Two local women take step toward Miss America Crown

February 24, 2008|By TIFFANY ARNOLD

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Two local women will get a second chance at the Miss West Virginia title, placing them a step closer to the big crown - Miss America.

Kasha Brown and Amber Miller were crowned Miss Berkeley County and Miss North Eastern, respectively, on Saturday at the Apollo Civic Theatre, clearing the first level of competition in the Miss America Organization's pageant system.

Brown, 21, of Charles Town, W.Va., and Miller, 21, of Hedgesville, W.Va., competed in the Miss West Virginia scholarship pageant last year. Saturday's six contestants included four from last year's state pageant.

Brown and Miller received $750 scholarships and $500 in-kind scholarships to Shepherd University. They will advance to the Miss West Virginia competition in June.

The winner of Miss West Virginia will represent the state at the Miss America pageant, said pageant director Shelley Nichols-Franklin.

Brown is the daughter of Milton and Lynn Brown. She sang "Listen" from the movie "Dreamgirls."

Miller is the daughter of William and Angela Miller. She did a hip-hop dance to Will Smith's "Wild, Wild West."

The bulk of the contestants' scores were determined by the talent portion of the competition, with the remainder of their scores determined by how they did in the interview, evening gown and swimsuit portions.

Melissa Godwin, 21, of Charles Town, was first runner-up and received a $250 scholarship. She is the daughter of Chris and Sharon Godwin.

Tiffany Lawrence, Miss West Virginia 2006, performed during the competition and crowned Miss Berkeley County.

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