Miss Virginia named Miss America 2010

Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron is named Miss America 2010.

The 22-year-old Cameron is from Fredricksburg, Va., and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her platform is "Real Talk: AIDS in America," and her scholastic goal is to obtain her master's degree in mass communications. She receives a $50,000 scholarship.

Cameron's career ambition is to be a television anchor.

The first runner up is Miss California Kristy Cavinder. The second runner up is Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler; the third runner up is Miss Louisiana Katherine Putnam and the fourth runner up is Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin.

It's all over until next year.

***

The Top 10 contestants answer random questions from people on the Las Vegas Strip. Three more will be eliminated.

Miss California is asked about athletes who receive millions of dollars in endorsements. Should they be positive role models? She answers that everyone should live an appropriate lifestyle and be role models for youngsters.

Miss New Mexico is asked if we, as Americans, who are part of the international community, should learn foreign languages. Yes, she said, foreign languages should be offered in schools and students be encouraged to learn.

Miss Virginia is asked since Miss America promotes physical fitness and so many young people are overweight, what should we do as a nation. She said to take away television and video games and go outside and play like she did when she was a child.

Miss Hawaii is asked if internet social networking sites are safe. She said it is, but parents should monitor their children.

Miss Tennessee is asked which is better, tough love or being gentle as far as constructive criticism goes. She said a little bit of both. She's always given constructive criticism and a gymnastics teacher, is gentle but firm.

Miss Louisiana was asked why America is always the first to send aid to disaster stricken areas when there are people in America who need help. She answered with an anecdote about a friend who went to Haiti.

Miss Kentucky was asked if athletes who admit they used drugs be banned for life. She said everyone deserves a second chance.

Good-bye Miss District of Columbia, Miss Nebraska and Miss Texas.

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam gives her final speech and walk in the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

Next: The announcement of Miss America.

***

After the commercial break, seven contestants are left for the five positions left.

First up: Miss Nebraska Brittany Jeffers dancing to a number from the movie hit and Broadway musical "Legally Blonde."

Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler sings "I Will Always Love You."

Miss Texas Kristen Blair sings a Puccini aria.

Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin sings "On My Own" from "Les Miserables."

Miss Hawaii Raeceen Woolford does a hula dance.

Say good-bye, Miss Oklahoma Taylor Treat and Miss Colorado Katie Layman.

Next up: the all-important interview.

***

Even though the 12 semi-finalists on stage, ready to compete in the talent competition, only 10 of them will be able show off their talent.

Miss California, Kristy Cavinder, performed a ballet en pointe to "Le Corsair."

Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron sang a number from "Dreamgirls."

Miss District of Columbia Jen Corey sang a Puccini aria.

Miss New Mexico Nicole Miner sang "Somewhere" from "West Side Story."

Miss Louisiana Katherine Putnam played a piece on the piano.

Commercial break.

***

After the swimsuit competition, the 15 semi-finalists were cut to 12.

The top 12 are Miss Oklahoma, Taylor Treat; Miss Kentucky, Mallory Ervin; Miss Tennessee, Stefanie Wittler; Miss Colorado, Katie Layman; Miss California, Kristy Cavinder; Miss Hawaii, Raeceen Woolford; Miss Louisiana, Katherine Putnam; Miss District of Columbia, Jen Corey; Miss New Mexico, Nicole Miner; Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron; Miss Texas, Kristen Blair; Miss Nebraska, Brittany Jeffers.

These 12 competed in evening wear and are waiting for two more to be cut before starting the talent competition.

***

The 2010 Miss America Pageant is in the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas.

After the prerequisite production number where dancers and non-dancers alike did steps to the Black-Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feelin'," wearing black sheaths, host Mario Lopez announced the semi-finalists.

The first three were chosen by cell phone users: Miss Arkansas, Sarah Slocum; Miss Oklahoma, Taylor Treat and Miss Kentucky, Mallory Ervin.

The judges' selections: Miss Tennessee, Stefanie Wittler; Miss Colorado, Katie Layman; Miss California, Kristy Cavinder; Miss Indiana, Nicole Pollard; Miss Hawaii, Raeceen Woolford; Miss Louisiana, Katherine Putnam; Miss District of Columbia, Jen Corey; Miss New Mexico, Nicole Miner; Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron; Miss Texas, Kristen Blair and Miss Nebraska, Brittany Jeffers.

The contestants who were not named one of the semi-finalists chose Miss Oregon, CC Barber, who was the 15 semi-finalists.

The 15 semi-finalists next competed in swimsuit. They all wore two-piece, black suits.

Alas, Miss Georgia, Emily Cook, was not chosen.

This story was originally published January 30, 2010 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Miss Virginia named Miss America 2010."