Presenting the Miss America 2013 Candidates

The 92nd Miss America pageant will take place on January 12, 2013 at the PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The program will be hosted by Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet and broadcast live via ABC and also be simulcast on ESPN Radio for the first time.

The current Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler from Wisconsin will crown her successor at the end of the event. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will have an equal chance on becoming the next queen.

MEET THE 53 OFFICIAL CONTESTANTS OF MISS AMERICA 2013:

Alabama Anna Laura Bryan Hometown: Decatur Age: 23 Talent: Vocal	Alaska Debbe Eben Hometown: Chugiak Age: 23 Talent: Piano	Arizona Piper Stoeckel Hometown: Prescott Age: 23 Talent: Dance	Arkansas Sloane Roberts Hometown: Rison Age: 19 Talent: Tap Dance Notes: Former Miss Arkansas's Outstanding Teen 2008; 2nd run-up Miss America's Outstanding Teen, 2008 Talent and Evening Gown Preliminary Awardee
California Leah Cecil Hometown: Garden Grove Age: 22 Talent: Classical Harp Notes: National Sweetheart 2011 Delegate	Colorado Hannah Porter Hometown: Denver Age: 24 Talent: Tap Dance Notes: Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2011	Connecticut Emily Audibert Hometown: Wolcott Age: 21 Talent: Lyrical Dance	Delaware Alyssa Murray Hometown: Selbyville Age: 20 Talent: Jazz Dance Notes: Former Delaware's Junior Miss 2010
District of Columbia Allyn Rose Hometown: Washington D.C Age: 24 Talent: Artistic Roller Skating Notes: Former Miss Maryland USA 2011 & Top 8 Semi-Finalist at Miss USA 2011	Florida Laura McKeeman Hometown: St. Petersburg Age: 24 Talent: Ballet en Pointe Notes: Former Miss Pinellas County 2012, Miss St. Petersburg 2011 and Miss Suncoast 2010	Georgia Leighton Jordan Hometown: Suwanee Age: 20 Talent: Ballet de Pointe	Hawaii Skyler Kamaka Hometown: Kaneohe Age: 21 Talent: Hula
Idaho Whitney Wood Hometown: Idaho Falls Age: 19 Talent: Piano	Illinois Megan Ervin Hometown: Quincy Age: 23 Talent: Contemporary Dance	Indiana MerrieBeth Cox Hometown: Rosell, IL Age: 22 Talent: Baton Twirling Notes: Former Miss Illinois's Outstanding Teen 2007; Currently serves as Purdue University's Golden Girl	Iowa Mariah Cary Hometown: Muscatine Age: 20 Talent: Tap Dance Notes: Former Little Miss Iowa and Junior Miss Iowa
Kansas Sloane Lewis Hometown: Norwich Age: 21 Talent: Piano	Kentucky Jessica Casebolt Hometown: Pikeville Age: 20 Talent: Vocal	Louisiana Lauren Vizza Hometown: Shreveport Age: 22 Talent: Dance	Maine Molly Bouchard Hometown: Caribou Age: 21 Talent: Classical Dance Notes: Former Maine's Junior Miss 2008
Maryland Joanna Guy Hometown: Swanton Age: 21 Talent: Vocal Notes: Former Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2008; Preliminary Sportswear Award, Academic Life Award and 3rd run-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008	Massachusetts Taylor Kinzler Hometown: Lakeville Age: 20 Talent: Vocal Notes: Former Miss Massachusetts's Outstanding Teen 2008; National Sweetheart 2010 Delegate	Michigan Angela Venditti Hometown: Shelby Township Age: 24 Talent: Tap Dance	Minnesota Siri Freeh Hometown: Lake Park Age: 23 Talent: Lyrical Dance
Mississippi Marie Wicks Hometown: Ocean Springs Age: 23 Talent: Piano	Missouri Tippe Emmott Hometown: Branson Age: 22 Talent: Ballet de Pointe Notes: 1st run-up National Sweetheart 2011	Montana Alexis Wineman Hometown: Cut Bank Age: 18 Talent: Comedic Monologue Notes: First delegate diagnosed with Autism.	Nebraska Mariah Cook Hometown: Chadron Age: 23 Talent: Piano
Nevada Randi Sundquist Hometown: Elko Age: 23 Talent: Contemporary Dance	New Hampshire Megan Lyman Hometown: Gilford Age: 21 Talent: Tap Dance Notes: Former Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen 2008; Contestant at National Sweetheart 2010	New Jersey Lindsey Petrosh Hometown: Egg Harbor City Age: 23 Talent: Vocal Notes: Former Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2006	New Mexico Candice Bennatt Hometown: Reidoso Age: 23 Talent: Contemporary Jazz
New York Mallory Hagan Hometown: Brooklyn Age: 23 Talent: Tap Dance	North Carolina Arlie Honeycutt Hometown: Garner Age: 20 Talent: Vocal	North Dakota Rosie Sauvageau Hometown: Fargo Age: 24 Talent: Vocal & Piano	Ohio Elissa McCracken Hometown: Waynessburg, PA Age: 21 Talent: Piano
Oklahoma Alicia Clifton Hometown: Oklahoma City Age: 21 Talent: Tap Dance Notes: Former Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen 2008; Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008	Oregon Nichole Mead Hometown: Newport Age: 24 Talent: Contemporary Dance Notes: National Sweetheart 2011 Delegate	Pennsylvania Jordyn Colao Hometown: Millcreek Township Age: 22 Talent: Tap Dance	Puerto Rico Kiaraliz Medina Hometown: Moca Age: 19 Talent: Flamenco Dancing
Rhode Island Kelsey Fournier Hometown: Pawtucket Age: 23 Talent: Jazz Dance Notes: Cheerleader for the New England Patriots	South Carolina Ali Rogers Hometown: Laurens Age: 20 Talent: Piano Notes: Former Miss South Carolina's Outstanding Teen 2009; Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009	South Dakota Calista Kirby Hometown: Brookings Age: 24 Talent: Tumbling Notes: National Sweetheart 2011 Delegate	Tennessee Chandler Lawson Hometown: Chattanooga Age: 22 Talent: Vocal Notes: National Sweetheart 2011 Delegate; Former Tennessee's Junior Miss 2008
Texas DaNae Couch Hometown: Copell Age: 24 Talent: Twirling	Utah Kara Arnold Hometown: Bountiful Age: 22 Talent: Piano Notes: Former Miss Davis County 2012	Vermont Chelsea Ingram Hometown: St. Johnsbury Age: 23 Talent: Opera	Virgin Islands Aniska Tonge Hometown: St. Thomas Age: 21 Talent: Vocal
Virginia Rosemary Willis Hometown: Chesapeake Age: 21 Talent: Vocal	Washington Mandy Schendel Hometown: New Castle Age: 22 Talent: Vocal Notes: Former Miss Washington Teen USA 2008	West Virginia Kaitlin Gates Hometown: Bridgesport Age: 20 Talent: Vocal Notes: Former Miss West Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2006	Wisconsin Kathryn Bess Gorman Hometown: Onlaska Age: 23 Talent: Vocal
Wyoming Lexie Madden Hometown: Torrington Age: 21 Talent: Piano Notes: Former Wyoming's Junior Miss 2009

