Columbus native crowned Miss USA 2016

A Columbus native who serves as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves was crowned Miss USA 2016 on Sunday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber, 26, was born in Columbus, the daughter of an Army master sergeant at Fort Benning, according to a news release on the Miss Universe website. Because of her father’s military service, Barber relocated to several states, including North Carolina, Nebraska, Minnesota and Virginia.

In 2011, she was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Army Quartermaster Corps, and she is currently logistics commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, Maryland.

“Deshauna is passionate about serving the men and women in the U.S. military, specifically focusing her efforts on PTSD treatment for soldiers returning from deployments and suicide prevention in the Armed Forces,” according to the news release. “Deshauna loves to dance, hike and enjoy quality time with her family.”

Barber has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Virginia State University, and is currently an IT analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington. On Sunday, she was crowned by Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan from Oklahoma.

Barber is the first military member to win Miss USA. In a press conference following the event, she said she plans to take a break from the Army Reserves and had already discussed with superiors the possibility of going inactive for a couple of years should she win the title. She said she currently serves two days per month.

“My commander should be watching right now,” Barber said. “Two days a month is definitely not active duty. It is an obligation that I signed up for but they are very flexible in the United States Army Reserves.”

When asked what message she had for the presidential candidates — including former pageant owner and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump — Barber said they should focus more on veteran’s issues, including the backlog at veterans hospitals.

“I think that a lot of the topics that they discuss isn’t as important,” she said in a glittering gold gown.

Barber wasn’t the only candidate from the region who fared well in the pageant. Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis, a native of Spalding County, Ga., was second runner-up; and Miss Alabama USA Peyton Brown, of Eufaula, made the top five.

Davis, 22, is a senior at Valdosta State University, where she is studying communications with an emphasis in intercultural organization. Brown, 22, of Eufaula, is studying communication studies at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Here is the list of results:

▪  Winner: Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber

▪  First runner-up: Miss Hawaii USA Chelsea Hardin

▪  Second runner-up: Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis

▪  Rounding out the top five: Miss Alabama USA Peyton Brown; Miss California USA Nadia Mejia

▪  Rounding out the top ten: Miss Virginia USA Desi Williams; Miss Connecticut USA Tiffany Teixeira; Miss Missouri USA Sydnee Stottlemyre; Miss Arkansas USA Abby Floyd; Miss South Dakota USA Madison McKeown

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This story was originally published June 6, 2016 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Columbus native crowned Miss USA 2016."