Miss America 2015: Miss New York Kira Kazantsev Crowned Winner

Miss New York Kira Kazantsev has been crowned Miss America 2015.

The 23-year-old received the crown from Nina Davuluri at the annual pageant that took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 14 September.

This is the third year in a row that a contestant from New York has won the Miss America pageant.

Along with the title, Kazantsev also won a $50,000 scholarship and will be recognised as the organisation's role model and brand ambassador for the year. She will also go on tour and work to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network, the organisation's official charity.

Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett was the first runner-up. The other three contestants who made it to the list of top five finalists were Miss Arkansas Ashton Jo Campbell, Miss Florida Victoria Cowen and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn.

Scroll down to take a look at the photos from the crowning moments of the Miss America 2015 pageant: