“I can’t believe it,” Connor said. “When I got crowned, I felt like I was going to pass out. I was so excited, just to go to Miss America. It’s something I’ve wanted ever since I was eight years old and I saw my first Miss Vermont pageant. I’m so thankful.”
Passionate about her platform, Connor said that she hopes to continue to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through aviation. A privately-licensed pilot herself, she hopes to improve her own rating while helping to provide similar opportunities for other young women.
“I want to incorporate more lessons – hands-on lessons where girls can actually go up and fly with me,” she said.
Connor started her pageant career at a young age, and is continuing a series of events, of sorts. She was Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen in 2010. Miss Vermont that year was Caroline Bright. Bright was Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen in 2007, and was the first young woman to have held both titles.
Connor said she went to bed calm the night before, but then woke up nervous on the day of the pageant. She then convinced herself it was out of her hands.
“I just knew that God had a plan, and if I’m meant to be [Miss Vermont], I’m meant to be,” she said. “If not, I’m still walking out of it with an experience of a lifetime.”
Connor performed an American Sign Language performance of “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston.
Just moments after her crowing, she said it had yet to sink in that she’ll be competing on the Miss America stage.
“In the next few days, it might sink in, but for now I’m just so thankful,” she said.
Among those inn attendance at the pageant were Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Kenzie Goode, Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Carly Fisher and Miss Delaware 2016 Amanda Debus.
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