Emilie Lindblom, 20, won the Miss Bern 2008 pageant on May 11, 2008. She will represent the Swiss capital in Miss Switzerland 2008 on Sept. 27, 2008. She is the first delegate chosen for Miss Switzerland 2008.

Siera Robertson, 18, was crowned Miss Guam Universe on May 9, 2008. The first runner-up was Jennifer Neves, and the second runner-up was Danielle Leon Guerrero.

Lisa Lazarous, 20, of Llanelli, Wales, was crowned Miss Universe UK 2008 on May 3, 2008, in London. The first runner-up was Holly Ann Hill, and the second runner-up was Jamie Williams.

Rebeca Moreno, 22, was crowned Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2008 (Miss El Salvador Universe) on May 2, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe.

Karol Castillo, 18, representing Trujillo, was crowned Miss Peru Universo 2008 on May 1, 2008. She will represent Peru in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Miss Loreto, Giuliana Zevallos, 20. Miss Peru World University 2008 was Miss Cusco, Claudia Carrasco, 20. Miss Peru Continente Americano 2008 was Miss Lima, Jimena Espinoza, 19.

Samantha Tajik, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, was crowned Miss Canada Universe 2008 on April 28, 2008, in Toronto. The first runner-up was Sahar Biniaz, and the second runner-up was Aleksandra Malkin. The third runner-up was LIna Lombana, and the fourth runner-up was Genida Prifti.

Wendy Grandell, a 32-year-old teacher, was crowned Mrs. Texas United States on April 27, 2008, in Frisco, Texas. She also won Mrs. Photogenic. She competed as Mrs. DFW. She will now compete in the Mrs. United States Pageant in July 2008 in Las Vegas. The first runner-up was Kayla Wharton, and the second runner-up was Jennifer Johnson. The third runner-up was Michelle Fredrickson, and the fourth runner-up was Sheila Elliott. Mrs. Wharton was the swimsuit winner. Sheila Elliott was the Internet People's Choice winner. Wendy Feichtinger was Mrs. Congeniality. Mrs. Fredrickson won Best Smile. Mrs. Wharton sold the most raffle tickets for the Autism Speaks fundraiser.

Diana Barraza, 21, was crowned Miss Honduras Universe 2008 on April 26, 2008, in Tela, Honduras. She will represent Honduras in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Belgica Suarez Arias, and the second runner-up was Kathy Fairweather. The third runner-up was was Glenda Osorio, and the fourth runner-up was Eyli Elvir.

Miss Teen World Bahamas, Shanae Strachan, won the Miss Teen Continents (Miss Teen World) in Lima, Peru, on April 26, 2008.

Yvette Nsiah, 20, was crowned Miss Ghana Universe on the last weekend of April 2008 in Accra. She will represent the West African nation at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Daisy Asare Akoto, and the second runner-up was Joyce Akagbo.

Djin Randall was crowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic St. Martin (SXM) on April 20, 2008, and Debra Lewis was crowned Miss Rum Jumbie 2008 and Miss Congeniality, a title voted on by all the contestants. The first runner-up was Frankie Sibert, and the second runner-up was Marina Kehunga. The Alex Photo Award was given to Miss Photogenic, Julia Cavina. The Junior Miss Hawaiian Tropic award went to Katia Nguyen. Ms. Randall will represent at the International Miss Hawaiian Tropic final in Las Vegas.

Lene Egeli, 21, of Stavanger was crowned Miss Norway 2008 on April 20, 2008. She was the first runner-up in last year´s edition of Norway´s Next Top Model. Now she will represent Norway in Miss World 2008 and Miss Universe 2009. (In 2008, Norway will be represented in Miss Universe by last year´s Miss Norway World, Lisa-Mari Moen-Jünge.) The first runner-up to Ms. Egeli was Mariann Birkedal, and the second runner-up was Lena Bjornas.

Marlyn Sanchez, representing Cuba, has won the Miss Caribbean Pageant.

Samantha Powell, 20, who competed as Miss Horrowhenua, was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2008 in Auckland on April 19, 2008. The first runner-up was Hannah Matthews, 23, Miss Masport, and the second runner-up was Rhonda Grant, 22, Miss TR Designs. The other finalists were Sylvia Laurenson, 21, Miss Bettjemans, and Rebecca Connor, 23, Miss Establishment Bar Wellington.

