Cristina Carmago, 23, of Colombia won the 2008 Miss Intercontinental Final in the last week of October 2008 in Poland. The winners of the continent titles were: Vanessa Guimaraes of Brazil -- Miss Intercontinental Americas; Yakovina Liubou of Belarus -- Miss Intercontinental Europe: Lilian Lee of Singapore -- Miss Intercontinental Asia Pacific; Florelisa de Jesus of the Dominican Republic -- Miss Intercontinental Caribbean; Sophia Marie of the Seychelles -- Miss Intercontinental Africa. Khatuna Skhirtladze of Georgia was honored for Best National Costume, Kristina Palianova of Ukraine was named Miss Photogenic and Aneta Sychrova of the Czech Republic was honored for Best Body. The winner of Miss Congeniality was Peerada Kajornmalee of Thailand.

In her fourth try for the crown, Lacey Minchew of Baton Rouge has been crowned Miss Louisiana USA. The film actress took the title at the Heymann Performing Arts Theater in Lafayette in a “Top Model”-themed show beautifully choreographed by Dr. Donald Campbell of Atlanta. Alexandra Lewis of Lafayette was her first runner-up as well as the “Get Wet” preliminary swimsuit winner. Lauren Edwards of Baton Rouge took Miss Photogenic honors, while Morgan Murray of Westlake was named Miss Congeniality. On the same evening and stage, Brittany Guidry of Houma was named Miss Louisiana Teen USA. Her first runner-up was Kristen Girault of Metairie, also winner of the Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality awards. The “Get Wet” preliminary swimsuit winner in the Teen division was Mallory Cramer of Baton Rouge. Dr. Dana Rosengard served as master of ceremonies once again this year and Miss Louisiana USA 1978 Tauny Hanes was among the many returning titleholders helping to present awards at the end of the two-night affair. Dr. Rosengard, an accomplished emcee and longtime friend of PNB, provided this report.

Talat Model Management has announced that Yosra Kadret has been fired as Miss Iraq has be fired due to what was described as a failure to live up to the organization's standards. She reigned from June 3, 2008, to Oct. 24, 2008. Jessica Kadoorie, the original first runner-up to Miss Iraq 2008, will serve in a caretaker role and crown the next winner but will not hold the title because of contractual conflicts involving her modeling work.

Miss Teen World Bahamas, Darronique Young has been crowned Miss Teen Mundial (Teen World) 2008. It is the third victory in a row for the Bahamas.

Geisy Hernandez has been replaced as Miss Cuba for Miss Earth because of difficulty in obtaining travel documents to the pageant in Manila, Philippines. She has been replaced by Jessica Silva.

Diana Franca, 19, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was crowned Miss Latina US 2009 on Sept. 28, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas. The first runner-up was Johanna Sambucini, 21, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and the second runner-up was Sasha Zacarias, 19, of Providence, R.I. The third runner-up was Valerie Velazquez, 23, of San Antonio, and the fourth runner-up was Nancy Pelayo, 26, of Valencia, Calif. Special awards were as follows: Best Heritage Dress -- Miss Tennessee Latina, Mariela Flores, 21, of Madison, Tenn. President's Award for Outstanding Achievement and Academic Excellence -- Miss Bolivia US Latina, Helen Araoz, 26, of Vienna, Va.

Marissa Castro, 15, of El Paso, Texas, was crowned Miss Teen US Latina 2009. The first runner-up was Rosalia Alvarez, 17, representing US Cuba, and the second runner-up was Ashley Campuzano, 16, of Downey, Calif. The third runner-up was Samantha Ortiz, 16, representing US El Salvador, and the fourth runner-up was Daleska Jimenez, 16, of Providence, R.I. The President's Award for Outstanding Achievement and Academic Excellence went to Ms. Ortiz.

Whitney Toyloy, 18, of Yverdon, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, was crowned Miss Switzerland 2008 on Sept. 27, 2008. She was also Miss Photogenic. She is biracial, with an African-American father, and will compete at Miss Universe 2009 and possibly Miss World 2008. The first runner-up was Rekha Datta of Zürich, and the second runner-up was Lisa Panigada. The others in the Top 6 were Emilie Lindblom, Dominique Knill and Alessia Novak, who was also Miss Congeniality.

Denay Thompson was crowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic Zone Las Vegas on Sept. 25, 2008. Judges included Randy and Kim Couture, former Miss America runner-up Washington Elyse Umemoto of Washington state and Dr. Samir Pancholi of Cosmetic Surgery of Las Vegas.

