Miss Wisconsin set to compete to be crowned Miss America tonight

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (CBS 58) -- A UW Madison student from Wausau is set to make history on a grand stage on Thursday, Dec. 15.

20-year-old Grace Stanke will be the first nuclear engineer to compete in the annual Miss America contest.

Stanke was crowned Miss Wisconsin in June and says when she is not studying nuclear fission or competing in pageants, she is busy practicing her violin.

She recently won the Miss America Talent Scholarship for her classical violin performance, earning a $2,500 scholarship.

Stanke says that her favorite part of the pageants is discussing her passion for nuclear science.

"I'm excited to have that conversation on the Miss America Stage, I've had it in every single speaking portion of competition so far. And I'm excited to see where nuclear energy as a whole can go."

The Miss America competition will take place Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.