Miss Venezuela, Jennifer Schell Dorante, was crowned the 2007 World Queen of the Banana on Sept. 21, 2007, in Machala, Ecuador. The first runner-up was Izaskun Arana from Ecuador, and the second runner-up was Jennifer Schott from Canada. The third runner-up was Laura Montoya Escobar from Colombia, and the fourth runner-up was Stephanie Arauz from Panama.

Barbara Tatara, 23, of Lódz has been crowned Miss Polonia 2007. She was also chosen as Miss Polonia Webs and Fans 2007 and will compete at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Anna Tarnowska, and the second runner-up was Ewelina Sienicka.

Sinem Ramazanoglu, a German of Turkish origin, has been chosen to represent Germany at Miss Earth.

Linnea Aaltonen, 19, was crowned Miss Finland World 2007 on Sept. 15, 2007. She will represent the country at Miss World. The first runner-up was Laura Vienonen, and the second runner-up was Minna Nikola. Ms. Aaltonen was last year's Miss Finland Earth.

It was announced on Sept. 4, 2007, that Jaimie Nicole of Nevada and Lori Yin of Florida had been chosen by voters from over 130 countries as The Ultimate Beauty Queens 2007. Both young women are models.

Roshni Kaur Soin was crowned Miss Singapore World on Aug. 25, 2007. She will compete at Miss World 2007 in Sanya, China. The first runner-up was Nurfarhana Bte Fayrhat Abbas, and the second runner-up was Desiree Yong Shi Ying. The third runner-up was Noor Erlynna Roslan, and the fourth runner-up was Roslin Misdar.

Mrs. Wyoming, Kelly McBee, 30, was crowned Mrs. America on Sept. 6, 2007, in Tucson, Ariz. The first runner-up was Mrs. Tennessee, Christina Ryan, who made national news during the pageant when she was bitten by a rattlesnake. (She recovered quickly). The second runner-up was Mrs. Nebraska, Michele Strom, and the third runner-up was Mrs. Oklahoma, Melissa Soto. The fourth runner-up was Mrs. New Mexico, Cortney Whitley, and the fifth runner-up was Mrs. California, KellyStornetta .

Samaria Martinez, 18, of Miami has been crowned Miss Florida Latina. Stephanie Gilbert, 17, of Tampa has been crowned Miss Teen Florida Latina. They will compete in the Miss Latina US and Miss Teen Latina US pageants on April 8, 2007.

It was announced on Sept. 3, 2007 that Seychelles would be the venue for Miss Intercontinental 2007. The pageant will be held Oct. 13. Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a flourishing tourist industry, has long been a player in the pageant world.

Yendi Phillipps, 21, competing as Miss Perfectil, was crowned Miss Jamaica World on Aug. 25, 2007. She will compete in the Miss World Pageant in China on Dec. 1, 2007. The first runner-up was Rosina Casserly, 18, and the second runner-up was Jody Shaw. The remaining finalists were Renae Ellis and Racquel Powell. Simone Poot was Miss Congeniality.

Caitlin Andrews has been crowned Miss Atlanta and will compete in the Miss Georgia (America) Pageant. The first runner-up was Rachel Evans, and the second runner-up was Courtney Piedrahita. The third runner-up was Aundrea Poole, and the fourth runner-up was Liza Pitts. Ms. Piedrahita was the talent and swimsuit winner. Malone Galster was crowned Atlanta's Outstanding Teen by decision of the pageant board and will compete at the state pageant.

Kidan Gebregziabher, 23, was crowned Miss Millennium Queen on Aug. 7, 2007, in an event timed with the celebration of the Ethiopian Millennium. Nardos Tafese, 18, was crowned Miss Millennium World. Hizbayesh Amare, 25, was crowned Miss Millennium Tourism. Eyerusalem Mulugeta, 23, was crowned Miss Millennium International. Semira Yasin, 21, was crowned Miss Millennium International. Gelila Woldeyohannes, 18, was crowned Miss Millennium Teen. Lidiya Assefa, 16, was crowned Miss Teen Millennium World. Mesgana Gebregziabher, 18, was crowned Miss Teen Millennium Tourism. Melkemarian Sikly, 19, was crowned Miss Teen Millennium International, and Bewunetwa Abebe, 17, was crowned Miss Teen Millennium Intercontinental.

