After a turbulent year, Miss Michigan Alma Cooper was named Miss USA 2024 on August 4th at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, ushering in a new era for the organization. This triumph follows the historic resignations in May of Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava and previous Miss USA Noelia Voigt, who cited personal reasons and a divergence with the organization’s objectives.
After Voigt resigned, Savannah Gankiewicz took over as Miss USA and emphasized her goal of empowering young women while sharing her positive experience with the organization. Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss USA 2023, gave Cooper her title at the contest, which was broadcast on The CW. Reigning Miss USA last year, Gankiewicz was the first runner-up. Noelia Voigt quit in May, claiming mental health issues.
Miss Michigan Alma Cooper
Miss USA 2024, Alma Cooper of Michigan USA, was crowned Sunday night at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Cooper’s Miss USA bio states, “She is passionate about addressing food insecurity in our country and globally.” Her ultimate objective is to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious foods. “Demand Excellence” is Alma’s life slogan, which she received from her parents, who paved the way for them to realize their American dream.
Cooper
According to her bio on the Miss USA website, Cooper is a military intelligence officer and second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. She completed her studies at Stanford University to earn a master’s degree in data science after graduating from the United States Military Academy.
Cooper will compete in the Miss Universe competition later this year after winning the title of Miss USA 2024.
Alma Cooper, the newly crowned Miss USA 2024, will now compete in the Miss Universe Pageant in November on behalf of the United States. On August 1st, Addie Carver of Mississippi was named Miss Teen USA 2024. The Miss USA contest remains a forum for uplifting young women and honoring their accomplishments despite the organization’s scandals.
For the Miss USA title, Cooper defeated fifty competitors, including Diane Westhoven, the 2024 Miss Alabama USA. In June, Westhoven, competing as Miss Southern Plains, took home the state championship. Vestavia Hills resident Westhoven is a student at Auburn University pursuing a career as a medical assistant. Every competitor for Miss USA is a previous year’s pageant winner.
Westhoven was not selected in the top 20 competitors who were revealed on Sunday, therefore she was not able to participate in the televised swimsuit and evening gown competitions or respond to a question from the judges on television. (There is no talent competition for Miss USA.) On the other hand, Westhoven participated in various pageant activities including a preliminary competition for Miss USA earlier this week.