Alexandra Ritschard, 15, of Roseville was crowned the 29th Miss Teenage California at the state finals held April 18-20, 2008, in Los Angeles, before a large and enthusiastic crowd. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jennifer Ritschard of Roseville. She was also the winner of the Miss Photogenic Award. She is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, and dance Commissioner at her school. She is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and recently joined the Woodcreek High School Varsity track Team. Alexandra has danced ballet, modern, tap, and jazz for six years and is a member of the Northern California Dance Conservatory. She earned a place in their highly acclaimed Ambassador Performing Company. Among her other interests are surfing and scuba diving. Her short-range goal is to run for Associated Student Body President. In addition she plans to continue to stay active in school leadership and volunteerism. Upon graduation she would like to attend either UCLA or Cal Berkeley, majoring in Pre-Med while minoring in the art of dance. Her long-range plans are to attend medical school and become a cosmetic surgeon. A wonderful audience of supporters this year brought many signs, horns and noisemakers to root for their favorite contestant. The entertainment this year was awesome. The Kaleidoscope Dancers, vocalist Chris Dance, and the charming Winton Sisters entertained us. The new Miss Teenage California wins a $10,000 college scholarship to the college of your choice and an additional $1,000 college scholarship for winning the Miss Photogenic Award. Her other prizes include a $5,000 Cash, $1,000 partial scholarship to Eagle University, $1,500 wardrobe, Laptop Computer, and several other gifts. The pageant was produced by Danfranc Productions of Elk Grove, Calif. The first runner-up was Lisa Chan, and the second runner-up was Erica Abke. The third runner-up was Rachel Lyu. The fourth runner-up was Gabriela Garcia. The remaining finalists were Courtney Eynck, Jessica Fullmer, Brittany Hambright and Rachel Lofton.

April Jackson, 18, has been crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2008. She was Miss Jamaica UK 2006. The first runner-up was Doneika Plowright, and the second runner-up was Rebecca Silvera.

Natalia Anderle, Miss Rio Grande do Sul, was crowned Miss Brazil Universe 2008 on April 13, 2008, in São Paulo. The first runner-up was Vanessa Vidal, Miss Ceará, who will go on to compete at Miss International 2008. The second runner-up was Cynthia Oliveira, Miss Goiás. The third runner-uup was Miss São Paulo, Janaina Barcelos.

Maria Teresa Rodriguez, 21, was crowned Miss Costa Rica 2008 on April 11, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe. The first runner-up was Marilin Marin, and the second runner-up was Diana Mackenzie.

Silvia Vanessa Cornejo Cerna of Peru was crowned Miss Tourism Queen International on April 10, 2008, in Zhengzhou, China. The first runner-up was Miss China, Amanda Tong He, and the second runner-up was Miss Canada, Sahar Biniaz. The third runner-up was Miss Montenegro, Dasa Zivkovic. The fourth runner-up was Miss Japan, Akemi Fukumura. The winner of Miss Tourism of Europe was Miss Sweden. Joanna Maria Andresso. Miss Tourism of America was Miss Puerto Rico, Casandra Carin Castro Holland. Miss Tourism of Oceania was Miss Cuba, Gwendalyn Cabrera. Miss Tourism of Africa was Miss Angola, Luisa Patricia, and Miss Tourism of Asia was Miss Thailand, Pichamon Keawthong. Best National Costume went to Miss Aruba, Nabhilac Giannella Julieta. Miss Photogenic went to Miss Brazil, Kelly Pedrita. Miss Friendship went to Miss Uganda, Faith Byanjeru. Miss Press Princess was Miss Singapore, Cheryl Desiree Chan. Best in Qi-Pao was Miss Malaysia, Hui May Suen. Best Smile went to Miss Siberia, Svetlana Besklubova. Best in Evening Gown went to Miss Venezuela, Maria Lourdes Caldera Mendez. Miss Personality was Miss Greece, Georgia Apostolelli. Miss Elegant was Miss Monaco, Morgane Stephanie Marie-Aline Valade. Miss Charm was Miss Bali, Ida Ayu Pradnya. Miss Charity was Miss China, Amanda Tong He. Miss Internet Popularity was Miss Australia, Amanda Louise. Miss Bikini of the World was Miss Canada, Sahar Biniaz, and Miss Disco Queen of the World was Miss India, Devyani Chandrakant.

