Miss America contestant shouts out Flint water crisis during pageant introduction

Miss Michigan used her introduction at the Miss America pageant Sunday night to call out the Flint water crisis in her home state.

While contestants typically note their achievements or “fun facts” during the introduction, Emily Sioma took a different approach.

“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.

“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” — the new #missamerica2019 pageant did not come to play pic.twitter.com/H05eifix2e

— alex rees (@maybealexislost) September 10, 2018

{mosads}The brief statement earned praise on social media, especially from Michiganders who say the issue of lead and other toxins in the state’s drinking water is still not solved, years after it first emerged.

“Regardless of whether you agree with what she said or not, she is shining light on a pressing issue that we have in our state that and that is STILL not solved,” wrote Twitter user @brooklynn_kayy. “THAT, is a Miss America.”

Sioma, who describes herself as an activist, has used her platform to speak out about a number of issues, including organ donation and sexual assault.