Miss USA Nia Sanchez of Nevada dazzles in national costume

There were raves Wednesday night at the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant preliminaries for our hometown beauty Nia Sanchez, who after winning Miss Nevada USA went on to win Miss USA for our Silver State for the first time.

Miss USA Nia Sanchez of Nevada dazzles in national costume

By Robin Leach

Miss USA Nia Sanchez of Nevada competes in the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant preliminaries Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Miami.

MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION

There were raves Wednesday night at the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant preliminaries for our hometown beauty Nia Sanchez, who after winning Miss Nevada USA went on to win Miss USA for our Silver State for the first time.

Nia shined in her pink-red bikini and was all smiles as she dazzled in her floor-length Michael Costello gown — a strapless, embellished, red origami creation. Then she simply knocked out the audience at Florida International University arena wearing a Las Vegas showgirl-inspired red, white and blue-feathered outfit.

Afterward, Nia said: “Wow! It was an absolute dream come true to step foot on the Miss Universe stage. I feel full of joy and am so honored to represent my country. I am blessed with this amazing opportunity.”

Nia now has to wait anxiously until the start of the live NBC broadcast of the 63rd annual pageant Sunday to see if she’s made it into the Top 15 from the 88 competing glamour girls. If so, she’ll continue competing.