Karla Carrillo, 20, of Jalisco was crowned Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2008 on Sept. 20, 2008. She will represent Mexico in Miss Universe 2009. Perla Beltran of Sinaloa was crowned Nuestra Belleza Mundo. She will go to Miss World 2009. Laura Zuniga of Sinaloa was chosen as a back-up in case either of the other two cannot fulfill her obligations. Ms. Zuniga also will go to Miss International 2009.

Anais Veerapatren, 22, was crowned Miss Mauritius on Sept. 19, 2008. She will represent Mauritius at Miss Universe 2008 and possibly at Miss World 2009. The first runner-up was Laura Grenouille, and the second runner-up was Rachel Lacharmante. Asvin Chunoo, 19, was chosen Mister Mauritius World.

The Little Miss East Coast America Pageant, sponsored by Ummu Bradley Thomas and the Freddie Bell Jones Modeling & Finishing School, Inc., crowned DaMya Potts of Preston, Md., as its 2008-2009 Queen on Sept. 14, 2008.

Angelika Jakubowska was crowned Miss Polonia 2008 on Sept. 13, 2008. She will represent Poland in Miss Universe 2009, and possibly in Miss Earth 2008. The first runner-up was Ewa Chelmiska, and the second runner-up was Paulina Kwasniewska.

Stefania Fernandez, 18, who competed as Miss Trujillo, was crowned Miss Venezuela 2008 on Sept. 10, 2008. She will compete in Miss Universe 2009. Maria Milagros Veliz, 25, who competed as Miss Anzoategui, was crowned Miss Venezuela World 2008. She competes in Miss World 2009. Laksmi Rodriguez, who competed as Miss Monagas, was crowned Miss Venezuela International 2008.

Madina Taher, the winner of Germany´s Miss Universe 2008 and German delegate in Miss Universe 2008, has resigned due to apparent time restraints. Her first runner-up, Larissa Krumhoff, has assumed the title until Germany´s Miss Universe 2009 will be crowned in spring 2009.

The Miss Cuba Organization has announced that the new Miss Cuba Earth 2008 is Geisy Hernandez.

College student Natalie Chiew, 22, an aspiring policewoman, was crowned Miss Malaysia Global Beauty Queen 2008 National on Aug. 24, 2008. She also grabbed two subsidiary titles: Miss Global Charming Style Flash and Miss Global Congeniality Perut Rumah. She will represent Malaysia at the international finals in Xiangshan, China, in September 2008. College student Sandra Yap, 18, of Penang was the first runner-up. She won four subsidiary titles: Miss Emerald Capital, Miss Global Personality Feeling, Miss Global Best Catwalk RG Creation and Miss Global Popularity Island Plaza. The second runner-up was college student Stephanie Tan, 21, of Kedah. She clinched the Miss Global Amusement title.

Amy Jackson, 16, of Liverpool, England, was crowned Miss Teen World 2009 on Aug. 23, 2008, in Houston, Texas.

Nicosia Lawson, 25, representing the district of George Town, was crowned Miss Cayman 2008 on Aug. 23, 2008. She will represent the Cayman Islands at Miss World 2008 and Miss Universe 2009. The first runner–up was Danielle Ebanks. The second runner-up was Rachel King.

Micah Pelham of Abbeville, Ala., representing Greater Dothan Forestry, captured the 7th Annual Miss Alabama Forestry title on June 14, 2008, in Auburn, Ala. The first runner-up was Brooke Stinson, representing Coffee County, and the second runner-up was Raquel Martin, representing Autauga County. The third runner-up was Kayla Moore, representing Wiregrass Forestry, and the fourth runner-up was Jordan Hall representing Greater Enterprise Forestry. Ms. Pelham was also the recipient of the Evening Gown Award, the Portfolio Award and the Stage Presence Award. Ashlee Silavent, representing Tuscaloosa County, won the Interview Award. Micah will be traveling the State of Alabama and promoting the Forestry Industry by appearing at public speaking engagements, festivals, the Mountain Longleaf Festival, appearing for the Auburn Forestry Alumni and for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Office. Sara-Bethany Smith, 16, representing Dale County Forestry, was crowned the 2008 Teen Miss Alabama Forestry. She is from Ozark, Ala. Meg McGuffin, representing Pike County, won the Interview Award, and Mackenzie Gammon, representing Cullman County, won the Evening Gown Award. The first runner-up was Mackenzie Gammon, representing Cullman County. The second runner-up was Melina Newman, representing Jefferson County, and the third runner-up was Meg McGuffin, representing Pike County, and the fourth runner-up was Katherine King, representing Tri-County.

