Pageant News Ticker II

Angel Whatley, 25, of Jackson was crowned Miss Mississippi USA on June 14. She will represent Mississippi in the Miss USA Pageant in February, 1998. Our thanks to the Pageant News Bureau.

Miss Conneaut, Kelly Ann Creager of Hamler, was crowned Miss Ohio on June 14 in Mansfield. She's a sophomore at Ohio Northern University in Ada, majoring in elementary education, and she sang "Remember Me This Way" for the talent competition. The first runner-up was Miss Greater Cleveland, Robin Bobal, 22, of Lakewood. The graduate of Case Western Reserve University now has the opportunity to represent her state at the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois later this summer. The second runner-up was Miss Mansfield, Althea Nadine Kilgore, 23, of Willard, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. The third runner-up was Miss Portsmouth, Heidi Julia York, 21, of Mansfield, a junior at the Ohio State University in Columbus; she was also Ohio's Junior Miss 1994. The fourth runner-up was Miss South Central Ohio, Courtney McCreary, 22, of Westerville, who is a junior at Ohio State University. This and all the following Miss America reports have come from Jeff Ripp. Our sincerest thanks to him for all his help.

Roxana Saberi of Fargo was crowned Miss North Dakota on June 14. The pageant, held in Williston, was held in its usual location, in the northeast corner of the state, which suffered the least damage from the recent devastating floods in North Dakota. Ms. Saberi will now represent her state at Miss America on September 13 in Atlantic City. The first runner-up was Tiffany Ann Burckhard of Minot, who now has the opportunity to represent her state at the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant, to be held in the late summer.

Miss Winona, Jennifer Ostergaard, 23, of Winona, was crowned Miss Minnesota on June 14 in Austin. This was her third attempt at the Miss Minnesota title, and she will now represent her state at Miss America on September 13. Her talent was a dramatic interpretation. The first runner-up was Miss South Central Minnesota, Rebekka Eisenmenger, who now has the opportunity to represent her state at the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Illinois. The second runner-up was Miss Coon Rapids, Natalie Lund, and the third runner-up was Miss Rochester, Katherine Hill. This was the 31st year that the pageant was held in Austin, and Miss America 1977, Minnesota's own Dororthy Benham, was guest emcee.

Miss Washtenaw County, Kimberly Stec, 19, of Rochester, was crowned Miss Michigan in Muskegon on June 14. Ms. Hughes, who performed a lyrical jazz dance for her talent, will compete at Miss America on September 13.

Miss North Shore, Samira Zebian, 20, of Westfield, was crowned Miss Massachusetts in New Bedford on June 14. The Boston College economic major won a $4,000 scholarship and will now compete at Miss America on September 13. The first runner-up was Miss Fall River, Kellie Stamp of Westport, a theatre arts major at Emerson College, who now has the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant. The second runner-up was Miss Bristol County, Jennifer Ann St. Laurent, of Freetown. The fourth runner-up was Miss New Bedford, Kari Kay Pina, whose mother, Mabel Bendiksen Pina, was Miss Massachusetts 1965.

Miss Hawai'i Island, Erika Leilani Kauffman, 18, of Kailue-Kona, was crowned Miss Hawai'i at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel in Honolulu on June 13. 1997 marked the 50th anniversary of the Miss Hawai'i Pageant. Ms. Kauffman sang "God Help The Outcasts" from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame as her talent, and will compete at Miss America on September 13 in Atlantic City.

Miss Bloomfield, Merissa Starnes, 20, of Bloomfield, was crowned Miss Connecticut at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Foxwoods. She was last year's fourth runner-up to, and succeeds, Stacy Perrone. She performed a lyrical ballet dance as her talent, and her platform for the year is Greater Awareness of Attention Deficit Disorder in Children. The first runner-up was Miss Greater New Haven, Nicole D'Amato, 17, of Wallingford, who now has the opportunity to compete in the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoppeston, Illinois.

