New Black Miss America 2010 Winner

Last night, the new Miss America 2010 was crowned before an audience in Las Vegas Nevada.

The competition was composed of representatives from all 50 states plus D.C., the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The event was televised on TLC (you may be able to catch it again by viewing the upcoming schedules here).

Out of all 53 states, one young lady, 22-year-old Caressa Cameron of Fredericksburg, VA, stood out from the rest. With her shining eyes, poise, and elegance, she grabbed the attention, and votes, of the judges on hand, including former Miss America Katie Harman, Olympian Shawn Johnson, Brooke White of American Idol fame, musician Dave Koz, the actress Vivica A Fox, and radio commentator Rush Limbaugh.

Limbaugh raised a few eyebrows when he suddenly jumped up and started dancing wildly to Lady Gaga's song "Poker Face." See the video and judge Limbaugh's moves for yourself here.

At the end of the event, it came down to four lovely contestants, including Miss California Kristy Cavinder who was the runner up ($25,000 prize).

Cameron sang, strutted, and eloquently spoke her way to the crown. She wore a beautiful svelte yellow dress in the final segment.

When asked how we can help stop childhood obesity (which now affects over 16% of kids in America ages 6-19) during the question and answer segment, Cameron gave a smart yet simple answer: get the kids away from the TV and back outside. "Expand your mind, go outside and get to see what this world is like."

The beautiful Cameron, a college student from Virgina Commonwealth University studying broadcast journalism, seemed genuinely shocked and humbled by the announcement. She credited her family's strength with her win. She will now take the $50,000 cash prize and rein as Miss America for the next year.

She is also the first black Miss America since Ericka Dunlap of Florida in 2004 . Ms. Cameron has now joined this exclusive club of black Miss America winners to make it an "elite 8."

Congratulations to the new Miss America 2010 winner, Caressa Cameron!

Sources:

Miss Virginia crowned Miss America 2010
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35157937/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/

Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts
http://www.childrenshospitals.net/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Site_Map3&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=49561