Renee Baker of Loganville, Ga., won the Resaca Beach Calendar Girl Contest on Aug. 18, 2007, in Dalton, Ga. Second was Cherese Lopez of Buford, Ga., and third was Jeannette Bourke of Sharpsburg, Ga. The sixteen women selected for the 2008 Resaca Beach Calendar were Ms. Baker, Ms. Lopez and Bourke and Allie Pierce of Chattanooga, Tenn., Cattie Thompson of Chattanooga, Channing Moorer of Blountsville, Ala., Erica Soeder of Ringgold, Ga., Jackey Hall of Chatsworth, Ga., Kerry Dodd of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., Lauren Crawford of Athens, Ga., Rabecca Hewett of Dalton, Ga., Roberta Flores of Chattanooga, Shannon Williams of Leesburg, Ala., Tabitha Gilley of Bridgeport, Ala., Tiffany Wilbor of Newnan, Ga., and Tilae Lawrence of Temple, Ga.

Noelle Freeman of Carlsbad, Calif., was crowned Miss Teen World United States on Aug. 13, 2007, in Arizona. She represented California, and also was the winner of the Best State Costume, Fitness and Evening Gown awards. She was sponsored by Danfranc Productions. She was the winner of the Annual Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant held last April in Los Angeles. She will represent the United States at the Annual Miss Teen World Pageant in Toronto.

The Miss America Organization announced on Aug. 13, 2007, that the pageant has found a new TV home. The cable network TLC will air the Miss America Pageant on Jan. 26, 2008. The pageant, after being a staple of the broadcast networks for decades, had to move to cable in 2005 due to a declining overall share of ratings. It was on cable's CMT for two seasons, but that agreement was not renewed. TLC, part of Discovery Communications, was once known as the Learning Channel, hence the initials. But in recent years it has altered its programming content, as have numerous American cable networks.

Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen, Caitlin Brunell, was crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen on Aug. 11, 2007, in Orlando, Fla. It was the third staging of the national pageant, which is the "little sister" of Miss America. The first runner-up was Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen, Lindsey Brinton, and the second runner-up was Elena LaQuatra, Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen. The third runner-up was Mary Jane Hobgood, Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen, and the fourth runner-up was Ann-Blair Thornton, Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen. PNB thanks the Miss America Organization for its kind hospitality. Look for our extended feature very soon.

The 2007 Fifth Annual National American Queen Pageant took place in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Aug. 3-4, 2007. The 2007 National American Queens crowned are: Robyn Scott -- Miss Junior Teen American Queen (South Carolina); Peyton Saverance -- Miss Teen American Queen (Texas); Jacinta Devlin -- Miss American Queen (Maine); Melissa Walsh -- Ms. American Queen (North Carolina); Kate Stier -- Mrs. American Queen (Pennsylvania); Sheila Klein -- Ms. Classic American Queen (Texas).

Following are the Ms. United States 2007 results from Las Vegas, concluding on Aug.1, 2007: Ms. United States® 2007 – Lauren Wanger, Florida; First Alternate - Holli Owens, West Virginia; Second Alternate - Katie Jones, Virginia; Photogenic – Lauren Wanger, Florida; Congeniality – Deanna Mory, California; Creative Ad – Corrine Devin, Nevada; Supermodel with Style – Holli Owens, West Virginia; Redken Beautiful Hair Award – Cadi Pedigo, Louisiana. Ms. United States Woman 2007 – Sophia Hall, New York; First Alternate – Michelle Barry, New Mexico; Second Alternate – Brenda Piccirillo, Florida; Photogenic – Michelle Barry, New Mexico; Congeniality – Lucinda Poahway, Oklahoma; Creative Ad – Sophia Hall, New York; Pageantry Spirit Award – Lucinda Poahway, Oklahoma; Supermodel with Style – Sophia Hall, New York; Redken Beautiful Hair Award – Sophia Hall, New York.