Miss America 2013 Winner

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First ever Autistic delegate for Miss America 2013

18 year old Alexis Wineman representing the state of Montana made a history as the 1st ever official contestant diagnosed with Autism vying for the title of Miss America 2013.

Alexis will also be this year’s youngest delegate told Fox News she was diagnosed at the age of 11.

“For the longest time I just really wanted to know what was wrong with me,” she said. “When I was finally diagnosed I felt like it came too late.”

Wineman said now she is used to living with autism now and has “very mild symptoms.” She said she struggles to communicate at times. She also said she often takes things too literally.

“I try my best to overcome that,” she said of her symptoms. “It’s a part of who I am.”

In her contestant video, Wineman says she hopes to use the Miss America platform to spread awareness about autism.

"Most people do not understand what autism is," Wineman explains in her online finalist video. "And one in 88 people having some form of autism -- this understanding is becoming more and more necessary."

Wineman hopes to win the Miss America pageant, and if she does she plans to use her title to spread autism awareness.

"We cannot cure what is not a sickness," Miss Montana says in the video. "But we can begin to understand autism, and help those with the condition to unlock the potential that lies within all of us."

The grand coronation night of Miss America 2013 will be held on January 12 at the PH Live in Las Vegas, Nevada where 53 beauties will compete.

Nana Meriwether crowned as the new Miss USA 2012

Due to the victory of USA's Olivia Culpo as the winner of Miss Universe 2012 which was held in Las Vegas last December 19, Miss USA 2012 1st run-up Nana Meriwether will officially take over the title. She was crowned by Olivia together with Donald Trump at the Trump Tower in New York last January 8, 2012.

“They’re brilliant, they’re really into charity and the world of charity, and they’re phenomenal people. They’re very solid. In many cases, they went to the best colleges. In the case of Nana, she was a great athlete—a volleyball player [at UCLA]” said Trump about his new titleholder.

