Miss Missouri crowned at Miss USA pageant

LOS ANGELES -- Miss Missouri Shandi Finnessey was crowned Miss USA in the 53rd annual pageant Monday night.

Finnessey, 25, was crowned by outgoing titleholder Susie Castillo, who represented Massachusetts in last year's pageant.

Finnessey, who said her favorite food is a supersized extra-value meal from McDonald's, will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in Quito, Ecuador, on June 1.

Amanda Helen Pennekamp, Miss South Carolina, was first runner-up. Ashley Rachel Puleo, Miss North Carolina, was second runner-up, followed by Miss Oklahoma Lindsay Hill and Miss Tennessee Stephanie Culberson.

Finnessey, a 5-foot-11, blue-eyed blonde, jumped up and down and pumped her right arm while steadying the crown with her left hand after winning.

She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology and counseling from Lindenwood University, and would like to use her counseling degree in a television job. She has published a children's book.

Finnessey, of Florissant, Mo., listed bungee jumping and wrestling a greased pig in a mud pit as the craziest things she has ever done.

The 51 contestants were trimmed to 15, then 10 semifinalists and finally five finalists for Monday's evening gown and swimsuit competitions.

The five finalists were asked questions written by their fellow contestants.

Finnessey was asked whether experience or education serves a person better in life.

"Definitely experience because you get your knowledge through experience," she said. "Each moment that comes by, I think that teaches you more knowledge than anything you could possibly read in a book."

The winner's prize package includes a New York City apartment for a year, extensive travel opportunities, a yearlong salary, and a two-year scholarship worth $45,000 to The School for Film and Television in New York.

The pageant is co-owned by NBC and Donald Trump, who opened the telecast by telling Castillo, "You're fired," his ubiquitous phrase from the network's hit show "The Apprentice."

Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush of "Access Hollywood" co-hosted the pageant at the Kodak Theatre. The event began in 1952 in Long Beach as a promotion for a swimsuit manufacturer.

The judges were race car driver Jeff Gordon, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, former NBA player John Salley, Mekhi Phifer of "ER," Rocco DiSpirito of "The Restaurant," and fashion designer Jill Stuart.