Miss Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Beth Stomps, 20, was named Miss Alabama on June 14. The Mobile native who is a student at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama, sang "Love Changes Everything" as her talent. Her platform for the year is Supporting AIDS victims. She succeeds Allison McCreary, last year's third runner-up at Miss America. The first runner-up was Christine Chilton, 21, of Montevallo, who now has the opportunity to represent the state the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoppeston, Illinois. The second runner-up was Ashley Ann Halfman, 22, of Vestavia Hills, who was also Alabama's Junior Miss 1993. The third runner-up was Jenni Crumpton, and the fourth runner-up was Emily Amason. The pageant was held at Samford University in Birmingham.

From Curacao, news that Miss Curacao, Verna Vasquez, has left to do a photo shoot for Elite Models. She was approached to do the session by Monique Pillard of Elite Models, who was a judge at this year's Miss Universe pageant. In another story, Vanessa Brown, the only child of Annemarie Braafheid, Miss Curacao 1968, who was first runner-up in that year's Miss Universe pageant, has decided to compete for the title of Miss Universe Curacao this September. If she wins, she will compete at Miss Universe exactly thirty years after her mother. Our thanks to Arjay (Richard Isa).

Roselyn Silveira, a 21-year-old model from Venezuela, won the New Models International Pageant on June 14, 1997. The pageant, held in San Jose, Costa Rica, featured models from 26 countries in the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean. Silveira, who participated in the 1995 Miss Venezuela Pageant and finished as fifth runner-up, won a $60,000 contract with the Michelle Pommier Modeling Agency. Our sincerest thanks to Ed Dominguez.

Alison Catherine White, 17, of Millsboro, was crowned Miss Delaware on June 7 in Rehoboth Beach. She is a 1997 graduate of Millsboro High School and had planned to attend University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut in the fall. She will now represent Delaware in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in September. She sang a classical vocal, "O Mio Babbino Caro" in the talent competition which included 17 other women state-wide. The first runner-up was Miss Newark, Maria Teresa Martinez, 20, of Dover, Delaware, last year's third runner-up in the pageant.

