Semi-finalist 2022, Semi-finalist Miss IL Teen USA 2021
A native of Des Plaines, Nikolina Vujcic was crowned Miss Illinois USA on 25 May 2025 and will represent Illinois at the Miss USA 2025 pageant in Reno, Nevada. Nikolina is a proud Serbian-American and is trilingual in Serbian, Spanish, and English. As a pediatric ER nurse, Nikolina is committed to delivering holistic care for children. She has a deep passion for service, encouraging others to use their individual gifts and talents to create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
Nikolina Vujcic was born and raised in Des Plaines, Illinois, and is a proud first-generation Serbian-American. Trilingual in Serbian, Spanish, and English, she embraces her multicultural background with pride. The only child of two loving parents, she was immersed in her culture from a young age, spending her early years performing Serbian folklore dancing—a tradition she carried through high school. A lifelong performer, Nikolina also found her love for dance and cheerleading, participating throughout middle school, high school, and college.
She attended Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing while also excelling as a collegiate Student-Athlete. As a member—and two-year captain—of Loyola’s first-ever competitive cheerleading team, Nikolina helped lead the team to a historic Top 10 finish at UCA Nationals. At just 22 years old, she became a Registered Nurse and began her career in the Pediatric Emergency Department of the very hospital where she was born.
As a pediatric ER nurse, Nikolina is committed to delivering holistic care while minimizing the emotional trauma children may experience during emergency visits. Her compassion extends beyond the hospital walls—she has a deep passion for service, encouraging others to use their individual gifts and talents to create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
Nikolina’s service has reached the international stage. Most notably, she traveled to Lourdes, France, where she volunteered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, assisting pilgrims—both sick and well—at the sacred baths believed to possess healing waters.
Looking ahead, Nikolina plans to further her education by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education, followed by Nurse Practitioner school with a focus on fertility. She hopes to help minimize the stress often associated with fertility care and one day open her own fertility clinic—an inclusive, empowering space where women feel supported, heard, and respected.
Her dedication to combining purpose with passion is what fuels her drive to serve, inspire, and lead with a servant’s heart.
— from the Miss Illinois USA website
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Nikolina’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Nikolina’s previous pageant photos.
