Miss Tennessee Erin Hatley is leaving Las Vegas with a $7,000 scholarship after her top 10 finish at Saturday’s Miss America Pageant.
Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler, who bears a strong resemblance to The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, became only the second Badger State resident to win the coveted title and a $50,000 scholarship.
Miss Kaeppeler, who won Wednesday’s talent preliminary with her rendition of the aria “Il Baca”, succeeds Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska.
Miss Hatley, a student at the University of Memphis, had been generating much Internet buzz throughout the week as one to watch on finals night. She sang the classic “Memory” in Italian for her talent presentation.
Miss Hatley’s success marked the third time in four years that Tennessee contestants finished in the top 10 at Miss America. Two years ago Stefanie Wittler of Soddy-Daisy was the second runner-up and in 2009, Ellen Carrington was a top seven finalist.