Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 20, 1993 TAG: 9309200028
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. LENGTH: Medium
Newly crowned Miss America Kimberly Clarice Aiken took a customary seaside frolic in front of a pack of photographers on Sunday. And, unlike her predecessor, Leanza Cornett, the 18-year-old Aiken said she likes to wear the rhinestone crown.
One of the youngest women to hold the title, Aiken - Miss South Carolina - bested 49 women to win the 1994 title Sunday morning.
"This has all been very overwhelming for me," she told reporters Sunday. "I am willing to accept the responsibilities.
Looking composed despite little sleep and a bad cold, Aiken said she wants to spend the next year working to help the homeless.
"My main goal is to get homeless people off the streets and get people who may become homeless not to be in that situation," she said. "I'd like to make the greatest difference."
Aiken is founder and president of the Homeless Education and Resource Organization in her hometown of Columbia, S.C. She said she has worked with children who live in homeless shelters and transitional housing. She has an uncle who was homeless, but Aiken said that was not the reason she got involved. She declined to comment on President Clinton's plans for the homeless.
Aiken, a student of both accounting and music, sang a moving rendition of George Gerswhin's "Summertime" during the talent portion of the finals.
She studied last year at the University of North Carolina and is enrolled this year at the University of South Carolina. She is the first Miss America from South Carolina since 1957 and the first 18-year-old crowned since Tawny Godin of New York won in 1976.
by CNB