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Photo: Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella poses for a photo during the Chinese Laundry and Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella debut of the Spring 2012 Collection on August 3, 2011 in New York City.

Last night, the unlikely happened in Las Vegas, Nevada when Miss California Alyssa Campenella, a self-professed “huge science geek,” was selected to be the next Miss USA. The pageant appeared on my radar Friday afternoon when Bora Zivkovic tweeted that the Miss USA pageant contestants had been asked a science-related question, “Should evolution be taught in schools?”

Subsequently, much of the internet chatter focused on the contestants from states known for their anti-evolution policies such as Kansas, Texas and Kentucky. I decided to go the other route and find out which of these women supported the teaching of evolution. I was disheartened to find that only a few of them really understood the issue. Many were apparently unaware that evolution is currently taught in schools. And, most of them thought creationism or “the other side” should be taught, as well.

The pre-pageant interviews revealed how much work remains to be done in order to improve science literacy in America. However, Campanella’s answer demonstrated that she possesses a respectable appreciation and understanding of science.

Her forthright and honest, not to mention scientifically accurate, answer established her geek status even before the pageant. She reinforced her geek credentials during the pageant by deftly answering a question about whether the U.S. should legalize the use of marijuana:

“Well, I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today’s economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically,” she said.

“I’m not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war,” she said. “I mean, it’s abused today, unfortunately, so that’s the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it’s OK.”

I believe in Campanella we will have a science ambassador representing us in the Miss Universe pageant come September and you better believe I’ll be supporting her. My only hope is that someone will get her to talk about science a little more so the next generation will know that beauty and intelligence are one and the same.

Alyssa Campanella, a 21-year-old auburn-haired California girl, won the Miss USA crown on Sunday night.

Campanella, who is from Los Angeles, topped a field of 51 beauty queens to take the title at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. She will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant in September in Brazil.

Campanella won after strutting across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots and a dark turquoise evening gown with beading on its top.

She also answered a question about legalizing marijuana by saying she didn't think it should be fully legalized as a solution to help ailing economies.

"Well, I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today's economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically," she said. "I'm not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war. I mean, it's abused today, unfortunately, so that's the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it's OK."

Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham was the first runner-up. Contestants from Alabama and Texas placed third and fourth.

The ceremony was hosted by TV personalities Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic.

"Fashion Police" hosts Kelly Osbourne and Susie Castillo provided fashion commentary throughout the pageant, while the judging panel included "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Caroline Manzo, TV chef Rocco DiSpirito, Dallas Mavericks star Tyson Chandler and rapper Lil Jon.

Campanella replaces Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih. The Michigan woman teared up as she walked across the stage for a final goodbye.

The pageant had three competitions: swimsuit, evening gown and interview questions.

The contestants were whittled to 16 after the show's opening number, in which the beauty queens introduced themselves one-by-one. The top 16 were picked by preliminary judges through competitions and interviews during the week before the telecast. Judges picked the top eight after the swimsuit competition and the top 4 after the evening gown portion.

Below are the latest update of Miss USA 2011 Contestants. The Finale will be held in Las Vegas on June 19, 2011. Information on contestants will be: the state, name of the contestatant, hometown, age, height and some note about the contestant (if available). Click on the link on each contestant to see the State Pageant result and updated photos of the contestants. We welcome feedback from the contestants themselves, family’s members and friends to correct and complete the infomation.




