IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photos and text from wire services cation to regulating nuclear facilities as an emergency preparedness specialist in the agency, “executive director for operations Vic McCree said in a statement. “We are pleased that such a multi-talented young woman is part of our dedicated and excellent staff.”

McCullough, who grew up in Virginia Beach and studied nuclear chemistry at South Carolina State University, says she’s making encouraging women and girls to enter the STEM fields part of her platform. Her serious cred on the topic earned raves from the judges: “If you would have been my science teacher, I would have paid more attention in class!” gushed actor Terrence Jenkins, who co-hosted the pageant with “Dancing With the Stars” judge Julianne Hough.

But McCullough’s background as a government worker also came into play during one of her answers in the interview portion that has stirred controversy on social media. Asked whether health care was a right or a privilege, she invoked her own experience: “I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,” she said. “As a government employee, I am granted health care. And I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you need to have jobs. So therefore, we need to continue to cultivate this environment that we’re given the opportunities to have health care as well as jobs to all the American citizens worldwide.”

PHOTO COURTESY NRC Newly crowned Miss USA Kára McCullough on the job at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.