Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii has been named Miss USA 2023, more than a week after the previous titleholder stepped down due to mental health reasons.
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s Savannah Gankiewicz has been named Miss USA 2023, more than a week after the previous titleholder stepped down due to mental health reasons.
Born and raised on the island of Maui, Gankiewicz is a model for leading a nonprofit organization that promotes women’s empowerment. Gankiewicz, who was the first runner-up in the competition last September, accepted the title Wednesday during a special coronation ceremony attended by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Hawaii News Now reported. She will hold the title until August.
Miss USA 2024 is scheduled to be held from July 24th to August 4th.
Gankiewicz told KHON-TV that he received backlash for deciding to accept the remainder of his title tenure. “But I wanted people to know that I took this role because I feel it’s a responsibility and an opportunity to make positive change from within. You can only do it from within, and you can’t stand out,” she said. she said.
Gankiewicz replaces former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Vogt, who resigned on May 6 due to mental health reasons. Vogt thanked her fans in her statement, writing that she “never compromise your physical or mental health.”
Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava also resigned from the title within days of Voight’s resignation, shocking the Miss Universe Organization, which runs both pageants.
“My personal values are no longer fully aligned with the direction of the organization,” Srivastava, a former Miss New Jersey Teen USA, said in a statement.
