Pageant News Bureau

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u

Commanding heights

Photos by Joe Whiteko / PNB

The very names of these places drip with power. Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. New York (or at least its biggest city) has been called the capital of the world. It doesn't get much bigger than that.

But are they pageant capitals? Yes!

Shayna Rudd is crowned by Kate Michael (above) and competes in swimsuit (left)

Shayna Rudd and Kate Michael

When the new Miss America is crowned in late January 2008, she could be one of these power-center players: Shayna Rudd of D.C. or Elizabeth Baldanza of New York state.

Both states have a long history of success at Miss America, going back to the earliest days of this almost legendary pageant. There are plenty of beauties in the mix this year, but if Miss America wants to return to its era of glory, it could do worse than these two. Too bad it can't choose them both.

Elisabeth Baldanza being crowned by Bethlene Pancoast

Elisabeth Baldanza and Maria DeSantis

Miss New York's top five

George Washington, that great man on the dollar, was inaugurated in New York. He gave his name to Washington. And this pageant season, PNB (in the person of legendary photographer Joe Whiteko) followed in Washington's footsteps. We went to D.C. and saw Shayna Rudd crowned, and we went to New York and saw Elizabeth Baldanza take the tiara. And the hospitality was worth a million dollars.

And the lesson is "Good places make for good pageants." That's why we love Vegas. See you there.

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u