Kadri Nogu, 21, was crowned Miss Estonia 2008 on April 5, 2008. She will represent Estonia in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Julia Kovaljova, and the second runner-up was Viktoria Dementjeva.

Stephan Weiler, 23, of St. Gallen was chosen Mister Switzerland on April 5, 2008. The first runner-up was Bruno Tobler of Volketswil, and the second runner-up was Raphael Stocker of Zürich. The third runner-up was Stefan Flury of Davos.

Parvathy Omanakuttan was crowned Miss India World 2008 on April 5, 2008. Simran Kaur Mundi was crowned Miss India Universe. Harshita Saxena was crowned Miss India Earth.

Giannina Ruffinelli, 21, was crowned Miss Paraguay Universe 2008 on April 4, 2008. Gabriela Rejala was crowned Miss Paraguay World. Marile Barrios was crowned Miss Paraguay International.

Matilda Mecini, 19, a model, has been chosen to represent the nation of Albania at Miss Universe 2008.

Nasanin Nuri, 20, of Bern has been crowned Miss Earth Switzerland. She will represent the country at Miss Earth 2008.

Hiroko Mima, 22, was crowned Miss Japan Universe on April 3, 2008, in Tokyo. She will represent the country at Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan, was in attendance at the pageant.

2008 Mid-Atlantic State American Queen state titleholders were crowned on March 30, 2008, in Cherry Hill, N.J. They are: Chelsea Westerman, Miss Teen New Jersey; Nichole Pisarro, Miss New Jersey; Barbara Vernoski, Mrs. New Jersey; Katie Reitmayer, Ms. Maryland; Jacqueline Tvrdik, Miss Virginia; Lindsay Dittbrenner, Miss Teen Pennsylvania; Jessica Thompson, Miss Pennsylvania; Rosemaria Marketos-Pellicane, Mrs. Virginia. Mrs. Marketos-Pellicane was awarded the "Carmela Award" (Highest overall score) for the Mid-Atlantic Region. These women will represent their states at the Sixth Annual National American Queen Pageant in Daytona Beach this summer.

Marina Schneider, 18 who competed as Miss Tirol, was crowned Miss Austria 2008 on March 28, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss World 2008. The first runner-up was Kathrin Krahfuss, who competed as Miss Steiermark. The second runner-up was Carmen Ender, 19, who competed as Miss Vorarlberg.

The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008 Pageant took place on March 28, 2008, in Lagos. The MBGN World winner was Adaeze Igwe, 18, who competed as Miss Anambra. She will represent the country at Miss World. The winner of MBGN Universe was Stephanie Oforka, 20, who competed as Miss Taraba. She will compete at Miss Universe. Uchechi Ujiogu, 20, was chosen MBGN Ecowas. Ure Obowu, 22, was chosen MBGN Tourism. Sandra Idugboe, 23, was chosen MBGN Model.

Leyla Lydia Tugutlu was crowned Miss Turkey World 2008 on March 27, 2008, in Istanbul. Begum Kiziltug was crowned Miss Turkey Universe 2008. Gizen Yurtoglu was crowned Miss Turkey Europe 2008. Gulsun Uslu was crowned Miss Turkey International 2008. Duygu Gok was crowned Miss Visi Firm 2008.

Tamar Ziskind, 22, was crowned Miss Israel 2008 on March 27, 2008, in Tel Aviv. Shunit Faragi, 21, was the first runner-up. One of these will go to Miss World and the other to Miss Universe. The second runner-up, who will go to Miss International, was No'a Avrahami, 18, and the third runner-up, who will go to Miss Europe, was Linn Mor, 22.

Leah Ryerse has been crowned Miss World Canada 2008. The first runner-up was Simranjit Singh, and the second runner-up was Shaileen Stanley. The third runner-up was Tea-Nercita Savic, and the fourth runner-up was Lena Ma.

