (she was a semifinalist in the Miss Wisconsin competition last year). Stanke returned this year and won Miss Badgerland before winning the title of Miss Wisconsin 2022 in June.
Stanke’s platform is “Clean Energy, Cleaner Future” as he promotes nuclear power
Its social impact initiative is “Clean Energy, Cleaner Future” as it advocates for the United States to return to zero-carbon energy sources, as well as dispelling misconceptions about nuclear power.
She has said that her father, a civil engineer, influenced her to pursue nuclear engineering. He previously told Oshkosh Northwestern that nuclear science helped save his father’s life during treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
When he gets to work, Stanke wants to be an advocate for nuclear power and influence policy to improve the environment. All in all, her goal is to inspire young girls to enter STEM fields.
Stanke is a talented violinist
He took up the instrument at the age of 8 and it became one of his passions. She showed this talent during the Miss America competitions as a teenager.
Then he shined on the biggest stage.
Stanke won the Miss America Talent Scholarship, wowing the judges with her classic performance while taking home $2,500 in scholarship money.
What’s next for Stanke as Miss America?
She will be the face of the Miss America Organization for the next year, while promoting her social initiative. Stanke will be a full-time paid contract employee of the organization. He will tour the country and also visit other countries giving speeches and doing research on his platform.
