Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, September 19, 1993                   TAG: 9309190157
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.                                LENGTH: Medium

MISS SOUTH CAROLINA WINS CROWN

Aiken, 18, of Columbia, wept, laughed and jumped up and down after beating out hopefuls from the 49 other states. She hugged outgoing queen Leanza Cornett before walking down the runway to an instrumental version of "There She Is."

Miss Georgia Kara Kim Martin, 23, of Statesboro was first runner-up; Miss Ohio Titilayo Adedokun, 20, of Cincinnati, second runner-up; Miss Oregon Elizabeth Jeanne Simmons, 23, of Bandon, third runner-up; and Miss Virginia Nancy Glisson, 22, of Williamsburg, fourth runner-up.

Aiken, who sang a spine-tingling rendition of George Gershwin's "Summertime" during the talent competition, said she will use her year as queen to promote long-term solutions to homelessness.

"We sometimes donate food and clothing to homeless shelters but we never see what happens to them," said the University of South Carolina student, who wore a black fitted Spandex gown with a sheer bodice and sleeves.

"I've seen lot of homeless people. I've worked in homeless shelters. It's something we all need to get involved in."

The field of 50 contestants was narrowed to 10, then to five, semifinalists late Saturday after two weeks of competition in swimsuit, talent, interview and evening gown competition.

Aiken succeeds Cornett, 22, of Jacksonville, Fla. In addition to the title, the 1994 Miss America receives a $35,000 scholarship, a car and an estimated $200,000 in speaking fees.

Jeff Margolis, the producer hired to update the 73-year-old pageant, interspersed introductions of the contestants with musical numbers by cast members from Tommy Tune's "Grease."

Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford repeated their roles as hosts of the live show for the third consecutive year.

Margolis, who has produced several Academy Awards shows, had promised changes such as videos to attract the MTV generation to the pageant.

One video revealed behind-the-scenes action as contestants prepared for the pageant. Others showed the women at work and play. As part of the new format, contestants had to do their own hair and make-up and the dress code for the evening-wear competition was relaxed.

This year's competitors, who chose such issues as eating disorders, literacy and nutrition, arrived in Atlantic City on Labor Day.

They were put through interviews by judges and hundreds of reporters, frequent appearances before civic organizations and the public, and long hours rehearsing for the televised pageant.

Celebrity judges brought in for the final round of competition were TV producer Suzanne de Passe, TV and Broadway producer Pierre Cossette, Miss America 1971 Phyllis George, People magazine publisher Ann Moore, model Kim Alexis, actress Joan Van Ark, and talk-show host Dick Cavett.