The diamonds on the Miss America crown are sparkling for one 17-year old Nebraskan girl who has swept up the coveted crown for the 2011 Miss America pageant.  Teresa Scanlan, the blonde 17-year old Miss Nebraska has beaten 52 other contestants to become the youngest person to receive the title since 1941 and the first woman ever to win for Nebraska.  She has won the spot for one year, as well as a $50,000 scholarship.

The pageant implemented an age limit back in 1938. 

It celebrated its 90th anniversary this year. 

Scanlan is a recent high school graduate from Gering, a western Nebraska town and not even eligible to vote until she turns 18 next month.  She plans to study American politics at Patrick Henry College in Virginia and wants to be a politician someday—that is, after she goes to law school.  Also, high on her list of goals to accomplish—to become a judge before she runs for office.

Scanlan wore a black bikini, a white evening gown, played piano for the talent competition, and told the audience that security should come before public access to government information, when asked a question about Wikileaks.  Perhaps she got lucky with this question because she is striving to be a politician, or because she has routinely discussed current events with her family.

The contestants were from every state—plus the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.  Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady won $25,000 as first runner-up, while Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier won $20,000 for third place.

Clear favorites were Miss Arizona Kathryn Bulkley, who dedicated her performance to U.S. Rep Gabrielle Giffords, her mentor and Miss Delaware Kayla Martell, who is the first bald Miss America contestant.  She began losing her hair at age 13 due to a condition known as alopecia areata.

"Representing the Diamond State, with our diamonds and our tax-free shopping, a girl just can’t lose,” Martell said to the audience and TV viewers.

The Miss America crown itself is 6 inches tall and 7 inches wide.  It has a full 7 inch diameter circle band.  It is set with real Swarovski crystals and plated on a sterling silver setting.

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