Miss South Carolina's Outstanding Teen, Taylor Fitch, was crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen on Aug. 16, 2008, in Orlando, Fla. She is the fourth holder of the title. The pageant is the "little sister" of the Miss America system. The first runner-up was Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen, Julia Rae Schlucter, and the second runner-up was Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen, Sloane Roberts. The third runner-up was Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen, Joanna Guy, and the fourth runner-up was Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen, Sydnee Stottlemyre.

Stevi Lauren Perry of Arkansas was crowned Miss Teen USA 2008 on Aug. 16, 2008, on Paradise Island, Bahamas. She is 18. The first runner-up was Brittany Pjetraj of South Carolina, and the second runner-up was Julia Dalton of North Carolina. The third runner-up was Lindsey Evans of Louisiana, and the fourth runner-up was Shareece Laree Pfeiffer of Idaho. The Photogenic winner was Sana Idnani of New York, and Miss Congeniality was Elizabeth Hollomon of Mississippi. It was the first Miss Teen USA Pageant on foreign soil and the first not to be shown live on network television.

The third annual Theodore Elyetts Miss Teen Bahamas World & Miss Teen Bahamas Intercontinental pageants for 2008/2009 were held the weekend of Aug. 16-17, 2008. The winners were Darraonique Young, Miss Teen Bahamas World, first runner-up and Miss Teen Bahamas Intercontinental, Lathra Tinker, and second runner-up Ashley Hamilton.

Ivan Rusilko, a 24-year-old professional model from Meadville, Pa., has been crowned Mister USA in Boston. He will represent the United States in the Mister International 2008 pageant in Taiwan in November 2008. The first runner-up was Markus Ricci, 24, of Wayland, Mass. The second runner-up was Calisto Harvalias, 22, of Whitsett, N.C., and the third runner-up was Gbadebo Williams, 23, of New York City. The fourth runner-up was Shafik Bahou, 21, of, Nashua, New Hampshire. The remaining three contestants were: Nicholas Ferrara, 20, of Swansea, Mass.; Marcus Boutte, 21, of Houston, Texas; and Rob Tannozzini, 21, of Boston. Special awards were Mister Photogenic - Nicholas Ferrara; Mister Congeniality - Calisto Harvalias; Best Personal Style - Marcus Boutte; Best Physique - Ivan Rusilko; Best Smile - Ivan Rusilko; Most Handsome Face - Marcus Boutte; Best in Swimwear - Markus Ricci; Critical Beauty Spirit Award - Shafik Bahou; HJ Blog Mister Internet - Markus Ricci. The event was produced and presented by Critical Beauty, one of the world's leading pageant firms based in Boston.

Samira Murphy of Georgia was crowned Teen Miss Black United States 2008 in Atlanta on Aug. 9, 2008. She won both the photogenic competition and the talent competition with a performance of Arthur Miller's play "Death of Salesmen."

Jackie Tvrdik, 23, was crowned Miss American Queen on Aug. 2, 2008, at the national pageant in Daytona Beach, Fla. She was representing her home, Virginia, in the national pageant. In addition Jackie won the Interview preliminaries and the People's Choice Award, an online poll.

The Puteri Indonesia 2008 finals were held in Jakarta on Aug. 16, 2008. The winner was Zivanna Letisha Serigar, 19, representing DKI Jakarta 6. She will represent Indonesia in Miss Universe 2009. The first runner-up was Ayu Diandra Sari, 19, representing Bali, and the second runner-up was Anggi Mahesti, 20, representing Yogyakarta.

Anne Katrin Walter, 21, who competed as Miss Schleswig-Holstein, was crowned Miss World Deutschland 2008 on Aug. 9, 2008, in Erfurt, Germany. The medical student will represent Germany at Miss World 2008. The first runner-up was Josephine Büttner, 23, Miss Thüringen, and the second runner-up was Linda Leiste, 18, Miss Brandenburg.

The annual Miss Georgia Girl State pageant was held in Atlanta on July 18-19, 2008. The winners were Miss Georgia Girl - Christine Puckett; Teen Miss Georgia Girl - Mary Margaret Bishop; Jr. Teen Miss Georgia Girl - Cara Tripodis; Young Miss Georgia Girl - Victoria Kokinos; Ms. Georgia Girl - Amanda Hamilton; America's Mrs. Georgia - Sharon Kokinos; Grand Miss Georgia Girl - Emily Garmon.

