The prowess of Miss Carol Stream, Zena Malak, was asserted when she defeated 84 contestants to bag the crown of Miss Illinois USA 2016, where she was crowned by the outgoing Miss Illinois USA 2015, Renee Wronecki who was one of the Top 15 in Miss USA 2015. Illinois is one of the most victorious states in the history of Miss USA inception. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only three states to win two Miss USA titles in consecutive years. Will Zena set the bars high in the coming edition of Miss USA 2016 pageant, let’s find out!
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The story of success began when Myrna Hansen was crowned as the first winner from Illinois at Miss USA 1952. Myrna proved her mettle fair and square when she reached the destination of Miss Universe battle. Myrna was adjudged as the first runner up at Miss Universe 1952, after being appreciated by the judging panel and receiving enormous support from the audience worldwide. After nine years, Illinois repeated the triumph tale making Marite Ozers the second crown holder from their state at Miss USA 1963. Another grand history got created when Miss USA 1973 Amanda Jones and Miss USA 1974 Karen Morrison gave Illinois back to back victories at Miss USA Pageant. Apart from that, Miss World South Sudan 2014, Awien Kuanyin ended as Top 25 semi-finalist at Miss World 2014, once a contestant at Miss Illinois USA 2015, wherein she was a Top 10 semi-finalist.
Zena Malak is a graduate from DePaul University in Chicago. Her father is Half Lebanese and Half Egyptian. The reigning scintillating beauty is not a newbie to pageants, she was formerly crowned as Miss Illinois Galaxy International 2011. She also competed at Miss Illinois USA 2013 where she bagged the third runner up crown. She is vying to become fifth Miss Illinois to win Miss USA and second Muslim woman to win Miss USA title. Zena, also having won Miss Photogenic title at her state pageant, will certainly have an edge as she roves her eyes over the camera lenses, in the coming photoshoot of the pageant.
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Do you think she will become the fifth woman from Illinois who will be addressed as USA amongst the “Confidently Beautiful” women across the globe?