Miss Utah Kara Arnold, 52 other contestants vie for Miss America title in Vegas

She is one of several contestants who have grabbed headlines this year because of their unusual backstories. Other include Miss Montana, the pageant's first autistic contestant, Miss Iowa, who struggles with Tourette's syndrome, and Miss Maine, who lost more than 50 pounds to win her state crown.

Judge Mary Hart said these hard luck personal histories will not sway her scoring because every contestant has overcome adversity. What she is looking for is "really the full package."

"Each in their own way is so admirable, and has faced the odds, that they're already winners in life," said the former "Entertainment Tonight" host. "Each woman is capable in her own right of being a role model, and already in fact is."

Hannah Dreier can be reached at http://twitter.com/hannahdreier