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Just 17, Nebraskan Wins Miss America

Teresa Scanlan takes the crown

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2011 12:19 AM CST

(Newser) – There she is, Miss America: Teresa Scanlan can't legally vote, the AP notes, but the 17-year-old Nebraskan won enough to take the crown home to the Cornhusker state for the first time. "I want to be there making sure that I stand up for what's right, stand up for integrity and honesty," Teresa said after her win. She adds that she'll register to vote as an independent after she turns 18 next month.

Teresa told judges that in the case of WikiLeaks, security came before the public's right to know. The recent high school grad plans to eventually go to law school, and is eying a career in law or politics. "Attorneys and politicians are looked down on and have terrible reputations for being greedy and power hungry and I really think it's important for people who have their heart and mind in the right place get into those powerful positions," Teresa said. She's the youngest Miss America since the pageant implemented age limits in 1938.

From left, Emoly Wes, Miss Oklahoma, Kayla Martell, Miss Delaware, Djuan Keila Trent, Miss Kentucky and Jalee Fuselier, Miss Hawaii, wait for their turn to perform in the talent competition during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
From left, Emoly Wes, Miss Oklahoma, Kayla Martell, Miss Delaware, Djuan Keila Trent, Miss Kentucky and Jalee Fuselier, Miss Hawaii, wait for their turn to perform in the talent competition during the...   (Julie Jacobson)
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska waves to the audience after being crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska waves to the audience after being crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska is crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska is crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska waves to the audience after being crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska waves to the audience after being crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
The five remaining finalists, from left, Jalee Fuselier, Miss Hawaii, Jacquie Brown, Miss Washington, Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska, Emoly West, Miss Oklahoma and Alyse Eady, MIss Arkansas, stand together during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas. Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska was named Miss America 2011....
The five remaining finalists, from left, Jalee Fuselier, Miss Hawaii, Jacquie Brown, Miss Washington, Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska, Emoly West, Miss Oklahoma and Alyse Eady, MIss Arkansas, stand together...   (Julie Jacobson)
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska reacts after being named Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska reacts after being named Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
Alyse Eady, Miss Arkansas, performs a ventriloquist act in the talent competition during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Alyse Eady, Miss Arkansas, performs a ventriloquist act in the talent competition during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska is crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.
Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska is crowned Miss America 2011 during the Miss America pageant, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 in Las Vegas.   (Julie Jacobson)
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(That) was based on espionage, and when it comes to the security of our nation, we have to focus on security first and then people's right to know, because it's so important that everybody who's in our borders is safe.
- Teresa Scanlan on the WikiLeaks scandal

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My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
pg13
Jan 16, 2011 3:05 PM CST
Why no bikini pics of her?
vapidvortex
Jan 16, 2011 12:12 PM CST
They should be nude in this day and age and maybe people might watch.
Daniela23
Jan 16, 2011 12:03 PM CST
Oh great! Let's make her forget about the value of an education while she's still young by giving her a crown because she's so damn pretty! Leaked nude pics released in 3...2...1... Okay, that would just be wrong!
 

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