(CBS) -- Emily Sioma, who competed in this year's Miss America competition as Miss Michigan, did not shy away from controversy during the pageant. Each contestant introduced herself, and when it was Sioma's turn to take the stage, she used the spotlight to address the Flint water crisis.
"From the state with 84 percent of the U.S. fresh water but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan, Emily Sioma," she said. In contrast, most of the other contestants introduced themselves by talking about their colleges and majors.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with lead in 2014 after officials switched from the Detroit system to the Flint River to save money. In 2014 and 2015, Flint didn't properly treat corrosive water that was pulled from the river. As a result, lead in old pipes contaminated the water going into homes and businesses, and it streamed from household taps as a brown and smelly fluid. Some children were found to have elevated lead levels in their blood, leading to long-term health concerns.
The EPA says there is no safe level of lead. Though multiple recent studies showed lead levels below the federal limit for more than two years, many Flint residents still do not believe the water is safe.
Viewers praised Sioma for bringing attention to the water crisis in her home state.
YES MISS MICHIGAN #Flint #FlintWaterCrisis https://t.co/egeT9Pxz8w
— Jenny Yang ???????????????????????? (@jennyyangtv) September 10, 2018
And proving the #Resistance is evreywhere, meet Emily Simoa, Miss Michigan, using her platform to speak truth. #MissAmerica2019 #womengetitdone #persisterhood https://t.co/itCZBdxZhS
— ilyse hogue (@ilyseh) September 10, 2018
Been rolling my eyes all weekend that Miss America is still a thing but MISS MICHIGAN FOR PRESIDENT https://t.co/Y6Wib6DVRg
— Jane Burns (@jrburns) September 10, 2018
My thoughts on #MissAmerica so far:
•Loved how Miss Michigan blatantly called out the failing water systems there.
•Miss Colorado's spoken word made me feel like I can conquer the world.
•These ladies are SMART. Really smart.
•Yay for natural hair!
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) September 10, 2018
It's not the first time Sioma has stood up for a cause. During her college commencement, she protested speaker Michael Bloomberg's speech by standing silently during the address. She also wore a cap that said, "I survived," in reference to sexual assault.
Sioma did not win the title of Miss America, though. Instead, Miss New York, Nia Imani Franklin, took home the crown Sunday night in Atlantic City.
