January 31st, 2010

Caressa Cameron has won the Miss America 2010 pageant.  Every year, contestants from every state in the United States compete for the coveted title that has been given out every year since 1921.

This years judges included Rush Limbaugh and Viveca Fox.  The competition is actually a “scholarship” competition – not a beauty pageant like so many people assume.

Caressa Cameron is from Virginia, and has won a $50,000 scholarship.  She sang Beyonce’s “Listen”, which was featured in “Dreamgirls.” She also mentioned that children should go outside more.

The competition has contestants from all 50 states, plus the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC.  The pageant started with all 53 contestants dancing to “I Gotta Feeling” from the Black Eyed Peas.

Miss California Kristy Cavinder was the first runner up, and won $25,000.  In addition to the $50,000 grand prize, Miss Virginia also won $2,000 for the talent competition.

Prior to 2006, the Miss America competition was held in Atlantic City.  The competition is now held in Las Vegas.

The Miss America pageant is typically confused with the Miss USA Pageant.  The winner of Miss USA heads on to the Miss Universe pageant, not Miss America.  Instead of a beauty competition, this is a “scholarship” competition.  The winner will use her $50,000 towards tuition at the college of her choosing.

Source:

Miss America Official Web Site