Over the last few weeks, Taylor Wiebers has been taking a break from classes to compete in this year’s Miss America pageant.

The 21-year-old’s journey began after being crowned Miss Iowa in June.

She won two preliminary competitions leading up to the finale; the preliminary talent competition and the lifestyle and fitness competition.

Wiebers is the first double preliminary winner since 2001. These awards brought her $3,000 in scholarships which she will put towards school.

During the Miss America pageant competition this weekend, she was the first of the judges choices in the Top 15. After the final swimsuit competition, she made it into the Top 12.

Before being crowned, Wiebers worked to support her chosen platform: Kicking it to Children’s Cancer.

To support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer charity foundation, Wiebers shaved her head when she was 16 years old.

“The most meaningful thing is when you can connect with a child that has cancer on a personal level,” she said.