Colleen Ward was crowned Miss Connecticut 2015

Colleen Ward, Miss Windham County, was crowned Miss Connecticut 2015 on June 27. She will have a few months to prepare for Miss America 2016 in Atlantic City on September 13, 2015, where she hopes to be crowned by the reigning Miss America, Kira Kazantsev.

Miss America 2017 Candidates here!

Ward's pageant journey began in 2011 when she was crowned Miss Greater Waterbury. With four years under her belt, she thinks she ready to take on the challenge again. "I'm more comfortable in my skin," she said. "I'm ready for the job. I think I can bring more to the table."

With a bachelor's degree in elementary education, the beauty queen has turned her passion for education into a platform that encourages childhood literacy : "Encouraging a Healthy Mind for a Healthy Life."