Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept 21: Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap beat out 50 rivals to be crowned Miss America in a pageant that featured some of the brainiest contestants that judges have seen in years. Dunlap wins a Rhinestone Tiara, $50,000 in scholarship aid, a yearlong national speaking tour and - after it - the permanent tag of 'former Miss America.'
Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson was first runner-up and Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer was second runner-up at yesterday's ceremony. Miss Maryland Marina Harrison and Miss California Nicole Lamarche rounded out the final five.
The daughter of a roofing contractor and a nurse, Dunlap aspires to go to law school when she graduates and become an attorney specializing in sports and entertainment.
Dunlap defeated rivals with impressive academic credentials.
Sauerhammer has a medical degree at age 22; Miss Virginia Nancy Redd and Miss Rhode Island Laurie Gray, are both recent Harvard University graduates; and Miss New Mexico Rana Jones, is a second-year law student.
Dunlap was crowned by Miss America 2003 Erika Harold, 23, of Urbana, Illinois, who won the title last year after delaying her entry to Harvard Law School.

Bureau Report