NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) — The new Miss Michigan USA says she's humbled to represent her West Michigan community.

Michele Lewandoski was crowned Miss Michigan USA on Saturday, during her third run competing for the title.

"I'm feeling so incredibly excited and just grateful," she told News 8. "I've competed for this title for three years now and have placed top five every year, so I've gotten so close but never actually won that title. So this year was so special to me — and I still feel like I can't even believe it. I'm still trying to take it all in."

Lewandoski was born and raised in Michigan, growing up in Norton Shores with four siblings — which she said gave her a sense of competitiveness. She is a graduate student studying to be a behavior analyst, with a goal of working with

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