Miss Cedar Valley, Sherry Riley, 18, of Clear Lake, has won the title of Miss Iowa on her first attempt. She is a freshman at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and sang "His Eye On The Sparrow" during talent competition. Her platform is Empowering Youth To Excellence, and she will represent Iowa in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City on September 13, 1997. The first runner-up was Miss Johnson County, Tanya Pennock, 22, of Iowa City who is originally from Rolla, Missouri. She won the Thursday night talent award with her baton/twirl routine to musical selections from the popular musical "Cats". She is a senior at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and has the opportunity to represent Iowa in the 1997 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois in September. The second runner-up is Miss Greater Des Moines, Lisa Diane Dondlinger, 22, of Des Moines, a first year graduate student at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She won the Friday night preliminary award with her classical violin performance of "Carmen's Fantasy" from the opera "Carmen". The pageant was held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport. Our gratitude to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Central Coast, Kathy Nejat, 20, of Voorhees won the title of Miss New Jersey. She won the Friday night talent award with her classical ballet performance of "The Dying Swan", as well as the Thursday night swimsuit preliminary. She is a student at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She will represent the host state in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. The Miss New Jersey Pageant was held in Ocean City. The first runner-up was Miss Garden Cities, Stacey Nowicki, 22, of Pomona, who now has the opportunity to represent the Garden State at the 1997 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant. The second runner-up was Miss Cumberland County, Rose Boyce, 22, of Delmont, who won the Community Service Award, the Thursday talent preliminary with her rendition of an operetic aria, and the Wednesday night preliminary swimsuit competition. The third runner-up was Miss Queen's City, Tiffany Williams, 23, of Plainfield. Miss Williams, a student at Northeastern School of Law, won the Wednesday night talent award by singing "I Am Changing" from "Dream Girls". The fourth runner-up was Miss Cherry Hill, Tricia Sloan, 19, of Glassboro. Our sincerest thanks to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Southern Idaho, Sherrie Lorraine Belnap, 20, of Roberts, Idaho was crowned Miss Idaho in Boise, Idaho. The first time pageant entrant performed a classical piano solo "Polonaise In A Flate Major" in the talent competition which included 10 other contestants. She was Rigby's Junior Miss 1995 but didn't place at the Idaho's Junior Miss Pageant that year. She is a 1997 graduate at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID, and will now represent Idaho in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City on Sept. 13. The first runner-up was Miss Gem County, Casady Ann Thies, 18, of Emmett, ID, who will now represent Idaho in the 1997 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in September in Hoopeston, Illinois. The second runner-up was Miss Eastern Idaho, Kimberly Dawn Neilen, 22, of Pocatello, ID, and the third runner-up was Miss Meridian, Juliet Joanna Jenkins, 22, of Boise. The Overall Interview Award went to Miss Gem County, Casady Ann Thies, and the Spirit Award was awarded to Miss Western Idaho, Mardine Aloa Wilson, 19, of Fruitland, ID. The all-important Community Service Award went to Miss Boise, Tammy Michelle Toney, 24, of Boise. Many, many thanks to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Western Nebraska, Kendra Quandt, 24, was crowned Miss Nebraska in North Platte. She was the Friday night preliminary talent winner with her rendition of Rachmaninoff's "Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Opus 3, No. 2". Her piano teacher was once a pupil taking lessons from Rachmaninoff who wrote Quandt's piano solo. She is a 1997 University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate with a degree in music education. She was the 1996 state pageant second runner-up and represented Nebraska last year at the 1996 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Illinois. This was her sixth attempt at the state title and will now represent Nebraska in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 13. Her platform during the coming year will be of encouraging youth to find alternatives to using alcohol and drugs. The first runner-up was Miss Capital City, Heather Michelle Heinzle, 22, of North Platte, who now has the opportunity to compete in the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Septmeber in Illinois. The second runner-up was Miss Omaha, Jennifer Zoucha, 21, of Columbus, while the third runner-up was Miss High Plains, Lindsay Miller, 22, of Omaha. The fourth runner-up was Miss Lake McConaughy, WaLynda Sipple, 23, of Mitchell, who was Miss Michigan Teen USA 1992. The Thursday Preliminary Talent Award went to Miss Lincoln, Stacey Elizabeth Barger, 23, of Wauneta, with a classical piano performance of "Introduction and Fugato In D Minor". This was her second attempt at the Miss Nebraska title and was Miss Nebraska T.E.E.N. 1992; the Friday Preliminary Talent Award was Miss Western Nebraska, Kendra Quandt; the Overall Talent Award also went to Ms. Quandt. The Overall Swimsuit Award was a tie between Miss Lake McConaughy, WaLynda Sipple, and Miss North Central, Wendy Leigh Koch, 18, of North Platte. The Community Service Award went to Miss Lincoln, Stacey Elizabeth Barger; the first runner-up was Miss Western Nebraska, Kendra Quandt, and the secnd runner-up was Miss High Plains, Lindsay Miller. A Special Scholarship Award to a contestant interested in the teaching profession, was awarded to two young ladies: Miss North Central, Wendy Leigh Koch, and Miss Tri-Cities, Nicole Rama, 19, of North Platte. Thank you again, Jeff Ripp.