The American Queen Pageant has announced that deMette Ginn has been awarded the title of Mrs. Tennessee American Queen 2008. She will represent the state of Tennessee in the Mrs. Division at the sixth annual National American Queen Pageant in summer 2008 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Sacha Scott, 19, has been crowned Miss Bahamas Universe. She is the daughter of a former Miss Bahamas, Christian Thompson-Scott, who represented the country at the 1983 Miss Universe Pageant. Garnell Storr, 25, was crowned Miss Earth Bahamas, and Amy Knowles, 21, was crowned Miss International Bahamas.

The 2008 Carolina States American Queen Pageant took place at the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on March 16, 2008. State titleholders crowned were Janine Davis, Mrs. South Carolina; Audrey Lorence, Ms. South Carolina; Jessica Keller, Miss South Carolina; Taylor Roberson, Miss Teen South Carolina; Deanna Chambers, Miss North Carolina; Heather Erickson, Miss Teen North Carolina. They will represent their states at the sixth annual National American Queen Pageant this summer 2008 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Stephanie Kaiser, 27, of Schaan won the title of Miss Liechtenstein 2008 on March 14, 2008. The first runner-up was Daniela Ferreira, and the second runner-up was Sonja Meier. There is no indication that any of them will represent the tiny Alpine nation in international pageants.

Domenica Saporitti, 19, of Guayaquil was crowned Miss Ecuador 2008 on March 13, 2008. She will represent Ecuador in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Marjorie Cevallos, who will compete at Miss World. The second runner-up was Jennifer Pazmino, who will be going to Miss International.

Sandra Manakova, 19, was crowned Miss Slovak Republic Universe 2008 on March 8, 2008, in Bratislava. She will represent her country in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Martina Tóthová, who will go to Miss Earth, and the second runner-up was Lenka Hindická, who will go to Miss Intercontinental.

Janina Miller San Miguel, 17, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) World 2008 on March 8, 2008, in Quezon City. Jennifer Tarol Barrientos, 22, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2008, and Patricia Fernandez, 22, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2008. The first runner-up was Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castaño, 18, and the second runner-up was Elizabeth Jacqueline Santander Nacuspag, 24.

Shayla Girardin was just crowned Miss North Carolina Jr. National Teenager for 2008 on March 8, 2008, in Charlotte.

The new Miss Angel queens crowned March 2, 2008, in Dothan, Ala., are: Tiny Miss Angel -- Elizabeth Riley, Little Miss Angel -- Kaylee Bullard, Petite Miss Angel -- Kayla Reisoglu, Baby Miss Angel -- Jaiden Paul, Ms. Angel -- Diana Nelson, and Junior Miss Angel -- Hulya Reisoglu.

Marijana Plemic, 20, of Neuss won the title of Miss Nordrhein-Westfalen 2008 on March 1, 2008. In summer 2008, she will represent the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Miss Deutschland 2008 (Germany World).

Jennyfer Mercelina, 19, was crowned Miss Curaçao Universe 2008 on March 1, 2008. She had earlier been named Miss Photogenic. She will represent Curaçao at Miss Universe 2008. Norayla Francisco, 23, was crowned Miss Curaçao World 2008. She will go to Miss World 2008 in Kiev, Ukraine in October.

Patricia Rodriguez, 17, competing as Miss Tenerife, was crowned Miss Spain 2008 on Feb. 29, 2008. The first runner-up was Claudia Moro, 22, who competed as Miss Madrid. The second runner-up was Alexandra Andreu, 17, who competed as Miss Zaragoza. Ms. Rodriguez will represent Spain at Miss World, but will not compete at Miss Universe (as would normally be the case) because she is 17 and too young to be eligible. Ms. Moro will compete at Miss Universe.

Sandra-Christina Kindermann, 24, was crowned Miss Vienna 2008 on Feb. 28, 2008. The first runner-up was Denisa Onila, and the second runner-up was Gabi Schreiner. The winner and the first runner-up will represent the Austrian capital in Miss Austria 2008 (World) on March 28.

PNB contributor Ashley Gholamhosseini has been crowned Miss Southern Rivers, a preliminary to Miss Georgia (America). The first runner-up was Lauren Wagner, and the second runner-up was Courtney Herndon. The third runner-up was Courtney Piedrahita, and the fourth runner-up was Brittney Griffith.

