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2004 Miss America Ericka Dunlap Sep. 20, 2003 Story by: Gina Jones, Chris Wilshire, The Press of Atlantic City.com, & other fanS Click here for pictures of the event!
The Miss America 2004 pageant was held on September 20th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Preliminary competition began on September 16th and continues on the 17th and 18th. Providing that Hurricane Isabel doesn't slam into Atlantic City, the parade was scheduled for Friday, September 19th. If it's been stressful for contestants, this year has brought its share of headaches to pageant organizers.
This year's panel of judges includes Greta Van Susteren, host of the Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren"; Jon Spoelstra, president of Mandalay Sports Entertainment; Miss America 1994 Kimberly Aiken Cockerham; Fletcher Foster, senior vice president marketing, Capital Records/Nashville; Donald Welch, entertainer; Rebecca Stafford, former president of Monmouth University; and Camille Lavington, marketing consultant. Final Night Results
MC for the evening was Hollywood Squares host Tom Bergeron. Also helping in the anchor booth were Lynda Lopez of "E! Entertainment News" and Alex Cambert, formerly of "Good Morning America." After all the introductions, American Idol runner up Clay Aiken sang "This Is The Night." It was announced that each delegate would receive a $5000 scholarship for their participation in the Miss America finals. A very basic stage design was used with alternating hues of blues, pink, orange and lilac.
Nineteen former Miss America's were presented and introduced. They were: Patricia Donnelly ('39); Bebe Shopp (;48); Evelyn Ay ('54); Lee Meriwether ('55); Maria Fletcher ('62); Jacquelyn Mayer ('63); Donna Axum ('64); Shirley Cothran ('75); Kylene Barker ('79); Susan Powell ('81); Sharlene Wells ('85); Kelley Cash ('87); Kay Lani Rae Rafko ('88); Debbye Turner ('90); Kimberly Aiken ('94); Shawntel Smith ('96); Kate Shindle ('98); Heather French ('00); and Katie Harman ('02). They welcomed Miss America 2003 Erika Harold into their exclusive sisterhood.
The final cut to the top five was then announced. Remaining on stage were Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap. Miss California Nicole Lamarche, Miss Maryland Marina Harrison, Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer, and Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson. Each girl was then asked a non-scored question in order to get to know them better.
For the final announcement all the delegates returned to the stage in beautiful white gowns. The moment had come for Miss America 2003 Erika Harold to crown her successor.
The first runner up and winner of a $40,000 scholarship as Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson. The new Miss America 2004 is Ericka Dunlap, Miss Florida. "Her first words were basically hyperventilating," Miss America Pageant host Tom Bergeron joked as the newly crowned winner repeated the words, "Oh my God," again and again. She also stated that she was "going to Disney World!!" Special Awards: Photos by: AP Photo/Daniel Hulshizer, Brian Branch-Price, and Thomas P. Costello; REUTERS/Tim Shaffer and Susan L. Gregg, and the Miss America OrganizationFor Preliminary Result information, please see the event gallery More information about Ericka Dunlap
Ericka, 21, of Orlando, Florida is the youngest of five children. She has one brother and three older sisters. Her parents are James and Frannie. Ericka is a student at the University of Central Florida and hopes to one day practice law in the sports and entertainment field. Her platform is "Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Inclusiveness." Ericka began her path to Miss America this year by winning the Miss City Beautiful preliminary in Florida. Ericka will be up early Sunday morning for the traditional romp on the beach in Atlantic City. Then on Monday she will again be up early to prepare for a morning interview on NBC's Today Show. With minutes to spare, she will rush to appear on ABC's LIVE with Regis & Kelly.
Following the news conference, Ericka will complete another Miss America tradition, taking her place in David Letterman's guest chair for Monday's Late Show. From the CBS Ed Sullivan Theatre she will move to Rockefeller Center for an appearance on Last Call with Carson Daly at the NBC Studios. She will also be appearing on Fox News Channel's highly rated prime time news and interview program, On The Record with Greta Van Susteren. Tuesday begins early, too, as Ericka appears on the CBS Early Show. Then she will complete a series of radio interviews for the Envision Radio Network before taking lunch at Planet Hollywood, where she will donate a pair of Miss America shoes. TO ADD OR UPDATE CONTENT TO TFTJ, use the Submission Forms.
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Waves stirred up by the approaching Hurricane Irene roiled the ocean outside Boardwalk Hall. Pageant officials have been monitoring the storm all week, formulating emergency plans and trying to decide whether or not to cancel this year's annual Boardwalk parade. The storm is expected to pass through Thursday night, leaving enough time for the traditional Friday parade. Pageant officials have said they expect the show to go on.
