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Miss USA 2014 Coverage
by Rick Soto

(BATON ROUGE-060814) Fifty-one state titleholders arrived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for Miss USA 2014 pageant.

The following are highlights:

Monday, March 26, 2014
Miss USA 2014 contestants try on Chinese Laundry Shoes, while wearing Sherri Hill fashion, Kandice Pelletier Swimwear, and up2date Fashion robes during registration, fittings, as well as, CHI hair & Make-up Designory.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Miss USA 2014 contestants have a Kandice Pelletier Swimwear photoshoot by Fadil Berisha.


Nia Sanchez, Miss Nevada USA
(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Wednesday, May 28, 2014
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants have afternoon tea at the Louisiana Governor's Mansion.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants take photos during pre-taping at L'Auberge Casino Hoten Baton Rouge.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit the Mississippi Queen Riverboat in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.


Nia Sanchez, Miss Nevada USA
(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Thursday, May 29, 2014
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants are introduced during Welcome Event & Reception at the Capitol Park Museum.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit the Nottoway Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit the George Rodrigue Blue Dog Exhibit at the Louisiana State Archives.


Christina Palavra, Miss Rhode Island USA
(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Friday, May 30, 2014
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants partake in a cooking demo at the Louisiana Culinary Institute.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants karaoke at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants attend a rooftop pool private party at L'Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge.


Candace Kendall, Miss New York USA
Audra Mari, Miss North Dakota USA
(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Saturday, May 31, 2014
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit Women's Hospital.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants enjoy the OPTX Rhode Island Pool Party at L'Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit the Houmas House in Houmas, Louisiana.
:: Miss USA 2014 contestants visit Nottoway Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.


Kristy Landers Niedenfuer, Miss Tennessee USA
(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Sunday, June 08, 2014
Top 20 quarterfinalists were announced:

Alabama: Jesica Warren Ahlberg
Arizona: Jordan Alyssa Wessel
California: Cassandra Kunze
Florida: Brittany Oldehoff
Georgia: Tiana Griggs
Indiana: Mekayla Diehl
Iowa: Carlyn Bradarich
Louisiana: Brittany Alyson Guidry
Maryland: Taylor Burton
Minnesota: Haley O'Brien
Nebraska: Amanda Marie Soltero
Nevada: Nia Sanchez
New Jersey: Emily Shah
North Dakota: Audra Mari
Oklahoma: Brooklynne Young
Pennsylvania: Valerie Gatto
South Carolina: Christina Isabelle Zapolski
Tennessee: Kristy Landers Niedenfuer
Virginia: Arielle Saige Rosmarino
Wisconsin: Bishara Dorre

The top 10 were announced:

California: Cassandra Kunze
Florida: Brittany Oldehoff
Georgia: Tiana Griggs
Iowa: Carlyn Bradarich
Louisiana: Brittany Alyson Guidry
Maryland: Taylor Burton
Nevada: Nia Sanchez
North Dakota: Audra Mari
South Carolina: Christina Isabelle Zapolski
Wisconsin: Bishara Dorre

Miss Photogenic: Cassandra Kunze, Miss California USA 2014
Miss Congenialty: Christina Palavra, Miss Rhode Island USA 2014

The evening gowns revealed a variety of styles, and colors from the top 10.

The top 6 announced:

Florida: Brittany Oldehoff
Georgia: Tiana Griggs
Iowa: Carlyn Bradarich
Louisiana: Brittany Alyson Guidry
Nevada: Nia Sanchez
North Dakota: Audra Mari

The interview portion asked the following questions:

Q: NY Times regarding narcissism is an epidemic suggesting America's youth is turning into a hyper-entitled self-absorbed generation. Do you agree? Why, or why not?
A, Miss Iowa: I do agree. I think social media and technology has allowed youth to post photos and videos of themselves resembling narcissistic.

Q: It's challenging getting a job with a degree or not. Do you think college is relevant today?
A, Miss North Dakota: I do think college is relevant today. I know my parents are successful without a college degree. However, I think it's extremely important to get your education after high school.

Q: What exactly sets you apart from the other finalists that will make you the best choice for Miss USA?
A, Miss Florida: I think I am bringing something new. My father passed away from an [illness] and I'd like to bring that forward, raise money and awareness.

Q: Time Magazine recently reports 19 percent of undergraduate college women are victims of sexual assault in college. Why has this epidemic been swept under the rug for so long, and what can colleges do to combat this?
A, Miss Nevada: I think colleges worry about their reputation and don't want it to come out. I think more awareness is very important so women can protect themselves. For myself as a fourth-degree black belt, I learned to be confident at an early age, and be able to defend yourself--I think that is really something we should implement in a lot of women.

Q: Recently the United States has released 5 detainees from Guantanamo in exchange for 1 U.S. soldier held captive in Afghanistan. U.S. policy is to leave no soldier behind. Do you think it's fair to sacrifice or swap lives in order to uphold this policy?
A, Miss Louisiana: I am glad we got our guy back. However, I do not think we should submit ourselves to terrorism.

Q: You have 30 seconds to say anything to political leaders--what would you say?
A, Miss Georgia: I would say, we should lead our country by faith. When I go to bed at night, I pray for my family, and leaders of this country. I think if we pull together--work together, we make more of a difference than setting us apart.

The winner of 2014 Miss USA as announced:

5th runner-up: Carlyn Bradarich, Miss Iowa USA 2014
4th runner-up: Brittany Oldehoff, Miss Florida USA 2014
3rd runner-up: Brittany Alyson Guidry, Miss Louisiana USA 2014
2nd runner-up: Tiana Griggs, Miss Georgia USA 2014
1st runner-up: Audra Mari, Miss North Dakota USA 2014

2014 Miss USA: Miss Nevada USA, Nia Sanchez

(photo: Miss Universe Organization)

Photos: Red Carpet at 2011 Miss USA