Lisa Fürst, 23, has been crowned Miss Salzburg. The first runner-up was Michelle Schöll, and the second runner-up was Sandra Poguter. The winner and first runner-up will represent Salzburg in Miss Austria (World) 2008 on March 28, 2008.

Lisa Lutz, Mrs. Shenandoah Valley, has been crowned Mrs. Virginia US. She also won the interview award. The first runner-up was was Deandra Cunningham, Mrs. Loudoun County, who won the fitness award. The second runner-up was Tonya Ratliff, Mrs. Abingdon, who won the evening gown, photogenic and community service awards. The third runner-up was Maria Beall, Mrs. Southern Chesterfield, and the fourth runner-up was Nancy Case, Mrs. Northern Virginia. The People's Choice winner was Jennifer Hoke, Mrs. Richmond, and the Contestants' Choice winner was Alison Hubble, Mrs. Glen Allen.

McKenzie Beach has been crowned Miss Georgia Teen US. The first runner-up was Meredith Garvin, and the second runner-up was Emily Mizerowski. The third runner-up was Courtney Starling, and the fourth runner-up was Jordan DeArmon.

Anya Ayoung-Chee, 26, has been crowned Miss Trinidad and Tobago (TNT) Universe. Gabriel Walcott, 23, has been crowned Miss TNT World. They will compete in their respective international pageants.

Snjezana Loncarevic, 24, has been crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2008. She was also Miss Style. She will represent the country at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Ana Kurobasa, 18, and the second runner-up was Katica Rakuljic, 20. Miss Photogenic was Kristina Dzigurski, 19, and Miss Congeniality was Kristina Baro, 20.

Mister Madrid, Jose Manuel Montalvo, 26, was chosen Mister Spain on Feb. 25, 2008. The first runner-up was Mister Pontevedra, Victor Manuel Santos, and the second runner-up was Mister Huelva, Julio Auden. Among the judges was Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007.

Thelma Rodríguez, 18, was crowned Miss Nicaragua 2008 on Feb. 23, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Karina Gordon Hodgson, 18, and the second runner-up was Gwendolyne García, 21.

Eleonora Masalab, 19, was crowned Miss Universe Ukraine 2008 on Feb. 19, 2008. She was first runner-up in Miss Model of the World 2005-2006 and competed for the Miss Ukraine World title in April 2007.

Madina Taher, 21, of Elmshorn was crowned Miss Germany Universe on Feb. 15, 2008, in Bad Pyrmont. She is a design student and is of Afghan origin. The first runner-up was Larissa Krumhoff of Wiesbaden, and the second runner-up was Kristine David of Meissen.

The 61st annual Miss Memphis Scholarship Pageant was held on Feb. 10, 2008. Brooke Poklemba, 22, was crowned Miss Memphis 2008. Ivy DePew, 17, was crowned Memphis Outstanding Teen 2008. Ashlee Reed, 17, was crowned Miss Memphis Princess 2008. An additional winner -- the first runner up to the title of Miss Memphis, 22-year-old Anna Rene Morris, was named Miss Sweetheart 2008.

Legendary pageant impresario Frank Sweeney has announced that Crown Productions of New Castle, Del., has acquired the rights to produce the Miss Teen All American Pageant, which Mr. Sweeney founded in 1977. Fred Wright, president of Crown Productions, Inc., will take over as president and CEO of the pageant. Sweeney will remain as chairman of the board. Winners of Miss Teen All American have included such pageant greats as Halle Berry and Shanna Moakler.

Tihaisa de Palm, 20, has been chosen to represent Curaçao at the 2008 Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in Zhengzhou, China.

Bettina Strobl, 23, of Linz, Austria, has won the title of Miss Oberösterreich 2008. The first runner-up was 20-year old Bianca Muhrer, and the second runner-up was 17-year old Lisa Pachner. Ms. Strobl and Ms. Muhrer will represent Oberösterreich in the Miss Austria (World) Pageant 2008 at the end of March 2008.

Opera singer Julianne James, 22, has been crowned Miss Placentia 2008, selected to represent the city at Miss California 2008 in Fresno. She is a student at California State University, Fullerton. The first runner-up was Angela Roh, who performed on the piano. Sharon Kong won the Placentia's Outstanding Teen title. She is attempting to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Jordan Krinke, who went on to win the state title. The events are official Miss America / Miss America's Outstanding Teen preliminaries.

