Wisconsin Wins Miss America 2012

Laura Kaeppeler wins the national pageant in Las Vegas and 50k scholarship

A 23-year-old beauty queen from Kenosha, Wis., has won the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.

Laura Kaeppeler (KEP'-ler) won the pageant Saturday night after strutting in a white bikini and black beaded evening gown, singing opera and answering a question about whether beauty queens should declare their politics by saying Miss America represents everyone.

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson came in second while Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.

Kaeppeler wins a $50,000 scholarship and gets the title for one year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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