Find Out the First Miss America Winner from Your State

#45: Miss Vermont, 2015 — Alayna Westcom

Vermont has never produced a Miss America winner, but Alayna Westcom left her mark in 2015 as a Top 15 semifinalist. Raised in Bakersfield, she was a medical laboratory scientist, making her one of the few contestants to bring a science-based platform to the national stage.

Her advocacy for STEM education and her passion for encouraging young women to pursue science careers made her a refreshing and modern contestant. Even without a crown, Westcom gave Vermont one of its most inspiring representatives, blending intelligence with a drive to change the world.