CORNHUSKER CAPTURES THE CROWN

Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska, is the new Miss America 2011. She gives the Cornhusker state its first-ever Miss America crown. 17-year-old Scanlan won after strutting in a black bikini and a white evening gown, playing “White Water Chopped Sticks” on piano and telling the audience that when it comes to the website Wikileaks, security should come before public access to government information. First runner-up was Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady. Second runner-up was Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier, third runner-up was Miss Washington Jacquie Brown, and fourth runner-up was Miss Oklahoma Emoly West. Miss America celebrated its 90th anniversary this year and was held at the Theater for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The hosts were Chris Harrison, of "The Bachelor" fame, as well as model and "Dancing With the Stars" alum Brooke Burke. The pageant, which is distinct from the Miss USA crown, aims "to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community," according to the Miss America website. (Sources: AP, CNN, and Getty Images)