She’s beauty and she’s grace — She’s Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell! A bonafide Georgie Peach, Betty Cantrell brought pride and big, glitzy crown back to her home state after she walked away with the honor of being named Miss America in 2016.

Wowing the crowd at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on September 14th 2015, Betty gave a powerhouse opera performance of “Tu Tu Piccolo Iddio” from “Madame Butterfly” that carried her to the title, beating out 51 other beautiful, talented ladies in the process.

Along with winning the $50,000 scholarship that came with her title, Betty was there for history as the first African American woman to wear the crown, Vanessa Williams, returned to the stage after resigning the crown following a nude photo scandal to receive an official apology from the organization.

Check out more photos of Betty from the pagent and beyond.