After Miss USA Resignation Scandal, Savannah Gankiewicz Is Glad She Wasn’t 'Scared’ to Accept Crown (Exclusive)

Savannah Gankiewicz accepted the Miss USA 2023 crown in May after a shocking resignation — now, three months later, she's preparing to crown her successor

Savannah Gankiewicz, 28, has no regrets about accepting the Miss USA 2023 crown following Noelia Voigt’s surprise resignation in early May, which trigged a domino effect within the organization.

“I can't speak on their experience, but I can only judge from mine and it has been nothing but great,” Gankiewicz tells PEOPLE. “I've had the best time of my life, the best three months of my life. I'm honestly so grateful that I took this opportunity and I didn't get scared to not take it.”

In her initial statement, Voigt cited her mental health as her reason for stepping down and an eight-page resignation letter obtained by numerous outlets alleged that among other things, the organization cultivated a toxic work environment, allegations CEO Laylah Rose has denied.

At first, her decision to accept the crown, which was announced just over a week after the resignation scandal began, was met with some pushback.

Related: Former Miss Tennessee USA Speaks Out After 2 Queens Surprisingly Resign: 'Very Courageous'

But, she says the initial negativity and backlash she faced was worth it in the end.

"I use it as a tool to show that no one can bring you down," Gankiewicz says. "You can just elevate yourself.”

In the process, she was also able to help her community in an important way, which means everything to her.

“I was able to shed light on the Maui wildfires and my non-profit,” she says. “I truly believe in the Miss USA organization. It has given me the tools I need for success, the growth I've experienced during this. I feel confident and empowered, and that's all I want other young women to feel.”

The former Miss Hawaii, initially the runner-up for the Miss USA 2023 crown, said her first thoughts when she heard about the resignation were with Voigt and her mental state. Then, she thought about how pageant protocol dictates that in the event the winner is unable, the first runner-up is supposed to step up.

Another thing on her mind? How her reign could benefit the people of Hawaii, in particular those who were devastated by the Maui fires that resulted in the leveling of tourist haven Lahaina.

During the state costume portion of the pageant, Gankiewicz wore a costume paying tribute to the victims of the wildfire and captured the Best State Costume. The dress was made in honor of the 150-year-old banyan tree that miraculously survived the fire.

“It felt so good to bring light to that situation because at the time, we needed the donations and I knew the banyan tree was the best (choice to do that),” Gankiewicz says.

Gankiewicz, who now makes her home in Bali while completing a resort project, says she grew up on Maui.  She remembers seeing the fires burning on the night of Aug. 8 and remembers the sounds of the gas stations blowing up in Lahaina.

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“Maui is a super small community, but everyone came together,” Gankiewicz says. “We raised over $12,000 in a short amount of time. We gave them gift cards so they were able to go out and pick their own stuff.”

While she did a lot to raise awareness for Maui during the pageant, she says the sad fact is that months afterward, it became old news. She says taking over the title in May helped her put a spotlight back on Maui, which is still struggling.

“I felt I had a platform now to help,” Gankiewicz says. “They said, honestly, at the end of the day, tell people to come to Maui. We need tourism. At the end of the day, tell people, come to Hawaii, come to Maui.“

On Sunday, Aug. 4, she will crown her successor.

The Miss USA 2024 competition will take place at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, Aug. 4, and will be aired on The CW. You can stream the event live on the official YouTube channel of Miss USA.

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