The opening segment of the pageant showed this year's delegates arriving on the red carpet to the Boardwalk Hall. They were all dress in black and sported black banners with the state name on them. Nice touch to enable the viewer to see "their girl." The girls all then introduced themselves in state order.
The top fifteen delegates were announced in random order. They were Miss Missouri Amber Ethridge, 22; Miss Michigan Madonna Emond, 22; Miss Virginia Nancy Redd, 21; Miss Indiana Bryn Chapman, 21; Miss Maryland Marina Harrison, 22; Miss Rhode Island Laurie Beth Gray, 22; Miss California Nicole Lamarche, 24; Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap, 21; Miss Alabama Catherine Crosby, 23; Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson, 22; Miss New Hampshire Candace Glickman, 20; Miss Georgia Andrea Bailey, 24; Miss Oklahoma Kelley Scott, 22; Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer, 22; and Miss New Jersey Jennifer Farrell, 19.
The first competition of the evening was for all of the top fifteen. They came out individually and modeled an outfit that they would choose to wear out, to school, or casually. Outfits included knee high boots, jeans, barets, tank tops, blouses, one dress, and sparkled boustier with matching pants. The winner of the casual wear competition was Miss Maryland Marina Harrison.
The field was then narrowed down to the top ten semifinalists. Leaving the stage were Missouri, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia and New Jersey. A production number was staged with all the delegates in their competition swimsuits and a matching wrap.
The remaining semifinalists modeled their swimsuits. Miss Oklahoma had a 2 piece light blue with colored striped top; Miss Wisconsin wore a 2 piece red suit with a rhinestone circle pin on the top; Miss Florida wore a light blue two piece that joined at the left hip. It also was a one shoulder fit. Miss Hawaii wore a red 2 piece; Miss New Hampshire wore a one piece eggplant suit; Miss California wore a white 2 piece; while Miss Rhode Island wore a 2 piece fuschia suit. Miss Indiana wore a 2 piece simple black suit; Miss Virginia wore a 2 piece yellow suit with a gold chain belt hanging from the hips; and Miss Maryland wore a 2 piece tiger print. The winner of the swimsuit competition was Miss California Nicole Lamarche.
After swimwear, the ten semifinalists returned with the beautiful evening wear competition. Each lady was escorted by the person of their choice. Miss Oklahoma wore a pink boustier gown and was escorted by her father Steve; Miss Wisconsin wore a magenta halter gown and was escorted by her mother Okie; Miss Florida wore a yellow boustier gown and was escorted by her brother Mickel; Miss Hawaii wore a black one shoulder gown trimmed in black and green beads. She was escorted by her mother Avon. Miss New Hampshire wore a black dress with one lace sleve and a rhinestone hip belt. She was escorted by her father Ron.
Miss California wore a black gown with a beaded top and was escorted by her father Roland. Miss Rhode Island wore a red all beaded sheath and was escorted by her father Donald. Miss Indiana wore a chocolate brown long sleeved gown with a deep V back and fur cuffs. She was escorted by her mother Henna. Miss Virginia wore a red irridescent full skirted gown and was escorted by her brother Sammy. Finally Miss Maryland wore a black lace boustier top over a white full skirt with a full train. She was escorted by her father Army Lt. Col. (Ret) Willie Harrison. The Evening gown winner was Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap.
Talent was the next competition. Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap sang "If I Could"; Miss California Nicole Lamarche sang "At This Moment"; Miss Maryland Marina Harrison sang "Fallin'"; Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer played "The Swan" on her cello; and Miss Hawaii Kanoelani Gibson sang "Natural Woman." Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap won the talent portion of the competition.
Each of the five finalists were asked a question on her platform. All five were then given the eight question "Miss America Quiz." Miss Wisconsin had three answers, Miss Florida had four answers, Miss Maryland had five answers, and Miss California and Miss Hawaii both had six answers.
The fourth runner up and winner of a $20,000 scholarship was Miss California Nicole Lamarche. The third runner up and winner of a $25,000 scholarship was Miss Maryland Marina Harrison. The second runner up and winner of a $30,000 scholarship was Miss Wisconsin Tina Sauerhammer. That left Miss Hawaii and Miss Florida as the last two standing.
Telephone interviews will be scheduled as needed. Then Ericka will hold her first press conference outside of Atlantic City at Hotel InterContinental, The Barclay.
