1st runner-up 2016, 1st runner-up 2015
A native of Washington DC, Kára McCullough was crowned Miss District of Columbia USA on 18 December 2016 and represented District of Columbia at the Miss USA 2017 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kára made history as the second consecutive Miss USA from DC, the first pair of back-to-back state titleholders since the 1980s.
Miss USA 2017 Kára McCullough was born in Naples, Italy. Her father was a member of the United States Marine Corps, and she lived in various places such as Sicily, South Korea, Japan, and Hawaii. She was later raised in Virginia Beach. Kára attended South Carolina State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a concentration in radiochemistry and served as the school’s 75th Miss South Carolina State University. While a student, she was a member of the American Chemical Society, the Health Physics Society, and the American Nuclear Society. She has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Her major provided her the opportunity to intern at many universities, which paved the way to her current career at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission where she works as an emergency preparedness specialist in the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. Kára also has a personal community outreach program entitled, Science Exploration for Kids (SE4K). SE4K features interactive science activities, and math and science tutoring for children scholars grades 6-11.
Kára’s win is the fourth for the District of Columbia and the first pair of back-to-back wins since the Texas Aces from 1985-1989. It is the first time ever that two Miss USAs have been the final two in a state pageant!
Kára competed at Miss Universe on home soil in Las Vegas on 26 November 2017, approximately six months after winning Miss USA. Her national costume was science and superhero-themed.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Kára’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 Kára’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Kára’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she helped her successor Ryan Richardson crown Bryce Armstrong as Miss District of Columbia USA 2018 and then passing on her Miss USA 2018 crown to Sarah Summers.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Kára’s “after the crown” photos.
