Miss Florida Leanza Cornett, a 21-year-old college student from Jacksonville, was crowned Miss America 1993 Saturday night.
Cornett, who wowed the judges by singing "A New Life," received her crown from her predecssor, Carolyn Sapp of Hawaii.A communications major at Rollins College, Cornett listed her ambitions as wife and mother and the stage and screen. But she said she hopes to continue to be a volunteer.
Miss Iowa Catherine Ann Lemkau, a widely traveled singer and social worker, was named first runner-up, while Miss Indiana Shelli Renee Yoder finished third.
Cornett survived the winnowing down to 10 finalists, based on preliminary scores in talent, swimsuit and evening gown. A panel of celebrity judges narrowed the field to five before selecting the winner.
This year's show, hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Regis Philbin, included a tribute to Bert Parks, the longtime host, who died in February.
The 1993 Miss America receives a $35,000 scholarship and a grueling year of personal appearances and travel before she hands over the crown to her successor. Runners-up and contestants get smaller scholarships.
The pageant, begun in 1921 as a beauty contest aimed at extending Atlantic City's tourist season into September, now bills itself as a scholarship competition, aimed at promoting physical fitness and social responsibility. But the contestants are all attractive, slim and well-equipped to show off a swimsuit to advantage.
There have been changes in recent years. Sapp starred in a TV movie about her abuse at the hands of a boyfriend, scheduled to be aired Monday on NBC, which also broadcast the pageant.
This year's field also included the pageant's first medical doctor, Carrie Lee Davis of South Carolina. Miss Tennessee Leah Hulan, whose hobbies include biathlon competition, spent two years in Army Intelligence, including active duty during the gulf war.
The celebrity judges were Donna Axum, Miss America 1964; NBC newscaster Faith Daniels; actor Michael Dorn; actor Dann Florek; choreographer Susan Stroman; actress Cindy Williams; and 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie, a figure skater.