Mallory Hytes Hagan beat out Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who placed second, and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who finished third, to become Miss America! She beat out 13,000 original contestants including the pageant’s first autistic contestant and a woman with Tourettes.

“Sandy may have swept away our shores, but never our spirit. I’m Miss New York, Mallory Hagan,” Mallory said as she introduced herself to the nation on Jan. 12.

Mallory tapped danced to James Brown’s “Get Up Off That Thing” for the talent section of the competition and for the question and answer portion, she answered a question about armed guards in schools from Good Morning America’s Sam Champion, who was one of the celebrity judges for the pageant this year.

“I don’t think the proper way to fight violence is with violence,” she said.

Mallory attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and hopes to obtain a degree in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing.

Mallory won a $50,000 scholarship along with the sash and crown on Jan. 12 at Las Vegas’s Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

As the winner, Mallory is expected to spend her title reign on a nationwide speaking tour and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, the organization’s official charity.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did the right woman get the crown?

— Chris Rogers

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@ChrisRogers86