It's been the hardest moment of our life as a family."
The new Miss North Carolina is also a sophomore at NC Central University.
Marissa Teijo, Miss Paso del Norte, set the record for the oldest contestant in pageant history when she took the stage as one of 75 contestants vying for the crown.
The goal of the event is to raise scholarship funders for young women and a formal presentation to society and into adulthood.
As the first runner-up, Gankiewicz was announced as the replacement for former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, who stepped aside May 6.
The two beauty queens allege that a very ugly work environment turned toxic, but because they are both bound by contracts with confidentiality clauses, their moms are finding a platform to give voice to their experiences.