The road to Miss U.S.A. is long, arduous, and littered with countless broken tiaras, rumpled sashes, and dried tears. The journey winds through regional and state competitions that ensure only the highest quality of combatants reach the national stage.
(Those singing lessons and teeth-bleaching sessions aren't for nothing, ladies. There's a variety of national beauty pageants. Yay, free market!)
Without further ado, let’s return to my countdown of Miss U.S.A. 2014 favorites.
14) Miss Delaware USA Kelsey Miller
Kelsey can stroke it from outside thanks to a lifetime of playing hoops.
13) Miss New York USA Candace Kendall
When Candace modeled for one of the Hunger Games premieres, she picked up archery. Just be sure to read the rules Candace if you end up selecting the bow for your talent portion.
12) Miss South Dakota USA Brittney Palmer
According to her bio video, Brittney was diagnosed with cancer in high school. She studied the effects of chemotherapy to the body and decided that treatment is not for her. She believes treatment is a case by case basis, and it seems to have worked for her so far.
11) Miss West Virginia USA Charisse Haislop
Not only does Charisse run a successful Pilates training business, she competes in pageants for her ailing friend who is fighting cancer.
10) Miss Idaho USA Yvette Bennett
Yvette, a world class track star, decided to become a beauty queen after her sister competed in the Miss Universe pageant.
9) Miss Colorado USA Eleanna Livaditis
Eleanna's parents' sheep skin business was once burned down by animal rights activists. It reopened the next day and continues to persevere. Damn those animal rights radicals.
8) Miss Utah USA Angelia Layton
A budding fashionista, Angelia is attending the Arts Institute for Fashion Retail Management on a full scholarship and hopes to own her own clothing line.
Tomorrow: #7 to #1!