Meriwether, who is now 27 years of age from Maryland became the 2nd Miss USA titleholder from Maryland (the other being Leona Gage in 1957, who was later dethroned). Nana will take over Culpo’s old job and will serve as spokesperson for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research and Awareness.

Miss Teen USA 2012 Logan West was present at the event. Trump also announced that Miss USA 2013 will be chosen in June.

Virginia Hernandez Reina del Carnaval de la City 2013

21 year old Virginia Hernandez emerged as the over-all winner of Queen of the Panama City Carnival “Descubrimiento” 2013 or locally called as the Reina del Carnaval de la City 2013 pageant held at the Anayansi Theater of the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City last January 8.

Standing 1.70m tall, Virginia is currently a student, model and professional ballet dancer. She will rule all the festivities in February, as well as competing and representing Panama in Miss World 2013 contest which will be held on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia.

Finished as the 1st run-up was Andrea Quintero from Los Santos. 2nd run-up was Nabil Gonzalez from Cocle. And completing the top 5 finalists were Rocio Lezcano and Caroline Garzon. 10 local candidates competed in the event.

This separate competition also serves as Miss World Panama was a joint program between the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and the Miss Panama Organization (OMP) due to the request of Miss World Limited to separate the national competitions and not choose joint winners as accustomed. Meanwhile, the Miss Panama Universe competition will take place on April 30 later this year.

Noemie Happart is Miss Belgie (Belgium) 2013

19 year old Noemie Happart from Liege was crowned as the new Miss Belgie 2013 during an annual beauty pageant took place last January 6vat the Casino Knokke in Knokke-Heist. She was crowned by last year's winner, Laura Beyne.

The 1st run-up was Sherine Dandoy and the 2nd run-up was Melissa Vingerhoed.

Standing 5'10" tall, Neomie will represent Belgium in Miss Universe 2013 and in Miss World 2013 to be held on September 14 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia.

Miss Belgie 2013 Official Finalists

Miss Belgie 2013 Official Finalists

The Miss Belgium 2013 or locally referred as Miss Belgie 2013 will held it's annual pageant this year on January 6 and have a live telecast via AB3 and MENT TV.

Kate Ryan, Andrei Lugovski and the Gibson Brothers were among the invited guest artists.

The reigning queen Laura Beyne will crown her successor at the end of the event. The new winner will compete and represent Belgium in the Miss Universe 2013 contest and in Miss World 2013 on September 14 to be held at the Sentul International Convention Center, Sentul in Bogor, Indonesia later this year.

MEET THE 20 CANDIDATES OF MISS BELGIE 2013:

Marissa Galle	Virginie Urbain	Julie Van Den Eynde	Gonul Meral
Leen Geysen	Charlotte Verjans	Celine Van Rie	Charlotte Meynaert
Sherine Dandoy	Dorothee Leclercq	Astrid Vandenberghe	Melissa Vingerhoed
Kelly Gheerardyns	Noemie Happart	Virginie Depoortere	Shanou Recoules
Maude Vanconigsloo	Rhani Dehenain	Valerie Smal	Julie De Beule

Noemie Happart is Miss Belgie (Belgium) 2013

Rizzini Gomez of the Philippines wins Miss Tourism International 2012

22 year old Miss Philippines, Rizzini Alexis Gomez won the coveted crown of Miss Tourism International 2012 during a glamorous event took place last December 31 at the Sunway Resort in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur.

Rizzini from Cebu competed against 54 other international beauties participated. She became the 2nd Filipina to win the crown after Miss Tourism International 2000 Maria Esperanza. This annual gala began in 1994.

Finished as 1st run-up was Monika Radulovic from Australia. 2nd run-up was Marielis Alejandra Castellanos Perez of Venezuela. In 3rd run-up was Lourdes Maria Del Carmen Motta Rolon from Paraguay. And finally, the 4th run-up was Jun Yong Wan Jun of Malaysia.

Bongiwe Hesman wins Face of Lesotho 2012

The Face of Lesotho 2012 pageant took place last December 16 at the Maseru Mall. The stunning Bongiwe Hesman emerged as the over-all winner. She might represent the country in Miss World 2013 contest on September 14 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia (confirmation needed).

Matsekiso Tsoenyane was the 1st run-up and Mamahlape Matsoso was the 2nd run-up.

Panamerican Queen of Sugarcane 2012 Results

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The return of the Panamerican Queen of Sugarcane 2012 pageant took place in Cali, Colombia.

The gorgeous Yohana Paola Vaca Guzman from Bolivia emerged as the titleholder. She was the official candidate of her country in Miss World 2011.