Kerel Pinder was crowned Miss Grand Bahama in early February 2008. The first runner-up was Tinnyse Johnson, and the second runner-up was Jillian Russell.

Satu Tuomisto, 21, was crowned Miss Suomi (Miss Finland) 2008 on Feb. 3, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Susanna Mustajärvi, who will compete at Miss International, and the second runner-up was Jaana Taanilla, who will compete at Miss Europe.

Eliska Buckova, 18, was crowned Ceska Miss 2008 (Czech Republic Universe) on Feb. 2, 2008. She will represent the Czech Republic in Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. The first runner-up was 19-year old Hana Svobodova. She will go to Miss Earth 2008. The second runner-up was Elisavet Charalambidu, 22. She will go to Miss Intercontinental 2008.

Kim Valerie Voight, 18, of Hannover, who competed as Miss Norddeutschland, was crowned Miss Germany 2008 on Feb. 2, 2008, at Europark in Rust. Anna-Lena Freynhagen, 22, of Regensburg, who competed as Miss Bayern, was the first runner-up. Carina Nix, 22, of Berlin, who competed as Miss Ostdeutschland, was the second runner-up. The winner of this pageant does not go to any major international pageant.

Carmen Ender, 19, was crowned Miss Vorarlberg 2008 on Feb. 1, 2008. She will represent the Austrian state in the Miss Austria (World) 2008 Pageant in late March. The first runner-up was Rubina Insam, and the second runner-up was Katrin Spiegel.

On Jan. 26, 2008, Mariel Anjelique Lane, 16, of Tennessee was crowned Miss Teen National America 2008. It is a nontraditional pageant that judges not only on beauty but also on documented achievements.

Dawna Lee Heising was crowned Ms. World 2008 and Jennifer Woods was crowned Ms. US World 2008 for the Ambassadorial Society of America, LLC, in Las Vegas on Jan. 26, 2008. These new Society spokeswomen are chosen through a rigorous selection process. Ms. Heising of Huntington Beach, Calif., a model and actress with numerous credits, is executive producer and host of "Eye on Entertainment," a television interview show on Time Warner Cable. Ms. Woods is the host and owner of a new online radio show carried on VoiceAmerica.com, located in Phoenix. Pageant Talk International is part of their flagship station and is broadcast live every Wednesday. At the pageant, Carrie LeighAnn was chosen Universe Ambassador Supermodel, and director Venus Day won the Pageantry Spirit Award.

Patricia Plummer was crowned Miss Cayman Tourism World 2008 on Jan. 26, 2008, in the Miss Cayman Tourism Pageant. She won the Best Legs and Miss Photogenic awards. She is likely to be sent to the Miss Tourism Queen Pageant. Shirvonne Mitchell was runner-up and Miss Cayman Model of the Universe. She won the Miss Personality award. Yanique Connolly, 15, was Miss Teen Cayman Tourism World 2008 and won Best Talent and Best Evening Gown. Miss Full of Beans Cafe, Jessica Coni, won the Herbal Essence Hair Award.

  Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, 19, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Jan. 26, 2008, in Las Vegas. The show was seen live on the cable network TLC. The first runner-up was Nicole Elizabeth Rash, representing Indiana, and the second runner-up was Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington.  
  Ms. Haglund, an aspiring Broadway star, is the granddaughter of Iora Hunt, who competed at Miss America as Miss Michigan in 1944. Ms. Hunt was in the audience for her granddaughter's win.
  One prominent personality during coverage of the pageant was Miss Utah, Jill Stevens, an Afghanistan veteran who is believed to be the first active-duty member of the armed forces to compete at Miss America. She did not make the finals.
  The venerable pageant — which for many decades was held every September in Atlantic City, N.J. — has bounced around for several years. It lost its position on network TV, where it was once a ratings powerhouse, in 2004, and it was cut loose by cable network CMT in 2007. TLC, its new home, sought to make it flashier, with the trappings of a reality show.
  But in one unpromising sign of the times, the 2008 results were carried by most news services on their entertainment wires, not their standard news wires, indicating editors' apparent belief that there is diminishing interest in the event.

