It was a historic moment this week for the Miss USA organization. The first fully-covered Muslim woman competed this week in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. 

  • First fully-covered Muslim competed for Miss Minnesota USA
  • This marks a historic moment for the organization
  • Halima Aden was thrilled with the reactions - "It just made all this worth it." 

Halima Aden, 19, a Somali-American, wore a hijab and burkini with a headscarf during the swimsuit portion of the contest. 

The Saint Cloud University freshman made it to the semifinals, but was cut before advancing to the final five. 

Although Aden didn't win, she couldn't be happier with the reaction. 

"I just like the fact that people are talking about it, and I've been getting awesome messages from Muslim girls, telling me about stuff that they've overcome, like bullying or people calling them towel head or rag head, and then just, sharing with me my story has motivated them, it's just made all this worth it," she said. 

Meridith Gould, 22, was crowned 2017 Miss Minnesota USA.