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Miss Capital City, McKenzie Ariana Kerry was crowned Miss Iowa USA 2024 on Sunday, June 23 at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minnesota. The 25-year-old, who holds a degree in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, succeeds last year's winner Grace Lynn Keller. McKenzie will now prepare to represent the "Hawkeye State" at the Miss USA 2024 pageant in Hollywood, California this August. "All the glory to God. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to announce that I am your Miss Iowa USA 2024," she wrote online. "To every single person who poured into me along this three-year journey - every message, hug, prayer, pep talk, letter - I hope I've made you proud," she added. The new Miss Iowa USA also left a message to her home state. She said, "To Iowa - It's the honor of a lifetime to represent you and I promise to share the beauty of our state at every opportunity." View this post on Instagram A post

Johnson County's Grace Lynn Keller was crowned Miss Iowa USA 2023 on Saturday, June 24 at the Staplin Performing Arts Center in West Des Moines. McKenzie Kerry of Des Moines was named first runner-up while Kaylyn Peel of Polk County, Caitlin Crome of Iowa City, and Hayley Buettell of Morning Sun were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Iowa USA is a host, writer, and producer with a degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. No stranger to pageantry, she previously won the title Miss Iowa 2021 and went on to compete in the 94th Miss America which was held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. "I am deeply humbled to have been crowned Miss Iowa USA tonight! Much more to come, but tonight I must express my gratitude for everyone that made this weekend possible," she shared on social media after winning her new title. "Iowa, I am ready to serve you. Y’all - WE’RE GOING TO MISS USA,"