Miss America 2018: 5 things to know about Miss Delaware

She's beauty and she's grace — she's Miss Delaware.

Joanna Wicks, 24, will represent the First State in this year's Miss America pageant, which has been embroiled in controversy this year.

The preliminary rounds have already begun in Atlantic City. The competition will culminate in the televised event at 9 p.m. on Sunday on ABC. 

Here are five things you need to know about Miss Delaware: 

She *technically* isn't from Delaware

Just because Wicks wasn't born in the First State doesn't mean she can't represent it.

She's originally from Cockeysville, Maryland, but went to the University of Delaware where she earned a degree in visual communications. She currently lives in New Castle

Joe Biden wasn't born in Delaware either, and we still love him — right?

She missed the first day of school for Miss America 

Before becoming Miss Delaware, Joanna was better known as Ms. Wicks. 

The art teacher, took to Instagram to give a shout out to her students at Saint Thomas More Academy in Magnolia.

"I miss you guys so much," Wicks said in the video. "I hope you have a great summer and a great first day."

She won't be wearing a swimsuit 

Wicks will not sport a swimsuit at this year's competition, representing a monumental shift in the pageant's 97-year history. 

For the first time, Wicks and her fellow contestants won't be judged on their outward appearance, the Miss America organization says. Because of this, the organization has eliminated the swimsuit competition — a once iconic staple of the pageant. 

Wicks told The News Journal in June that she'll miss the swimsuit portion, but she hopes it will show women that all body types are beautiful. 

"I know in speaking to some of my students who want to get involved, the swimsuit has deterred from them entering in the past," Wicks said at the time. "So I'm hoping these changes will really help the organization grow and reach more women who might not have competed previously." 

Her talent is speed painting

Yes, you read that correctly.

Unlike the classic dancing and singing routines, Wicks will paint a portrait in 90 seconds. The art teacher said she wanted to show off her passion during the talent segment.

During the Miss Delaware competition, Wicks painted Wonder Woman by sketching the superhero in glue and then throwing glitter on it. 

She considers herself to be a feminist

To Wicks, one can be a feminist and a beauty queen at the same time. 

Wicks said most of the contestants feel the same way. 

"At the end of the day, what that word is supposed to mean is the belief that men and women are equal," she said. 

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Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman.