Scientist from DC wins Miss USA title
Las Vegas: Kara McCullough, a scientist working for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, has been crowned Miss USA.
McCullough, who represented the district of Columbia in the decadesold pageant, was born in Naples, Italy, and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
She said she wanted to inspire children to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“I love science,” McCullough said after the Sunday event.
“I look at this as a great opportunity to ... get to experience worldwide culture, as well as just having the opportunity to be impacted by so many children, hopefully in the math and sciences.”
McCullough bested 50 other contestants and will represent the US at the Miss Universe contest.
This was the second year in a row that the representative of the nation’s capital won the Miss USA title. This year’s top five finalists were asked questions that touched on the pros and cons of social media, women’s rights and issues affecting teenagers.
McCullough was asked whether she thought affordable healthcare for all US citizens was a right or a privilege, to which she said, “As a government employee, I’m granted health care and I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you need to have jobs.”
Kara McCullough was asked whether she thought affordable healthcare for all US citizens was a right or a privilege. She wants to inspire children to pursue careers in the fields of science, engineering and mathematics