The 23-year-old beauty queen from Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, was crowned Miss America during the 2012 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Saturday night.

Kaeppeler win marks the first time Miss Wisconsin has taken home the crown since 1972. She won a $50,000 scholarship and a yearlong run with the crown after answering a question about whether Miss America should declare her political affiliation by answering:

“Miss America represents everyone, so I think the message to political candidates is that they represent everyone as well,” she said. “And so in these economic times, we need to be looking forward to what America needs, and I think Miss America needs to represent all.”

Meanwhile, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson came in second while Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.

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