Jeffie Lorraine Ventling, 24, of Laramie was crowned Miss Wyoming in Gillette. She is a senior at the University of Wyoming-Laramie. She is from Custer, South Dakota and has competed in the Miss South Dakota Pageant but has lived in Laramie for the last seven years. She sang a semi-classical vocal, "Think Of Me" from the "Phantom Of The Opera" in talent competition which included 13 other "at-large" delegates. She will now represent Wyoming in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City on Sept. 13, 1997. The first runner-up was Vanessa Margaratha Garnick, 18, of Moran, WY. She sang "No Can Do", a Carmen Miranda vocal for the talent portion of the pageant. Ms. Garnick now has the opportunity to compete in the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant this September in Hoopeston, Illinois. The second runner-up was Charity Dawn Stewart, 19, of Gillette. She performed a classical aria "Per La Gloria" as her talent. The Non-Finalist Talent Award went to Sara Marie Workman, 19, of Moorcroft, who sang "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". The Non-Finalist Interview Award went to Mindy Jo Baughman, 18, of Rock Springs, a student at Southern Utah State College in Cedar City, Utah. A million thanks to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Greater Kansas City, Lesley Diann Moss, 24, of Hoxie was crowned Miss Kansas in Pratt. She is a graduate student at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas and perfomed a pop/jazz vocal of Ella Fitzgerald's "You Have To Swing It Mr. Paginini" in talent competition which included 17 other pageant contestants. Her chosen platform during the coming year will be "leading youth into the 21st century". Last year she was chosen first runner-up to Miss Kansas 1996 Tara Dawn Holland who later became Miss America 1997. Miss Moss declined the offer of taking the state title, allowing second runner-up Jennifer Nicole Rolleg to assume the title. However, several days later Miss Rolleg also declined the title; both women based their decision on wishing to compete again for their own right to the title and to compete at the Miss America Pageant. The pageant's third runner-up, Miss Garden City, Jennifer Parks, 20, assumed the title at the homecoming ceremony of returning Miss America, Tara Dawn Holland in October. Miss Moss will now compete in the 1997 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City on Sept. 13, with hopes of becoming the second consecutive Miss Kansas to win the national title. The first runner-up was Miss Queen Of The Prairie, Jennifer Nicole Rolleg, 23, of Overland Park. She sang a Christian Vocal "His Eye On The Sparrow" in talent. Miss Rolleg now has the opportunity to compete in the 1997 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois, in September. The second runner-up was Miss Wheat Capital, Amanda Elise Wheeler, 19, of Wichita. The third runner-up was Miss Southern Kansas, Elizabeth Wacker, 23, of Syracuse, and the fourth runner-up was Miss Heartland, Jennifer Lynn Longbine, 20, of Anthony. The five semi-finalists were: Miss Kansas University-Lawrance, Jennifer Irene Vannetta, 22, of Leawood; Miss Western Kansas, Hilary Meyer, 17, of Dodge City; Miss Greater Wichita, Cammie Cristin Morriseau, 21, of Wichita; Miss Topeka, Julianne Richardson, 19, of Topeka; and Miss Manhattan K-State, Deana Rae Teske, 22, of St. Mary's. The Thursday Preliminary Talent Award went to Miss Queen Of The Prairie, Jennifer Nicole Rolleg; the Thursday Preliminary Swimsuit Award went to Miss Greater Kansas City, Lesley Diann Moss; the Friday Preliminary Talent Award went to Miss Wheat Capital, Amanda Elise Wheeler, who sang "And I Am Telling You" from "Dream Girls"; the Friday Preliminary Swimsuit Award went to Miss Greater Wichita, Cammie Cristin Morriseau. Thanks to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Malden, Michele Eise, 24, of St. Louis, Missouri was crowned Miss Missouri in Mexico, Missouri. Her platform for the coming year will be to encouraging youth to unlock their potential. She sang a Christian Vocal, "How Great Thou Art" in talent competition and was the Friday night preliminary swimsuit winner. She is a student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The first runner-up was Miss Jackson, Stefanie Hammersmith, 20, of St. Louis, and the second runner-up was Miss Branson, Amy Wood, 20, of Branson. Miss Hammersmith will now have the opportunity to compete in the 1997 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois in September. Sincerest thanks to Jeff Ripp.

Miss Butler County, Heather Nicole Busin, 20, of Poland, Ohio was crowned Miss Pennsylvania in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She is a student at Grove City College in Butler, Pennsylvania who sang "Part Of Your World" in talent competition. She plans to champion her platform of family literacy. The first runner-up was Miss Mountain Laurel, Amy Akers, 23, of Macedonia, Ohio. The second runner-up was Miss Philadelphia, Stacy Clay-Lambrose, 20, of Philadelphia. The third runner-up was Miss Susquehanna Valley, Jami Kathleen Vitale, 23, of Bristol, and the fourth runner-up was Miss Keystone, Melissa Ann Jeka, 20, of Warminska. The five semi-finalists were: Miss Allegheny Valley, Myra Acosta, Miss Cumberland Valley, Debbie Green, Miss Northeast Pennsylvania, Christine Wolfe, Miss Northwest Pennsylvania, Laurie Green, and Miss York County, Marnie Sue Santinello. There was a tie for the Non-Finalist Talent Award between Miss Armstrong County, Kristen Strouse and Miss Three Rivers, Mary Louise Kearney, and the Non-Finalist Interview award went to Miss Lancaster County, Leslie Sherk, and the Miss Pennsylvania Healthy Smile Award was awarded to Miss Butler County, Heather Busin. Many, many, many thanks to Jeff Ripp.

