Miss America Contestants Arrive in Atlantic City

The 53 contestants competing for the Miss America crown arrived in Atlantic City Tuesday night, NBC 40 reports.

Of the 53 contestants, one has a clear homefield advantage. Miss New Jersey Cierra Kaler-Jones is not just from the state hosting the event. She’s from Galloway Township, just outside Atlantic City, where the pageant will be held Sept. 14.

Kaler-Jones is an Absegami High School and Rutgers University graduate, whose platform is Empowering Today’s Youth Through Arts Education.

She won the Miss New Jersey Pageant in Ocean City in June.

Tuesday night’s arrival is the beginning of two weeks worth of festivities leading up to the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall, according to the report.

Last year’s pageant caused a stir when Nina Davuluri became the first Miss America of Muslim descent.

For a complete list of contestants, visit missamerica.org.

For more, visit nbc40.net.