Alabama : Madeline Mitchell, Russellville, 22, 5’8″
Alaska : Jessica Chuckran, Anchorage, 23, Contestant at National Sweetheart 2008
Arizona : Brittany Brannon, Paradise Valley, 21, 5’5, “Previously Miss Teen America 2007.
Arkansas : Lakynn McBride, Little Rock.
California : Alyssa Campanella, Hillsborough, 20, 5’8″, Previously Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007 and 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2007.
Colorado : Blair Griffith, Lakewood, 22, 5’5″, Previously Miss Colorado Teen USA 2006.
Connecticut : Regina Turner, Old Saybrook, 21.
Delaware : Katie Hanson, Newark, 20.
District of Columbia: Heather Swann, Washington, 22.
Florida : Lissette Garcia, Miami, 25, 5’11″. Represented Cuba in Reina Hispanoamericana 2007 and made Top 8.
Georgia : Kaylin Reque Suwanee, 22.
Hawaii : Angela Byrd, Honolulu, 23, 5’10″.
Idaho: Erza Haliti Boise, 24, Born in Kosovo.
Illinois : Angela Sparrow, Chicago, 25, 5’8″.
Indiana : Jillian Wunderlich Kokomo, 19, 5’6″, Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 2008 and top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2008.
Iowa: Rebecca Goldsmith, Chariton, 26, 5’8″.
Kansas : Jaymie Stokes, Lenexa, 19, 5’11″, Previously Miss Kansas Teen USA 2007 and top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2007.
Kentucky : Kia Hampton, Louisville, 21, 5’5″.
Louisiana : Page Pennock, Baton Rouge, 20, 5’10″.
Maine: Ashley Lynn Marble, Topsfield, 26, 5’10″, Previously Miss Maine Teen USA 2000, originally the first runner up but took over after Emily Johnson resgined due to a family emergency.
Maryland : Allyn Rose, Waldorf, 22, 5’9″.
Massachusetts: Alida D’Angona, Bolton, 23, 5’8″.
Michigan : Channing Pierce, Royal Oak, 23, 5’9″.
Minnesota : Brittany Thelemann, Minnetonka.
Mississippi : Keeley Patterson, Starkville, 19.
Missouri : Hope Driskill, Jefferson City, 21, 5’9″.
Montana : Brittany Wiser, Bozeman, 22, previously Miss Montana 2009.
Nebraska : Haley Herold, Omaha, 23.
Nevada : Sarah Chapman, Las Vegas, 26, 5’10″, top 15 at Miss California USA 2010, Miss California USA 2009 4th runner up, top 10 at Miss California USA 2008 and 2007, and sister of Miss California USA 2004 Ellen Chapman.
New Hampshire: LacyJane Folger, Hampton Beach, 21.
New Jersey : Julianna White, Haddonfield, 21, 5’7″, previously Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2006 and top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2006.
New Mexico : Brittany Toll, Las Cruces, 24, 5’9″, Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2005 and top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2005 and a 2009 Teach For America corps member.
New York: Amber Collins, New York City, 26.
North Carolina: Brittany York, Wilmington, 20.
North Dakota: Brandi Schoenberg, Mohall, 20.
Ohio: Ashley Caldwell, Gallipolis, 23.
Oklahoma : Kaitlyn Smith, Norman, 22.
Oregon : Anna Prosser, Portland, 25, contestant at National Sweetheart 2008.
Pennsylvania : Amber Watkins, Philadelphia, 26, 5′ 7″.
Rhode Island : Kate McCaughey, Lincoln, 22.
South Carolina: Courtney Turner, North Augusta, 20, previously Miss Teen United States 2009.
South Dakota : Chandra Burnham, Highmore, 22.
Tennessee : Ashley Durham, Adamsville, 20, 5’9″, previously Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2006.
Texas : Ana Rodriguez, Laredo, 24, 5’8″.
Utah: Jamie Crandall, Salt Lake City, 24, 5’8″.
Vermont : Lauren Carter, Burlington, 21, 5’8″.
Virginia : Nikki Poteet, Chester, 23, 5’10″.
Washington : Angelina Kayyalaynen, Vancouver, 21, born in Ukraine.
West Virginia : Whitney Veach, Petersburg, 23, 5’5″, previously Miss West Virginia Teen USA 2003.
Wisconsin : Shaletta Porterfield, Madison, 25, 5’10″.
Wyoming : Kaitlyn Davis, Laramie, 5’9″.

Miss Nebraska Teresa Scanlan, 17, donned the crown as Miss America 2011 on Saturday night in Las Vegas, following in the footsteps of last year's queen, Caressa Cameron out of Virginia.

The winner of a $50,000 scholarship, she plans to go to law school and hopes to go into politics.

"At this point, attorneys and politicians are looked down on and have terrible reputations for being greedy and power hungry," the teen said, "and I really think it's important for people who have their heart and mind in the right place get into those powerful positions."

And how did she charm the judges, aside from the gown and swimsuit? She played the piano, and told judges she thinks security trumps the public's right to knowledge when it comes to leaked government information.

Scanlan is the first Miss America from Nebraska in the competition's 90 years. Her beauty queen diet? "I never passed up a cookie on my journey here," she said.

Nebraska’s 17-year-old Teresa Scanlan was named Miss America on Saturday becoming the youngest winner ever in the pageant’s history after a night of being judged for poise, talent, fitness and knowledge.

Scanlan wowed the judges wearing a stunning white evening gown and tickling the ivories on piano with rousing rendition of “White Water Chopped Sticks” in the talent competition.

In the final question, she was asked about the leaking of confidential government information by website WikiLeaks and whether U.S. security or the people’s right to know sensitive information was more important.


Scanlan saw the leaks as a matter of espionage and said:

“When it comes to the security of our nation, we have to focus on security first and then people’s right to know ... We can’t let things like that happen, and they must be handled properly, and I think that was the case.”

The first runner-up, who will take Miss America’s place in the case Scanlan can’t perform her new role, was Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady.


Among other noteworthy contestants was Miss Delaware, Kayla Martell, who made it into the semifinals. Martell suffers from a disease, alopecia areata, that caused her to lose all her hair at age 10, and she competed in a wig.

This year marked the 90th pageant in the history of Miss America. The organization runs achievement programs and is a major provider of scholarship assistance for young women. In 2010, the group and its state and local affiliates helped give out more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.

Fifty-three women were chosen from states and territories across the country in local contests before they headed to Las Vegas and the final pageant on Saturday.


As Miss America, Scanlan will take the next year to travel the United States and raise awareness about eating disorders.

Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron from Virginia, 22, was a goodwill ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network, and she spent the year helping raise awareness for HIV/AIDS.

In the week ahead of Saturday’s competition, contestants were judged in preliminary events for evening wear, fitness and swimsuits and answer questions in an interview.

From those events, 11 semifinalists were chosen to compete on Saturday night. Joining them were four other contestants — two picked by online voting and two others by the remaining young women in the pageant.

The 15 semifinalists were narrowed on Saturday in contests that again include evening wear, fitness and swimsuits, talent and a final on-stage question for the top five women. Then, the top five were ranked to get to the new Miss America.

This year, seven panelists judged contestants in the final round as they answered their question in 20 seconds. The judges — including TV talk show co-host Joy Behar, “Dancing With the Stars” professional dancer Tony Dovolani, and “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry, among others — watched for confidence, knowledge and quick thinking in formulating an answer.

Joining Miss Nebraska and Arkansas among the five finalists were women from Hawaii, Washington and Oklahoma.

The show included a rousing opening musical number by all 53 contestants, and it was hosted by TV personalities Brooke Burke and Chris Harrison. - Reuters