Recent winners for Texas United America are: Mrs. Texas UA -- Kelly Burns; Miss Texas UA -- Amanda Middleton; Miss Teen Texas UA -- Jacqueline Johnson; Miss Jr. Teen Texas UA -- Taylor Henry; Ms. Texas UA -- Peg Anderson; Ms. Classic Texas UA -- Vienna De La Garza.

Seon Na-Ri was crowned Miss Korea 2008 on Aug. 6, 2008, in South Korea. She will go to Miss Universe 2009. The first runner-up was Choi Bo-in, and the second runner-up was Kim Min-jung.

Dianne Croes, 21, won the Miss Aruba 2008 Pageant on Aug. 2, 2008. She will now represent Aruba in Miss Universe 2009. The first runner-up was Nuraisa Carelys Lispier, who will probably go to Miss World 2008.

Kaitlyn Tarpey, 16, of New York, was crowned Miss Teen America on Aug. 2, 2009. She took top honors in Interview, Talent, Style, and shared the Swimsuit honors. Savannah Schechter, 14, of New Jersey, was the first runner-up. She shared the Swimsuit honors and won the Photogenic award. The second runner-up was Ilsa Levine, 18, of Texas, who won the Evening Wear award. The third runner-up was Mollie Parker, 15, of Arkansas. Tiffany Amariuta, 14, of Massachusetts was the fourth runner-up.

Chelsea Belanger was crowned America's Miss 2008 on July 5, 2008 Orlando, Fla. She celebrated her 21st birthday on the same day she became America's Miss 2008. She represented Maryland but has recently moved to Texas. She also won the fitness wear, formal wear and People's Choice awards. The first runner-up was Erin McKown, America's Miss Georgia. She also received the Miss Congeniality Award. The second runner-up was Stephanie Litton, America's Miss North Carolina, who also received the Academic Achievement Award. Hannah Mollerick, 17, of Laurel, Md., was crowned America's Miss Teen 2008. She won the fitness wear competition in the Teen division, and the optional Swimwear and Party Wear competitions. The first runner-up was Victoria Doran, America's Miss Virginia Teen. She was also named Miss Photogenic and received the People's Choice Award. The second runner-up was Elizabeth Bryan, America's Miss Alabama Teen. She received the Academic Achievement Award and won the formal wear competition.

Page Weinstein, 10, of Pennsylvania is the new Jr. Teen Miss Christian United States. She was crowned by Mi'chal Ryan Jr. Teen Christian US ‘08. Page attends Peters Creek Baptist Church. She will compete in the 2009 Jr. Teen Miss Christian International Pageant. Barbara “Beth” Eutzy, 17, of Pennsylvania is the new Teen Miss Christian United States. She was crowned by Madeleine Southern Teen Miss Christian United States ‘08. The high school senior attends First Assembly of God and plans to attend Valley Forge Christian College. She will compete in the 2009 Teen Miss Christian International Pageant. Autumn Brown, 21, of Wisconsin is the new Miss Christian United States. She was preceded by Yveliz Santiago, Miss Christian United States ‘08. Autumn attends Pilgrim Lutheran Church and is a senior at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. She will compete at the 2009 Miss Christian International Pageant. Kimberly Chryss, 33, of California is the new Ms Christian United States 2009. She was crowned by Trinidad Andino, the reigning Ms Christian International and former Ms Christian United States 2008. Ms. Chryss is a single mother of five. She will be competing at the Ms. Christian International Pageant. Tonoah Hampton, 35, of Maryland is the new Mrs. Christian United States 2009. She was crowned by Marisha Thompson, Mrs. Christian United States 2008. The first runner-up was Mrs.DC Christian United States, Tishema Miller. Ms. Hampton attends Set the Captive Free Outreach Ministries. She will compete at the Mrs. Christian International Pageant. The international pageant is in September 2008.

Rosarita Tawil was crowned Miss Lebanon 2008 on July 11, 2008. She will represent Lebanon in Miss World 2008 and Miss Universe 2009. The first runner-up was Stephanie Salem, and the second runner-up was Michella Haddad.

Nevena Lipovac of Belgrade was crowned Miss Serbia on July 4, 2008. The runners-up were Dragana Atlija, who will go to Miss Universe, and Milica Nedeljkovic, who will go to Miss Europe.

