Two months after being crowned Miss Massachusetts USA 2026, a University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate will compete at the Miss United States pageant on Aug. 27 in Miami — where she’ll represent a look no state titleholder has worn to the crown before hers: braids. Kayshauna Montaño, 28, a former New England Patriots cheerleader, won her Miss Massachusetts title in June while competing as Miss Hampshire County, a name she chose to honor where she received her education. “At the Miss Universe level, you actually see a lot of women compete in braids. But I know that for the United States, especially in the Miss USA system, it wasn’t quite done as much,” she said. Kayshauna Montaño, who was crowned Miss Massachusetts USA 2026 in June while competing as Miss Hampshire County, will compete at the Miss United States pageant in Miami on Aug. 27.