News / People
Lauren Nelson, Miss Oklahoma, Crowned Miss America
For the second straight year Miss America hails from Oklahoma. Lauren Nelson was crowned by last years Miss America, Jennifer Berry.
Speaking after receiving her crown, Nelson said “I watched Miss America as a little girl since I was 2 years old, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be one of those girls on that stage, and never did I think that I would be Miss America.”
Nelson, a 20-year-old blonde from Lawton, Oklahoma will receive a $50,000 scholarship and could collect a lot more than that in endorsements and appearance fees. She is currently attending the University of Central Oklahoma.
Among her goals for her year-long reign as Miss America, Nelson plans to promote the protection of children online.
First runner-up went to Silah Phillips, the first black Miss Texas. Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak was named second runner-up. It was a southern affair in the final group of five as Miss Mississippi, Taryn Foshee, and Miss Alabama, Melinda Toole were center stage for the crowning.
Dancing with the Stars finalist Mario Lopez hosted the Las Vegas pageant. For the second year in a row Miss America was crowned at the Aladdin Resort & Casino.