Shawn Cunningham has been named Ms. Maine Woman of Achievement 2009. She will compete for the national title of Ms. Woman of Achievement 2009, which is an online pageant system based on achievement, community service and service platform.

Tinnyse Johnson was crowned Miss Bahamas World on June 29, 2008. The first runner-up was Tiara Cooper, and the second runner-up was Crystal Bethel. Other finalists were Azaria Claire and Sharanna Thompson.

Chasity Hardman was crowned Miss Georgia on June 28, 2008, in Columbus. She will be the second black woman to represent Georgia in the Miss America Pageant.

Shauna Rowland of Norcross was crowned Mrs. Georgia America on June 22, 2008, in Roswell. She also won the physical fitness category. Melanie Caceres was the first runner-up.

Japanese-born Nina Kasuga, 20, was crowned Miss Asia Arizona on June 21, 2008, in greater Phoenix. She will compete in the Miss Asian America Pageant in August 2008 in San Francisco. Rachanee Jaurequi was the first runner-up. and Ilene Willingham was the second runner-up. Kajal Patel was the third runner-up, and Teri Yu was the fourth runner-up.

Diane Yoo, 26, of Houston, competing as Miss Korea, was crowned Miss Asia USA 2008 on June 21, 2008, in Glendale, Calif. The first runner-up was Brittany Chen, Miss Taiwan, and the second runner-up was Linda Tram Nguyen, Miss Vietnam. The third runner-up was Liane Valenzuela, Miss Philippines, and the fourth runner-up was Tamanno Kamiljanova, Miss Uzbekistan. Ms. Yoo won Best National Costume. Chanita Thinrat, Miss Thailand, was Miss Photogenic, and Miss Cambodia, Ouch Chourp, was Miss Congeniality. Ms. Chen was Miss Popularity, and Sophia Garsevanian, Miss Armenia, was Miss Friendship. The Award of Courage went to Ayako Kosuge, Miss Japan.

Kristen White of Stone Mountain, Ga., has been crowned Miss Black USA. The pageant took place in Las Vegas in mid-June 2008.

Jeannette Bourke, 23, of Sharpsburg, Ga., won the Miss Resaca Beach Calendar Girl Contest on June 14, 2008, in Dalton, Ga. The first runner-up was Sunshine Rodriguez, 22, of Morrow, Ga., and the second runner-up was Loren Carpenter. Both won generous prize packages. The sixteen women selected for the 2010 2010 Resaca Beach Calendar were, in addition to Ms. Bourke and Ms. Rodriguez, Amanda Meredith, 26, of Sharpsburg, Amanda Rutherford, 24, of Kodak, Tenn., Annette Holliman (popularly known as Pokahontas), 23, of Maryville, Tenn., Ashley Faulkner, 21, of Hixson, Tenn., Brooke Waters, 20, of Hiram, Ga., Cattie Thompson, 20, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Chelsea Tiller, 19, of Buford, Ga., Christianna Aronstam, 24, of Nashville, Tenn., Erica Soeder, 22, of Ringgold, Ga., Loren Carpenter (Loren Grace), 19, of Douglasville, Ga., Megan Bales, 27, of Chattanooga, Michelle Sacco, 22, of Carrollton, Ga., Shona Hood, 31, of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Teal Ann Lingenfelse, 19, of Acworth, Ga. The two alternates selected for the calendar shoot were Shanai Bennett, 23, of Atlanta and Kellie Smith, 20, of Rome, Ga. Many other prizes and opportunities went to various contestants.

Lynn Kelly, 21, of Dublin was crowned Miss Ireland on June 7, 2008. She will represent the nation at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Lorraine Turner, 26.

Marelize Robberts was crowned Miss Namibia 2008 on June 7, 2008. She will compete in Miss World 2008 and possibly Miss Universe 2009. The first princess was Leani Roux, and the second princess was Kimera Markowitz.

On June 3, 2008, Talat Model Management named Yusra Kadret as the new Miss Iraq 2008. She was second runner-up in the most recent Miss Iraq Pageant. There had been plans to give the first runner-up the title, after it was vacated by the winner, but the first runner-up had already made other commitments.

Karine Barros, an 18-year-old model from Recife, was crowned Miss World Pernambuco 2009 on May 30, 2008. She will represent the state at Miss World Brazil.

Former PNB cover girl Meredith Boyd was crowned Mrs. Georgia International 2008 on May 4, 2008, in Gainesville, Ga. The first runner-up was Rebecca Weisler, and the second runner-up was Belinda Lewis. The fitness, evening gown and paperwork awards went to Mrs. Boyd.

