ATLANTIC CITY (AP) — Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap beat out 50 rivals Saturday to be crowned Miss America in a pageant that featured some of the brainiest contestants that judges have seen in years.
Dunlap wins a rhinestone tiara, a runway walk, $50,000 in scholarship aid, a yearlong national speaking tour and — after it — the permanent tag of "former Miss America."
Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson was first runnerup and Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer was second runnerup. Miss Maryland Marina Harrison and Miss California Nicole Lamarche rounded out the final five.
When her name was announced, Dunlap gasped, held her hands to her face and exclaimed "Oh, my God" several times.
Dunlap won both the evening gown and the talent portion of the competition, singing "If I Could." She correctly answered five of eight questions on a pop quiz given to the five finalists.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-09-20-miss-america_x.htm
Dunlap wins a rhinestone tiara, a runway walk, $50,000 in scholarship aid, a yearlong national speaking tour and — after it — the permanent tag of "former Miss America."
Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson was first runnerup and Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer was second runnerup. Miss Maryland Marina Harrison and Miss California Nicole Lamarche rounded out the final five.
When her name was announced, Dunlap gasped, held her hands to her face and exclaimed "Oh, my God" several times.
Dunlap won both the evening gown and the talent portion of the competition, singing "If I Could." She correctly answered five of eight questions on a pop quiz given to the five finalists.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-09-20-miss-america_x.htm