Cara Mund is the first Miss North Dakota crowned Miss America

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Brown University graduate and future law-school student Cara Mund became the first Miss North Dakota ever to be crowned Miss America Sunday night in Atlantic City, N.J.

The first runner-up in the competition was Miss Missouri, Jennifer Davis.

The 97th edition of the pageant was broadcast on ABC, with Chris Harrison and Sage Steele serving as hosts.

Maria Menounos, Thomas Rhett, Molly Sims, Jordin Sparks, Tara Lipinski, Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri and People magazine editor-in-chief Jess Cagle made up the judges' panel.

"Mund's acceptance of the highly-coveted crown is just the beginning of a journey that will take her to every corner of the nation and around the world during her year of service as Miss America 2018," a press release noted. "She will embark on her national speaking tour about her platform, A Make-A-Wish Passion with Fashion, and act as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for its 170 member hospitals, is the national platform partner of the Miss America Organization."