There She Is: Miss America

In just a few days, she would win the coveted crown. Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, right, looks at Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry's crown, bottom left, as she waits backstage at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Jan. 25, 2007. Others with her were Miss New Jersey, Georgine DiMaria, second from right; Miss New York, Bethlene Pancoast; Miss North Dakota, Annette Olson, and Miss Nevada Caydi Cole, in gold dress.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, walks in a swimsuit on the stage during a rehearsal for the 2007 Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007. She went on to win the title of Miss America on Monday night, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, left, and Miss Texas, Shilah Phillips, take the stage after Nelson won the swimsuit contest and Phillips won the talent contest during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, sings "You'll Be In My Heart" at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, reacts to winning Miss America 2007 with Miss Texas, Shilah Phillips, at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007. The first black Miss Texas was first runner-up while Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak, was second runner-up. Miss Mississippi, Taryn Foshee, and Miss Alabama, Melinda Toole, rounded out the top five.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, is crowned Miss America 2007 by Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry at the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Newly crowned Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, reacts as she walks on the runway at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, center, is congratulated by her competitors after being crowned Miss America 2007 at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Oklahoma, Lauren Nelson, waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss America 2007 at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Host Mario Lopez speaks to the audience at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Washington, Kristen Eddings, center, reacts after she made the top 10 contestants at the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

Miss Alabama, Melinda Toole, walks in a swimsuit during a rehearsal for the 2007 Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007. The congeniality prize was awarded to Miss Alabama.

Miss Pennsylvania, Emily Wills, poses in a swimsuit during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. Wills won the swimsuit contest that night.

Miss Texas, Shilah Phillips, poses in a swimsuit during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007.

Miss Colorado, Janie Allen, walks in a swimsuit during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007.

Miss California, Jacquelynne Fontaine, sings during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. Fontaine won the talent contest that night.

Miss Ohio, Melanie Murphy, performs during the talent preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007

Miss Nebraska, Molly McGrath, performs during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007.

Miss Wisconsin, Meghan Coffey, dances during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007.

Miss Hawaii, Pilialoha Gaison, performs a Tahitian dance during the preliminary competition for the Miss America Pageant at the Aladdin hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Gaison won the talent contest that night.