Talat Model Management has announced that Jessica Kadoorie, who was first runner-up in the Miss Iraq Pageant, has assumed the title of Miss Iraq 2008 after the resignation of winner Myra Adel. She will room with Miss Teen Iraq, Hamida Azhar. Also, Naif, 30, of Samawa in southern Iraq, has been appointed Mister Iraq 2008, capping a tumultuous year in which the Mister Iraq Pageant did not take place due to lack of funds. The site www.iraqibeauties.blogspot.com will enable the world's pageant fans to keep up with their Iraqi favorites.

Mariann Birkedal, 21, of Stavanger was crowned Miss Norway Universe on May 31, 2008.

Claudia Ferraris, 19, of Bergamo, who competed as Miss Lombardia, was crowned Miss Italy Universe on May 31, 2008, in Riccione.

Nguyen Thuy Lam, 20, was crowned Miss Vietnam Universe 2008 on May 31, 2008. Vietnam will play host to the Miss Universe Pageant for the first time this year. The first runner-up was Vo Hoang Yen, and the second runner-up was Duong Truong Thien Ly.

Charlotte Labee, 22, was crowned Miss Netherlands Universe 2008 on May 31, 2008, in The Hague. The first runner-up was Jelena Petrova, and the second runner-up was Milou Verhoeks.

Levy Li Su Lin, 20, of Utar was crowned Miss Malaysia Universe 2008 on May 30, 2008. The first runner-up was Jean Thor, and the seoond runner-up was Valerie Chan.

Alexandra Helga Ívarsdóttir, 18, of Reykjavík was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2008 (Miss Iceland 2008) on May 30, 2008. The first runner-up was Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir, 23, of Austfirðingur, and the second runner-up was Sonja Björk Jónsdóttir, 18, of Svarfaðardal.

Amanda Sululu was crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2008 on May 29, 2008. The runners-up were Jamila Nyanga and Eva Babuely.

Dionysia Koukiou was chosen Star Hellas 2008 on May 25, 2008, and will represent Greece at Miss Universe 2008. Angeliki Kalaitzi was chosen Miss Hellas 2008 and will represent the nation at Miss World. Evgenia Karachaliou was chosen Miss Young 2008, Nasia Anerousi was chosen Miss Tourism 2008, and Menia Mathioudaki was chosen Miss Photogenic 2008. Niki Peristeri was chosen Greek Beauty. Ria Antoniou was chosen Vice Star Hellas and will compete at Miss International 2008. Sofia Roditi was chosen Vice Miss Hellas 2008, Eleni Tskilou was chosen Vice Miss Young 2008 and Pavlina Kostagiou was chosen Vice Miss Tourism 2008.

Nicole Lambeth, of Willis, Texas, has been named Mrs. Texas American Queen 2008 and will represent the state of Texas at the 2008 Mrs. American Queen Pageant in Daytona Beach, Fla., in August 2008.

Yara Naoum, 20, of Cairo was chosen Miss Egypt Universe 2008 on May 24, 2008. She was second runner-up in the previous year's Miss Egypt Pageant.

Gawintra Pothijakra, 22, was crowned Miss Thailand Universe on May 24, 2008, in Bangkok. The first runner-up was Piyaporn Deejing, 19, who will compete at Miss Earth. The three second runners-up, in order, were Ananya Chinsaengchai, 19, Keerada Kajornmalee, 22, and Chawanthorn Wantanapisitkul, 20. One of them will compete at Miss Intercontinental.

Vera Krasova, 20, has been tapped to represent Russia at Miss Universe 2008. She was first runner-up to Russian pageant winner Ksenia Sukhinova, who will not be at Miss Universe due to her exams.

Szilvia Freire, 24, of Budapest was crowned Miss Hungary World on May 22, 2008. Jazmin Dammak, 24, of Budapest, who is half-Tunisian, was crowned Miss World 2008. Krisztina Polgar, 21, of Törökszentmiklós was crowned Miss Hungary Earth.

Carolina Dementiev, 19, was crowned Miss Panama Universe on May 21, 2008. She will represent Panama in Miss Universe 2008. The crowning was the culmination of a reality show in the "America's Next Top Model"-style. It began with 10 contestants, with individuals periodically eliminated. The finals included four contestants. The first runner-up was Karina Pinilla, and the second runner-up was Estefania Varela. The third runner-up was Ginelle Saldana.