In Miss USA state pageants, Connie Harrole has been crowned Miss Rhode Island USA. The first runner-up was Alexia Kiamos, and the second runner-up was Erika Kruise. The third runner-up was Claire DeSimone and the fourth runner-up was Julia Riordan. The other 7 semi-finalists were Kim Muzzy, Jennifer Park, Barrie Bilodeau, Gabrielle Washington, Christy Driscoll, Cindy McElhiney, and Alicia Lombardi. There was a tie for Miss Photogenic between Stephanie Gordon and Kelly Weatherbee, and Miss Congeniality was Julia Riordan.

Stevie Ficker, 15, of Newberg won the Miss Oregon Teen USA title on June 3. The first runner-up was Bonnie Trink, and the second runner-up was Ashley Cress.

Vicki Hughes, 18, of Las Cruces won the Miss New Mexico Teen USA title on June 3. The first runner-up was Russha Martin, 15, and the second runner-up was Melodie Smith, 17. The third runner-up was Yvonne Sandoval, 16, and the fourth runner-up was Alina Ogle, 15.

Lauren Alviti, 17, won the Miss Rhode Island Teen USA title on June 1. The first runner-up was Shana Jones, and the second runner-up was Marissa Brotherton. The third runner-up was Gina Russo, and the fourth runner-up was Julie Brittain. The remaining 10 semi-finalists were Hollie Winnard, Leeann Tingley, Candace Miller, Kristen Pope, Erica Vocatura, Jacqueline Gervais, Jaime Lynn Castelli, Nisha Talwar, Tricia Lanni, and Grace Khouri. Melissa Taylor was named Miss Photogenic, and Miss Congeniality was Allyson DePetrillo.

Cheri Wheeler, 16, of Savannah won the Miss Georgia Teen USA title on May 25 in Atlanta. Tanaya Greer was first runner-up, Midori Thompson was second runner-up, Dawn Davenport was third runner-up, and Lucy McWhorter was fourth runner-up. Our thanks again to the Pageant News Bureau.

Jason Erceg, 27, of Auckland, New Zealand won the Manhunt International title in Singapore on May 23, 1997. He is the first New Zealander in the pageant's four-year history to even place in the top 10. Erceg, who succeeds Albe Geldenhuys of South Africa, is a building contractor who even designed a summer home for Italian designer Gianni Versace. He takes home $115,000 worth of prizes, including a $30,000 modeling contract. The first runner-up was Manhunt Venezuela, Sandro Finocchio, and the second runner-up was Manhunt Philippines, Vincent Pinto. The third runner-up was Manhunt Puerto Rico, Johnathan Rojas, and the fourth runner-up was Manhunt India, Zulfi Syed Ahmad. The five semi-finalists were: Manhunt Panama, Francisco Jimenez, Manhunt USA, Brian Donnellan, Manhunt Singapore, Kevin Chiak, Manhunt Turkey, Kamil Fidan, and Manhunt Cyprus, Niasides Marios. Seven awards were presented to the contestants: the Mr. Physique Award went to Jason Erceg, Manhunt New Zealand; the Mr. Fitness and Best in National Costume awards went to Sandro Finocchio, Manhunt Venezuela; the Best Groomed award went to Manhunt Singapore, Kevin Chiak; Mr. Personality was voted to be Manhunt Cyprus, Niasides Marios; the Best in Talent award was Manhunt Philippines, Vincent Pinto; and Mr. Popularity was voted to be Manhunt Uruguay, Fernando Etchevarne. An estimated 500 million people in 40 countries saw the pageant live or by tape delay. Thanks to Alex Liu, president of Manhunt International, for this information.

