Miss Texas Margana Wood won the first night of preliminary competition in her quest to become the next Miss America on Wednesday night, after sending her love to flood victims in her hometown of Houston.
The 22-year-old, who triumphed in the swimsuit competition, saw her own home spared by the floodwaters, but has many friends whose houses have been wrecked and whose lives have been upended.
‘I send my love to all of them,’ she said during the contest in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ‘We’re taking it day by day.’
Pageant queen: Miss Texas Margana Wood (pictured) won the first night of preliminary competition in her quest to become the next Miss America on Wednesday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Competition: The contestants are vying to succeed Savvy Shields, last year’s Miss Arkansas who won the title a year ago
Showing off: The various contestants showcased their talents during the first segment of the competition. Pictured is Miss Washington Nicole Renard
High level: Miss South Carolina Suzi Roberts (left) and Miss New Jersey Kaitlyn Schoeffel (right) also took to the stage to demonstrate their skills
Musician: Miss Utah JessiKate Riley won the talent competition by playing a solo on a 115-year-old violin from Austria
Duo: Riley (pictured right next o Wood) got a huge ovation from the crowd in Boardwalk Hall by playing a violin piece
After winning the preliminary contest, Wood explained she was happy to be in the competition, but kept her home State in her thoughts.
‘I’m so excited to be here in Atlantic City, but my heart is absolutely with the people of Houston,’ she told reporters. ‘That’s my home.’
Woods was joined by 20-year-old Miss Utah, JessiKate Riley, who won the talent competition by playing a violin solo on a 115-year-old instrument from Austria.
Riley got a huge ovation from the crowd in Boardwalk Hall playing a violin piece she arranged herself on a vintage instrument. She has been playing the violin for 17 years, ever since she was three, and named that particular instrument Sam.
‘Every little girl dreams of becoming Miss America,’ she said. ‘My dream is to portray my heart through my music.’
In it to win it: Contestants (pictured on Wednesday) will show off their state-specific footwear on Saturday in the annual ‘Show Us Your Shoes’ parade along the Boardwalk
Stage: Miss Hawaii Kathryn Teruya (left) and Miss West Virginia Tamia Hardy (right) were among Wednesday’s contestants
Walk, walk: Miss Delaware Chelsea Bruce proudly represented her home State during the swimsuit competition
Style: Miss Missouri Jennifer Davis (left) and Miss California Jillian Smith (right) defended their spot during the bikini segment
Melody: Miss Pennsylvania Katie Schreckengast (pictured) played the saxophone during the talent portion
Dancing for the crown: Miss Wisconsin McKenna Collins performed ballet during the talent segment won by Miss Utah
In onstage interviews, contestants described their pageant causes, including curing diabetes, protecting and expanding arts education in schools, supporting military families and increasing understanding among different cultures.
During the talent segment, they showed off a variety of skills, including ballet dancing, opera and vocal performances.
The next Miss America will be crowned in Sunday night’s nationally televised finale.
Contestants will show off their state-specific footwear on Saturday in the annual ‘Show Us Your Shoes’ parade along the Boardwalk.
The contestants are vying to succeed Savvy Shields, last year’s Miss Arkansas who won the title a year ago.