A Virginian biochemist has been named winner of Miss America 2020 after performing a live science experiment that defied stereotypes of the contest.

Camille Schrier defeated 50 women to take the crown at Thursday’s final in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Wearing a lab coat, the 24-year-old impressed judges with a chemistry demonstration in the talent show.

Schrier won a US$50,000 scholarship and a one-year role as Miss America.

In her acceptance speech, Schrier said she hoped to “break stereotypes about what it means to be a Miss America in 2020.”

Schrier has two undergraduate science degrees and is studying a doctorate in pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

She reportedly told the celebrity panel, comprised of Kelly Rowland, Karamo Brown of “Queer Eye” and “Superstore” actress Lauren Ash, that “Miss America is someone who needs to educate.”

In her role as Miss America, Schrier will spend a year advocating for Mind Your Meds, a drug safety and prevention program.

Schrier’s victory is expected to be viewed as another progressive step away from Miss America’s traditional beauty contest format.

Since 2018 the competition has attempted to re-brand its image, scrapping its swimwear segment and appearance-based judging criteria.

Instead, contenders showcase their talents and are interviewed about their passion, intelligence and understanding of the Miss America role.

“We will no longer judge our candidates on their outwards, physical appearance. That’s huge,” said former Miss America winner Gretchen Carlson, who announced the reforms in 2018.

Organizers say the changes have encouraged more young women to participate.

Earlier this year Schrier, a self-confessed “quirky scientist,” told the BBC she wanted to “break people’s stereotypes” of those competing for the Miss America title.

She said her science experiment — the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide — was a “big factor” in her winning Miss Virginia in June this year.

While acknowledging there was still “controversy” over these types of competitions, Schrier said Miss America has “re-branded” and was being more “progressive” by focusing more on women’s achievements than appearances.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【成见】chéngjiàn stereotype a conventional, formulaic and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image

【古怪的】gǔguài de quirky peculiar, unconventional

近日，2020年“美国小姐”桂冠花落弗吉尼亚的一名生化学家，她颠覆了传统比赛模式，在舞台上展示了一项科学实验。

上周四，在康涅狄格州昂卡斯维尔举行的决赛中，卡米尔·施里尔击败另外50名佳丽，夺得冠军。

这位24岁的选手身穿实验服，在才艺表演中现场完成了一次化学实验，给评委们留下了深刻的印象。

最终，施里尔当选2020年“美国小姐”，并赢得了5万美元的奖学金。

施里尔在获奖感言中说，希望“打破人们对‘美国小姐’的刻板印象”。

施里尔女士拥有两个理学学士学位，目前正在弗吉尼亚联邦大学攻读药剂学博士学位。

据报道，她告诉名人评审小组说，“美国小姐是一个需要对人们有教育作用的人”。凯利·罗兰、出演《粉雄救兵》的卡拉莫·布朗和《超级商店》的女演员劳伦·阿什都是评审小组成员。

作为“美国小姐”， 施里尔将用一年的时间来宣传“谨慎用药”，该计划致力于倡导药物安全和防止滥用。施里尔的胜利将被视为“美国小姐”传统选美比赛模式的又一进步。自2018年以来该比赛试图重塑形象，放弃泳装部分和基于外表的评判标准。

取而代之的是，参赛选手展示才能，接受采访，谈论她们热爱的事情和对美国小姐这一角色的理解。“我们不再以貌取人，这是巨大的变化”，前“美国小姐”冠军格雷琴·卡尔森在2018年宣布了这些改革。

组织者表示，这些变化鼓励了更多年轻女性参加选美比赛。

今年早些时候，自称“古怪科学家”的施里尔女士告诉英国广播公司，她想“打破人们对参选‘美国小姐’的女士们的刻板印象”。她说她的科学实验 —— 过氧化氢的催化分解 —— 是她今年6月赢得“维吉尼亚小姐”的一个重要因素。虽然承认这类比赛仍存在“争议”，但施里尔表示，“美国小姐”已经“重新包装”，更加“进步”，更多地关注女性的成就而不是外表。

(chinadaily.com.cn)