Miss Clovis felt right at home as she was crowned Miss California.
The loudest applause for Tiffany Stoker, a Brigham Young University student, came after she was announced the winner of the talent and scholarship pageant on Saturday night. Because Clovis is just a few miles from Fresno, more than 100 of Stoker's family and friends had crowded into Saroyan Theater to cheer for her.They didn't let her forget they were there.
"It's comforting to have so many fans here supporting me," Stoker said. "It's so nice to be on stage and to hear them yell loud for me. It was humbling to say the least."
Stoker, a senior broadcast communications major at BYU, cupped her hands over her mouth after she was named Miss California.
She performed a stirring rendition of "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera."
Stoker, 21, will represent California in the 75th Miss America Pageant. She also won a $10,000 scholarship and a new wardrobe.
For the first time in Miss California's 71-year history, the contestants went barefoot down the runway. Previous entrants had to balance on high heels in the swimsuit competition.