Just 17, Nebraskan Wins Miss America

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. (More Miss America stories.)