Photos: Miss America 2018 Competition

NEW JERSEY -- Congratulations to Miss America 2018, Cara Mund.

Before taking on her new title, Mund was Miss North Dakota.

She bested a field of 51 competitors from each state and the District of Columbia during the week-long event's finale Sunday night in Atlantic City.

Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields, former Miss Arkansas, placed the crown on her teary-eyed successor's head as the new Miss America accepted applause and cheers from the audience and judges.

Miss North Dakota emerged victorious through a series of swimsuit and talent contests, onstage speeches and two rounds of interviews by judges.