Uruguay’s Giannina Silva captured the 2007 Miss Latin America title at the end of July 2007 in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

San Antonio’s Nicole Korrody, 15, of San Antonio has been named Miss Teen US Latina 2007. The decision was made at the end of July by Organizacion Miss America Latina, Inc. through a review process of all of the delegates under age 17 who competed in the 2006 National Pageant last September.

Olga Zarubina of Russia was crowned Miss Tourism Queen 2007 on July 31, 2007, in Zhengzhou, China. The first runner-up was Miss Thailand, Vasana Wongbuntree, and the second runner-up was Tamara Almeida Silva, representing Fernando de Noronha. The third runner-up was Eve Maciel, representing America. The fourth runner-up was Dominique La Veau of Trinidad and Tobago. The others among the 10 finalists were (in order) Shadee Braun of Curacao, Diane Mizumi Mwinga of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Marine Avetyan of Armenia, Martina Besikova of the Czech Republic, and Inessa Nazarova of Kyrgyzstan. The Africa winner was Marthe Natalie Houag of Cameroon. The Americas winner was Natalie Montes Geisha of the Dominican Republic. The Asia winner was Gankhuyag Oyungerel of Mongolia. The Europe winner was Minela Tmovac of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Oceania and Islands winner was Amy Jane Sutton of Australia. Vanessa Regina de Jesus of Brazil was the Photogenic winner. Anisa Abdilahi of Somalia was Miss Congeniality. Mahima Chaudhary of India was Miss Personality. Glory Rosari Oyong of Indonesia was the Press Princess. Mijeong Lim of Korea was best in qipao (Chinese costume). Ingrid Lopez Castillo of Honduras won best national costume. Ms. La Veau won Disco Queen. Best in Evening Gown was Uma Blasini of Puerto Rico. Ms. Sutton was Miss Bikini, and Ms. Braun was Miss Talent. Landy Pule of Tokelau was Miss Charity. Ariana Karina Diaz of Cuba was Miss Charm. Ma Wei of China won best smile. Laura Negrete Navarro of Spain was Miss Elegant.

Following are the results of the 2007 - 2008 Miss Georgia Girl State Pageant: Toddler Miss Georgia Girl -- Kyndal Leggett; Petite Miss Georgia Girl -- Gracie Orvin; Little Miss Georgia Girl -- Sammantha Simonton; Young Miss Georgia Girl -- Kira Brock; Jr. Teen Miss Georgia Girl -- Taylor Clark; Teen Miss Georgia Girl -- Rebecca Cartee; Miss Georgia Girl -- Lauren Ray; Ms. Georgia Girl -- Angela Landers; America's Mrs. Georgia -- Melanie Gossett-Caceres.

Putri Raemawasti, competing as Miss Jawa Timur, has been crowned Puteri Indonesia (Miss Indonesia Universe) 2007 in Jakarta. She will represent Indonesia in Miss Universe 2008.

Katherine David, 18, competing as Miss Santa Cruz, was crowned Miss Bolivia Universe on July 26, 2007. Sandra Hernandez was crowned Miss Bolivia World. Angelica Olavarria was crowned Miss Bolivia International. Carla Fuentes was crowned Miss Bolivia Earth. Adriana Saavedra was crowned Miss Bolivia Young.

Candi Fuller Johnson, 32, a former Mrs. Mississippi United States, died July 23, 2007, of injuries from an auto accident. She was involved in numerous pageants as a participant, judge and coach. She was Mrs. Mississippi United States 2001 and made the top 15 at the national pageant.

The 2007 Miss Bahamas World Contest was held July 22, 2007, in Nassau. The winner was Miss Motions, Anya Watkins, 21. She will represent the Bahamas at the Miss World contest in China. The first runner-up was 20-year-old Camille Kenney, Miss City 2000, who will represent the Bahamas at Miss Tourism Queen International 2008. The second runner-up was 22-year-old Ciji Adderly, Miss San Salvador, who will represent the Bahamas at the Miss Intercontinental Pageant in Slovakia.

