Pageant News Bureau - Miss Teen USA 2006

Katie Blair, pioneer

Taking her state to new heights in the pageant world, Katie Blair of Montana was crowned Miss Teen USA on Aug. 15, 2006, in Palm Springs, Calif.

She is the first Montana competitor to win a major, nationally televised pageant since ... probably since time began. Many a girl from the Big Sky State has stood in the background as another girl won the crown in front of millions of people. But not this year

The first runner-up to Ms. Blair was Melissa Lingafelt of North Carolina, who won Miss Photogenic by a vote of fans. The second runner-up was Katie Marie Cooper of North Dakota, and the third runner-up was Samantha Casey of Virginia. The fourth runner-up was Brittany Sharp of Georgia.

Other semifinalists were Morgan Woolard of Oklahoma, Raquel McClendon of Michigan, Danielle Zuroski of Nebraska, Brittany Smith of South Carolina, Gentry Miller of Kansas, Emerald Zellers of Arizona, Jennifer Wooten of Florida, Jamie O'Brien of Maryland, Julianna White of New Jersey and Shaelyn McNally of Rhode Island.

With Melissa Lingafelt of North Carolina

The upbeat and inspiring Blair Griffith of Colorado (at right) was chosen Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.

Perhaps in keeping with the "return to decency" in broadcasting, this year's Miss Teen USA Pageant was tamer than some in previous years Swimsuits were conservative (though scanty by 1950s standards), the script for the emcees was charmingly geeky, and the music was more bubble gum than edgy.

Ms. Blair had been preparing to attend Louisiana State University in the fall, but those plans will be put on hold as she becomes one of the most famous residents of Trump Towers in New York. The sky may not be so big there as it is back home, but she will see it up close.

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