You'll Be Rooting For Miss Puerto Rico This Year

One of the best parts about the annual Miss America pageant is getting to know the contestants representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. I'm sure all of the ladies competing in the pageant have incredible stories, but I'm particularly intrigued to learn more about Miss Puerto Rico, Carole Rigual. I mean, in just an initial Google search for her, I stumbled upon Miss Puerto Rico's official Instagram account, and she just looks like she's already having so much fun at the Miss America 2017 competition. That definitely made me want to know more about who Miss Puerto Rico is and what we can expect from her during Sunday night's competition?

From what I can tell from her Internet presence, Rigual seems to be quite the nice and lovely lady. Just being able to take home the title of Miss Puerto Rico is a pretty impressive accomplishment, so Rigual is probably no slouch.

Though she certainly has the beauty of a beauty queen, Rigual doesn't seem to be your typical pageant competitor. Aside from not originally hailing from one of America's states, there's plenty about Rigual that will make her stand out among the other 51 contestants come pageant time. Get to know more about Rigual below, and you won't soon forget her.

Her Reign Began Recently

Rigual was crowned Miss Puerto Rico at the end of June after representing the area of Bayamon in the country's capital of San Juan in the pageant. With a stunning outfit like the one above, it's easy to see why Rigual took home the title.

She'll Bring Awareness To An Important Issue

Clearly, Rigual will be bringing the glitz and glam that you'd expect from any Miss America contestant to this year's pageant. And I really hope that she makes it to the talent portion of the evening because her profile on the Miss America Organization's website says she has a monologue prepared, and I am so intrigued to find out what exactly that will entail. But most importantly, Rigual will use the evening to shed light on her platform, children who are victims of sexual abuse.

She's All About Justice

After you learn a little bit more about Rigual's background, it's easy to see that she's very passionate about her platform. The 22-year-old graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico where she studied criminal justice and forensic psychology in July, she announced on the official Miss Puerto Rico Instagram account. She now has her sights set on pursuing a law degree — after she hopefully wows during the Miss America 2017 pageant, that is.

She's Quite The Character

If you scroll through Miss Puerto Rico's official Instagram account, you'll immediately notice photos that aren't quite as glamorous as the others, and show her with a unibrow, messy hair, and mismatched clothes. No, those pics weren't shared by mistake. That is Rigual dressed up as someone who appears to be one of the characters she portrays. I'm wondering if she'll be performing as this character during her aforementioned monologue, although photos of her rehearsing her talent don't show her in this clothing and makeup. Well, if she does don this get-up, I think it would be a unique, fascinating, and altogether entertaining moment of the competition.

She Knows The True Meaning Of Beauty

In her video bio featured on the Miss Puerto Rico Organization's YouTube channel, Rigual revealed that she has seven scars on her face. She hasn't provided any more information about that, but it's nice to know that she didn't let what others may see as an obstacle in such an appearance-based contest affect her confidence and ability to compete in one of the most prestigious pageants in the world.

She's Always Moving

If you think Rigual looks pretty fit, that's probably because she seems to be a very active person, who can often be found working out, learning a new sport, or just busting a move in her apartment. Go, Rigual, go!

Be forewarned: You might just find even more reasons to love Rigual when she competes in the Miss America 2017 pageant.

Image: Miss America Organization