Finished as the 1st run-up was Margarita Maria Peralta Tovar, Miss Colombia, and the 2nd run-up was Elba Mercedes Fahsbender, Miss Peru. The representatives of Honduras and Mexico rounded out the top 5. 14 candidates competed for the crown.

Former Misses Universe – Luz Marina Zuluaga of Colombia (1958) and Martha Vascocellos of Brazil (1968) – were among the judes, alongside with Julieta Urrutia Chang of Guatemala, Miss International 1984, Vanesa Mendoza, Miss Universe Colombia 2002, and Francisco Escobar, Mister World 2012, from Colombia.

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Miss Gabon 2013 is Ruth Jennifer Ondo Mouchita

20 year old Ruth Jennifer Ondo Mouchita from Haut-Ogooue was crowned Miss Gabon 2013 during a beauty pageant held last December 22, 2012 in Libreville.

Jennifer stands 5'11.5" tall and will compete representing Gabon in Miss Universe 2013 contest.

Finished as the 1st run-up was 20 year old Brunilla Novela Ekoumbi Moussadingo from Moyen-Ogooue. She stands 5'9" tall and will compete in Miss World 2013 on September 14 in Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia.

In 2nd run-up place was Reilly Darniche Mboumba Makaya who will compete in Miss International 2013 competition.

And lastly, the 3rd run-up was Hilary Ondo from Woleu-Ntem. She will go to the Miss Supranational 2013 event.

Vaumara Rebelo crowned Miss Angola Universe 2013

21 year old student from Luanda, Vaumara Rebelo won the title and was crowned as the new Miss Angola Universe 2013 during a glittering beauty contest took place on December 21, 2012 at the Bellas Conference Centre in Luanda.

Close to the title was the 1st run-up Suely Afonso from Luanda. In 2nd run-up place was Irene Bandua from Huambo.

Vaumara was born in Luanda and currently attends the third year higher education course of business management in Miami Dade College in US. She will be the official representative of Angola in Miss Universe 2013 pageant.

A total of 26 local beauties of the country’s 18 provinces including Diaspora participated in the event. Invited guest performers were Angolan singers Yola Semedo, Eddy Tussa, C4Pedro and the Brazilian artist Vanessa da Mata.

Carey Ng wins Miss Universe Malaysia 2013

23 year old Carey Ng was crowned as the new Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 during an annual event took place on December 10, 2012 at the Shah Alam, Setia City Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur.

Natalie Ng and May Salitah emerged as the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

Carey from Kuala Lumpur stands 5'10" tall and she will represent Malaysia in Miss Universe 2013 pageant.

Miss Nederland (Netherlands) 2012-2013 Winners

The annual Miss Netherlands or locally called as Miss Nederland pageant took place in Bunnik last December 10 for it's 2012-2013 edition.

Chosen to represent Netherlands in Miss Universe 2013 contest was Stefanie Tency, 21 year old beauty from Amsterdam who stands 5'8" tall.

Meanwhile, 23 year old Jacqueline Steenbeek from Drunen will enter the Miss World 2013 which will be held on September 14 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia. She stands tall at 5'9.5".

The event was produced by Kim Kotter, a former Miss Universe Netherlands 2002.

Winners of Miss Tourism Queen of the Year 2012

Miss Lithuania, Asta Jakumaite won the Miss Lithuania 2012 crown during a beauty pageant took place on December 4 in Nanjing, China where 49 international beauties participated.

20 year old Asta from Vilnius stands 1.75m and currently a student and working as a model in her country.

Finished as 1st run-up was Kim Young-ma from Korea. 2nd run-up was China's Liu Yan Jun. In 3rd run-up was Sarah Laerke Pedersen from Denmark. And the 4th run-up was Portugal's Nuria Aida Jacinto Cardoso.

Completing the top 10 semi-finalists were: (Brazil) Stephanie Figueiredo Machado; (Czech Republic) Barbora Pleskacova; (Finland) Heidi Anneli Kallio; (Georgia) Natia Kacharava; and (Philippines) Bea Rose Monterde Santiago.

Miss Polski 2012 is Katarzyna Krzeszowska

22 year old Katarzyna Krzeszowska from Krynica-Zdroj won the title of Miss Polski 2012 during an annual pageant took place on December 8 at the Orlen Arena in Plock.

Finished as 1st run-up was Ewa Bedzia, while the 2nd run-up position went to Paulina Podlewska.

Standing 5'7.5" tall, Katarzyna will compete representing Poland in Miss World 2013 competition to be held on September 14, 2013 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Sentul, Bogor in Indonesia.