NORTH DAKOTA’S AUDRA MARI CROWNED MISS WORLD AMERICA 2016

  NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - 07/10/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

North Dakota's Audra Mari was crowned Miss World America 2016 at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland, Friday evening.

Mari is 26 years old and was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. Prior to becoming a professional model, Mari was a student at North Dakota State University majoring in Public Relations and Communications. As a Beauty with a Purpose, Mari is passionate about her humanitarian work and advocates for the Irie Foundation, an organization whose mission is to empower at­risk youth to lead productive lives through cultural experiences, educational initiatives mentorship programs, and scholarship opportunities.

WPGC’s entertainment correspondent Guy Lambert and FOX 5 news reporter?Annie Yu co­hosted the event. Miss World ­ Americas 2014, 2nd Runner Up to Miss World, Elizabeth Safrit served as commentator, while Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills took viewers live and behind­the­scenes through social media.

Final Results:

1st Runner­Up: Shivali Patel (North Carolina)

2nd Runner­Up: Sasha Perea (Virginia)

Top Five: Audra Mari (North Dakota); Shivali Patel (North Carolina); Sasha Perea (Virginia); Michelle Pierrot (District of Columbia); Andrea Hightower (Mississippi)

Top Twelve: Andrea Hightower (Mississippi); Audra Mari (North Dakota); Azia Hernandez (Michigan); Christina Denny (Maryland); Leslie Hawkins (Illinois); Michelle Pierrot (District of Columbia); Rachel White (Texas); Sasha Perea (Virginia); Shivali Patel (North Carolina); Sujita Basnet (Maryland); Tarese Taylor* (Maryland); Tarryn Shelman* (Texas) *The Top Twelve Semifinalists included the Top Ten plus a tie for People’s Choice.

The new winner will compete at the 66th edition of Miss World® later this year wearing one­of­a­kind evening gowns created by Mac Duggal with designer jewelry by Elyse Fine Jewelers.

About Miss World America

Miss World America is the national qualifier for Miss World®, the oldest international pageant in existence and one of the most publicized competitions on the planet. In 1972, the Beauty with a Purpose ethos was incorporated into Miss World®, and has since been responsible for countless hours of impactful humanitarian efforts and billions of dollars raised for charities around the globe.

For more information, visit: www.missworldamerica.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissWorldAmerica; Twitter: @MWAmericaOrg and Instagram: @MissWorldAmerica #MissWorldAmerica.

Photo Credit: AllyKat Photography