Halima Aden, 19, made history when she became the first contestant to wear a hijab and a burkini at a Miss Minnesota USA pageant.
Ms Aden, a Somalian who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and moved to the US at the age of six, according to Time, was one of the top 15 contestants of the 2016 pageant over the weekend.
She told local television station KARE that she hoped to be a positive example for other young Muslims.
"A lot of people will look at you and will fail to see your beauty because you're covered up and they're not used to it, so growing up I just had to work on my people skills and give people a chance to really know me besides the clothing," she said.
Ms Aden said she was humbled by the support she had received at the pageant.
Halima Aden (Facebook) Source: Facebook
"This is a big win for us, you know.
"I'm the first to do this and I'm hoping to see more Muslim women wearing burkinis and being celebrated."
Denise Wallace, executive co-director of the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, told the BBC that Ms Aden was a role model for all young women.
"For Halima standing on the stage this weekend, she is showing other women that they too can do that and that it's possible for them."
Minnesota has the highest number of Somali immigrants in the US.
