Summers-Time in the USA

Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers’ warmth and positivity is a breath of fresh air

 

After two decades, the city of Shreveport-Bossier rolled out the red carpet and true southern hos­pitality for the 2018 Miss USA Pageant and its 51 state representatives vying for the illustrious crown before a live television audience and Fox broadcast viewers. In true pageantry style, it would be an historic night. As poignant vignettes from the delegates’ childhood played, the 2018 Miss USA state titleholders commanded the massive runway. The new digital stage wowed the crowd with its custom lighting for the opening production number and contestant introductions.

With husband and wife emcees Nick Lachey of 98 and Miss Teen USA 1998 Vanessa Minillo Lachey expertly guiding the show, the top fifteen delegates as chosen by the Miss USA selection committee and Miss Universe Organ­ization were introduced. Fulfilling lifetime dreams were: winner of the hometown vote Miss South Dakota USA Madison Nipe, and Finalists Miss Georgia USA Marianny Egurrola, Miss Maine USA Marina Gray, Miss Texas USA Logan Lester, Miss New Jersey USA Alexa Noone, Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers, Miss Florida USA Genesis Davila, Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea, Miss Massachusetts USA Allissa Latham, Miss Maryland USA Brittinay Nicolette, Miss Tennessee USA Alexandra Harp­er, Miss Oregon USA Toneata Morgan, Miss North Car­olina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Miss Michigan USA Elizabeth Johnson, and Miss California USA Kelly John­son. The Miss USA stage was now set for the final compe­titions in determining who would take the crown of Miss USA 2018.

The first televised competition of the night to winnow the field from fifteen to ten contestants would be the icon­ic Swimsuit Competition. Displaying an abundance of commitment to a healthy and fit lifestyle, the initial com­petition did not disappoint in bringing the live crowd to life. However, the time had arrived to narrow the field, with Miss California USA, Miss Maine USA, Miss Nevada USA, Miss Tennessee USA, Miss New Jersey USA, Miss Nebraska USA, Miss North Carolina USA, Miss Georgia USA, Miss South Dakota USA, and Miss Florida USA continuing the quest for the Miss USA crown.

Elegance, poise, sophistication, and glamour, all hall­marks of pageantry, were on display as Evening Gown commenced, and contestants were serenaded by two-time Grammy winner Lee Brice. As the live audience voiced their support for each delegate, the women of Miss USA were resplendent as they walked the runway in their per­sonal choice of gown. It was breathtaking and beautiful and always the crowd favorite. And now, it was time to an­nounce the top 5: Miss Nevada USA, Miss Florida USA, Miss Nebraska USA, Miss North Carolina USA, and Miss South Dakota USA.

With the final five confirmed, it was time to advance to the Final Qyestion. In a new twist to the competition, all of the presented questions were submitted by their fellow contestants, adding more pressure to one of the most anx­ious and tense competitions, especially in front of a live and television audience. Miss Nevada USA addressed a ques­tion from Miss Nebraska USA about a time when she felt unworthy and how she overcame it. Miss Florida USA spoke of sexual assault on college campuses in response to a question from Miss North Carolina USA. Miss Nebraska answered Miss Florida USA’s question on the effect single parent households have had on views of marriage and family on this gener­ation. Miss North Carolina USA replied to Miss South Dakota’s ques­tion, giving her views on the recent decision of the Boy Scouts to accept girls and the value of single gender associations. Lastly, South Dakota gave her views on the concern pre­sented by Miss Nevada USA, regard­ing the fact that one-third of women did not exercise their right to vote in the last election. The selection com­mittee was now in the unenviable position of choosing the remaining three delegates and the eventual Miss USA 2018.

Emerging from the high pressure and high-stakes Final 􀀃estion round were Miss Nebraska USA, Miss North Carolina USA, and Miss Nevada USA. The Final Word, the same question presented to each final­ist, would decide the fate of these fi­nalists. What would they address? The question: “You are on your way to a march and someone hands you a blank sign and marker. What do you put on your sign and why?”

All phases of competition were complete and the Miss USA nation awaited the final decision of the selection committee. Second runner up was bestowed upon Miss Nevada USA. It was center stage time, where the pressure was amplified exponen­tially. With the declaration of Miss USA, Miss North Carolina USA claimed first runner up. In an historic moment, Sarah Rose Summers captured the crown, title, and acco­lades of Miss USA 2018, the first woman from Nebraska to earn the Miss USA crown.

 

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