Jill Cummings, 19, of Montgomery was crowned Miss Vermont on May 10 in Burlington. A former Broadway singer, she will compete at Miss America this September. The pageant was almost terminated this year after leadership for the pageant could not be found. The dedication of hundreds of unpaid volunteers kept the program afloat, and allowed the state to send a representative after all. Our congratulations to the new queen and the legion of volunteers who made the pageant a success. The first runner-up was 24-year-old Melissa Perry, of Burlington, and the second runner-up was Jennifer Ross, 19, of Springfield.

Michelle Lamontagne, 22, Miss Merrimack, was crowned Miss New Hampshire on May 2, and will compete in the Miss America pageant this September. A charming vocalist who sang Patsy Cline's "Crazy" in the talent competition, she is a graduate student at New Hampshire College majoring in Business Education. In addition to winning the title, Ms. Lamontagne also received the Community Service, Congeniality, and Interview Awards, giving her over $14,000 in scholarship money! The first runner-up was Heidi Marie Noyes, Miss Capital Area, 22, of Laconia. The second runner-up was Miss Derry, Candice Alana Royal, 22, of Londonderry. The third runner-up was 21-year-old Miss Kingston, Brandee Helbick, of Atkinson, and fourth runner-up was 22-year-old Miss Winnipesaukee, Danielle Marie Jean, of Derry. The Miss New Hampshire program awards the most scholarship assistance in the Northeastern United States.

The second Miss America state preliminary was Miss Rhode Island, held on April 19. The winner was Kelly Jo Roarke, of Cranston. She's a 24-year-old graduate of Troy State University. The first runner-up was Heather Picard, and the second runner-up was Loral Sims, while the third runner-up was Barrie Ann Bilodeau, and the fourth runner-up was Misti Michael. Our thanks to PNB and TFTJ.

The first state preliminary for Miss America concluded on April 18 with Michelle Titus being crowned Miss Alaska. The 19-year-old brunette who hails from Fairbanks and is a sophomore at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks sang the popular vocal "Memories" for the talent competition. Ms. Titus won a $7,000 scholarship and will represent the state at Miss America 1998 on September 13. The first runner-up was Brianna Hammes of Chugiak, who was selected as the overall talent winner for her performance of a gymnastic roller skate routine. Ms. Hammes is a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alaska-Anchorage and won a $2,000 scholarship. The second runner-up was Crystal Reed, 18, of Anchorage, a high school senior who will be a freshman at the University of Alaska-Anchorage next fall, who also won a $1,000 scholarship. Five other contestants competed for the title, including Alaska's Junior Miss 1996, Lisa Lucas. Our sincere thanks to Jeff Ripp.

On May 3, Tara Tucker, 18, of Pelham was crowned Miss Alabama Teen USA. She succeeds Luann Roberts, last year's winner, and will compete at Miss Teen USA this August. The following day, Mobile native Paige Brooks, 25, was crowned Miss Alabama USA. She will represent the Crimson Tide state at Miss USA next February, and succeeds Autumn Smith, Miss Alabama USA 1996, who was a semi-finalist at Miss USA this year. Our thanks to the Pageant News Bureau.

Another former Miss Teen USA has made the last step towards being crowned Miss USA. In 1993, it was the 1985 winner, Kelly Hu of Hawaii. Last year, it was Brandi Sherwood, Miss Teen USA 1989 of Idaho. This year, Jamie Solinger of Altoona won the title of Miss Iowa USA and will compete in Miss USA next February. Ms. Solinger was Miss Teen USA 1992. The first runner-up was Hope Plains of Wheatland, and second runner-up was Nicole McPherren of Des Moines. Another big thank you to PNB one more time for this info.

Sarah Sucher of Urbandale was crowned Miss Iowa Teen USA on April 20. She'll compete at Miss Teen USA in August in a location yet to be announced. The first runner-up was Katy Von Ahsen of Jefferson, and second runner-up was Marcy Foster of Clarinda. Our thanks again to PNB.

The people of Hawaii are keeping their fingers crossed that their home-state girl, Brook Lee, Miss USA will win the Miss Universe Pageant, which is rapidly approaching. But another young woman from the Aloha State who has the chance to sweep into the spotlight in the coming months is readying herself for competition as well. She is Mahana Ka'ahumanu Walters, Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1997. We'd like to take this opportunity to wish her good luck and all the best in representing Hawaii at Miss Teen USA.