Seven queens were crowned at the 4th Annual U.S. United Pageant on July 15, 2007 in Atlanta. The new queens are: Shecalyla Branes, Junior Miss (Georgia), Taniya Harris, Teen Miss (Georgia), Mathilda Adeosun, Miss US (Georgia), Julie Smith, Ms. (Missouri), Mary Schwartzkopf, Mrs. (Nebraska), DJ Peck, Elegant Ms, (Michigan), and Laura Giordano, Elite Ms (Georgia). Donnetta Andrews, Elite Ms. Massachusetts, was crowned the People's Choice and Laura Giordano, Elite, Ms. Georgia, and Nancy Sevier, Elite Ms. Louisana, shared the Community Service Award. The pageant's platform is breast cancer.

Angelina Glass, who represented Germany in Miss Universe 2007, has resigned for unknown reasons. She has been replaced by the first runner-up in her national pageant, Alexandra Kuszlik. Ms. Kuszlik presumably will not be eligible to compete for Miss Germany again and therefore will have no opportunity to compete at Miss Universe.

Alisha Julie-Ann Morgan was crowned TVJ Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2007 on July 15, 2007. She represented the parish of St. Thomas. The runners-up were St. Elizabeth queen, Kenise Ann-Marie Watson and Monique Jody-Ann Prescott from St. Catherine.

Camille Kenny, Miss City 2000, won the Bahamas Top Model title at the Miss Bahamas World swimsuit contest on July 15, 2007. She automatically advances to the Top 10 in the Miss Bahamas World contest, set for July 22, 2007, and will represent the Bahamas at the next Top Model of the World contest.

Kimberly Nicole Morgan, 24, who competed as Miss Heritage, was crowned Miss Mississippi (America) on July 14, 2007, in Vicksburg. The first runner-up was Amanda Harmon, and the second runner-up was Natalie Goldman. The third runner-up was Anna Elizabeth Tadlock, and the fourth runner-up was Danielle Smith.

Jessica Rafalowski, who represented Daytona Beach, was crowned Miss Florida USA on July 14, 2007. She will represent the Sunshine State at Miss USA 2008.

Crystal Garrett, 21, was crowned Miss South Carolina (America) on July 14, 2007, in Columbia. She will compete at Miss America.

Tracey Nicolaas was crowned Miss Aruba (Universe) 2007 on July 13, 2007. She will represent Aruba at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up -- and Miss Aruba World -- was Boyoura Martijn. The second runner-up, Jonella Oduber, will represent the island nation at Miss International.

Stephanie Hunt, 43, who represented Michigan, was crowned Mrs. United States on July 12, 2007.

On July 12, 2007, Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo, released copies of photos she had said were used in an attempt to blackmail her. They included pictures of Ms. Polumbo simulating pornographic poses and sexual play while fully clothed. Miss New Jersey organizers declared, correctly, that the pictures did not qualify as pornographic, and they allowed her to keep her title. But it raised questions about Ms. Polumbo's denials that the photos were "salacious." And skeptics continued to claim that the incident was a publicity stunt by the young blonde queen.

More than 2 years after moving its pageant from its birthplace, Atlantic City, the Miss America Organization has left the city altogether. The pageant announced on July 6, 2007, that its new headquarters was in Linwood, N.J., 15 miles away.

Miss New Jersey (America), Amy Polumbo, said on July 5, 2007, that she had been the subject of a blackmail attempt, but her explanation of the incident raised more questions that it answered. Ms. Palumbo, 22, said an anonymous person had threatened to reveal embarrassing photos of her, formerly posted on a personal Web site, if she did not resign her title by July 6. She declared she would not do so. But she and her family described the photographs as not nude or revealing, and refused to say why the pictures would be considered embarrassing. Cynics speculated that she was attempting to publicize her own career.