Say hello to our 2014 Miss America. Nina Davuluri is smart, beautiful, and perfectly represents the melting pot that is America.

Miss America 2014
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When I was a little girl, I lived for the Miss America/USA pageants. Although the Miss USA contestants were a little flashier, I tended to prefer the Miss America pageants, due to the fact that the girls seemed, well, deeper, for lack of a better word. Not only did the Miss America contestants perform a talent, but they could actually answer the interview questions intelligently! As an eight year old girl, I was enamored with the women on my television, vowing one day I would grow up to be as pretty and talented as they were.

This year marks a first for the Miss America pageant, when they crowned the first winner of Indian heritage, Miss New York, Nina Davuluri. Nina's heritage was actually a big part of her platform, "celebrating diversity through cultural competency." She also incorporated Indian culture into her talent, performing a Bollywood fusion dance.

In her first press conference, the new Miss America remarked that she is happy the organization has embraced diversity, saying,  "I'm thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America." There's no doubt Davuluri is a great role model for young girls. A graduate of Syracuse University, she plans to attend med school with the help of the $50,000 scholarship she won as part of her title.

Unfortunately, some Twitter users responded with disappointing remarks. Some said Nina wasn't "American enough". Others said she looked like a terrorist, which is not only disgusting, but also extremely ignorant. However, Davuluri has taken the remarks in stride, and instead is focusing on the positive. She stated she must rise above the comments, saying, "I always viewed myself as first and foremost American."

She's right. America is a cultural melting pot. It's our diversity that makes our country a special place to live, and I am glad that we are finally starting to celebrate it. Not only is Miss America 2014 drop dead gorgeous and talented, she is also smart and driven. I call that a great role model for American girls to look up to.

What was your favorite moment of the Miss America Pageant? Tweet me, @DaniOnB106!

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