Kristin Scott, 22, of Anderson, Ala., was crowned Miss Rodeo USA 2008 on Jan. 19, 2008, at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Two competitors for the Miss Finland title are under threat of disqualification for being members of an erotic dance group. The two are Satu Tuomisto and Mariel Mettälä, and their standing is being evaluated by organizers and judges.

Norma Boyd of Coffee County has been crowned Alabama's Junior Miss 2008. She will compete in the 51st America's Junior Miss finals in June in Mobile, Ala. She is the younger sister of Katie Boyd, a former Alabama Junior Miss and first runner-up to America’s Junior Miss. Morgan Crittenden of Houston County was the first runner-up. The second runner-up was Lily Xu of Lee County.

Alessandra Alores of Germany won the 15th Top Model of the World contest on Jan. 18, 2007, in Hurghada, Egypt. The first runner-up was Alena Aladka of Belarus, and the second runner-up was Lobna Amin of Egypt. Ms. Alores formerly competed under the name of Alexandra Vodjanikova as Miss Germany Universe 2003.

The first state pageant for Miss Austria (World) 2008 took place on Jan. 16, 2008. It was the Miss Styria (Steiermark) Pageant 2008. Kathrin Krahfuss, 24, was the winner. The first runner-up was Nadine Strohmeier, 20. The second runner-up was Sabine Hasenhüttl, 23. The winner and the first runner-up will represent the state of Styria (Steiermark) in the Miss Austria (World) 2008 Pageant in March 2008.

The first annual Miss Teen Iraq pageant took place Jan. 10, 2008, in Nice, France. The winner was Myra Adel, 19, who became the ninth titleholder. (The Miss Teen Iraq title was awarded to the third runner-up at the Miss Iraq pageant from 2000 to 2007. This was the first time that the pageants were held separately.) The first runner-up was Hind Naser, and the second runner-up was Umaya Salman. The third runner-up was Hamida Azhar, and the fourth runner-up was Wassan Qaerdar. The Miss Congeniality award went to Zeena Hisham. The event was organized by Talat Model Management, producers of Miss Iraq, Miss Teen Iraq, Mister Iraq and Super Model of Iraq competitions. It was hosted by Miss Iraq 2000, Daniela Lednicer, and Miss Iraq 2002, Anisa Abdi. By winning Miss Teen Iraq, Ms. Adel automatically won the right to compete at Miss Iraq two days later in Nice. And, on Jan. 12, she was crowned Miss Iraq. That meant that the Teen title automatically passed to first runner-up Hind Nasser. The first runner-up to Miss Iraq was Jessica Kadoorie, 19, and the second runner-up was Yusra Kadret, 23, whose sister, Ban Kadret, won the Miss Iraq title in 1998 and the 2000 Elite Model Look of Iraq contest. The third runner-up was Yeala Ibrahimi, and the fourth runner-up was Nurit Shlomo. Named Queen of Lagash was Nurit Shlomo; Queen of Assyria -- Karima Nouman; Queen of Ur -- Yeala Ibrahimi; Queen of Babel -- Yusra Kadret; Queen of Nimrod -- Nurdan Zeki; Queen of Akkad -- Jessica Kadoorie; Queen of Sumer -- Ilana Sassoon.

In a joint pageant in Athens, Greece, Ariane Benoit of Martinique has been crowned Miss Africa Greece and Alex Osagie of Nigeria has been crowned Mr. Africa Greece. The pageant honors African residents of Greece.

Saman Hasnain has been crowned Mrs. Pakistan World 2008. Currently a resident of San Francisco, she will represent the nation of her birth in the Mrs. World 2008 competition.

Valérie Bègue, Miss France 2008, has been allowed to retain her crown despite having posed for provocative pictures. But the pageant says she will not be allowed to compete at any international pageants. Runners-up will fulfill those duties. The photos, which were made before she was crowned, included semi-nudity, simulated drug use and mockery of religious symbols. Ms. Bègue has indicated that the photographs were not meant to be offensive, but pageant officials said the pictures were the kind that Miss France contestants had been required to stipulate they had never posed for.

The new Miss France, Valérie Bègue, is in trouble over embarrassing photographs taken before her crowning, some of which are sexually suggestive and disrespectful toward religion. Some voices in France have urged her resignation.