Miss South Carolina Kimberly Clarice Aiken was crowned Miss America 1994 on Saturday night after telling judges she would spend the next year working to educate the homeless.
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 Ade-do-kun, 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 a 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 Saturday after two weeks of competition in swimsuit, talent, interview and evening gown.
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.
At a news conference after the pageant, a tearful Aiken said it would be hard to live up to Cornett's example. As Miss America, Cornett worked to promote AIDS awareness. "Those are going to be some hard footsteps to follow," Aiken said. "But I'm going to do my very best."
Jeff Margolis, the producer hired to update the 73-year-old pageant, interspersed introductions of the contestants with musical numbers from "Grease."
Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford were hosts of the show for the third consecutive year.
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.