Washington, D.C. (7News) — Alexandria has a brand new hometown hero to cheer for. Miss USA Justus Kelley is making pageant historical past as the primary married lady, first mom, and first lady in her 30s to seize the Miss USA title. Becoming a member of Good Morning Washington, Kelley mirrored on the emotional second her title was introduced and what it means to signify a brand new technology of girls on the nationwide stage. Married to her school sweetheart, Kelley mentioned her win is about increasing perceptions of who can compete and succeed, proving that marriage, motherhood, and age aren’t limitations to attaining huge desires.

Past the crown, Kelley is utilizing her platform to advocate for foster care, a trigger that’s deeply private to her as a foster mother. She shared how her journey into foster parenting started and highlighted the challenges many kids within the system face, together with arriving at new houses with their belongings packed in trash luggage. Kelley hopes her visibility as Miss USA will assist increase consciousness and drive change for foster households throughout the nation. Now an Alexandria resident who grew up in Indiana, she says Virginia has change into dwelling as she balances her reign, household life, and preparations for the Miss Universe competitors this November.