Jayhawk senior takes first runner-up in Miss USA competition

Chancellor Robert Hemenway introduces Miss Kansas 2002, Lindsay Douglas, to the opening-night audience for Rock Chalk Revue.

When the field was narrowed to just two contestants at the Miss USA pageant, KU senior Lindsay Douglas unexpectedly found herself standing at center stage.

It has been 36 years since KU student Debbie Bryant was crowned Miss America. For a moment, Douglas, a communications studies major from Chesterfield, Mo., might become the second Jayhawk to win a national pageant title.

Although the Miss USA tiara eluded Douglas - the crown went to Miss District of Columbia Shauntay Hinton - the KU senior was named first runner-up.

Just days after the March 1 finale in Gary, Ind., Douglas remained in awe of how well she did in the nationally televised competition.

"I made so many friends and met so many people," said the 23-year-old Douglas. "I felt like I accomplished all that I could. And I was so happy for Shauntay. It was just an awesome experience."

While she represented the entire state at the pageant, Douglas took along some Jayhawk pride with her to Gary. At a charity auction in which each of the 51 Miss USA contestants brought an item to auction off, Douglas' autographed KU basketball was a hit with the crowd. The ball netted $390, fetching the second highest bid of the evening. Only Miss Iowa's antique shoes garnered more cash.

Douglas, who won the Miss Kansas title in October, took off the spring semester at KU to prepare for the competition.

She will continue as Miss Kansas until September, carrying out her duties, helping charitable causes, visiting schools and hospitals, and raising awareness of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

And she plans to finish her KU degree and get a master's in education - unless fate intervenes. Should the new Miss USA win the Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico on May 29, Douglas would assume the Miss USA title and crown.

FACTOID:
What other Jayhawks have been Miss Kansas?

Debbie Bryant Berge, Miss Kansas 1966, Miss America 1966. Earned bachelor's degree in 1969.
Lori Minnix Kemmet, Miss Kansas (America) 1993. Earned master's of arts degree in Spanish in 1993.
Jennifer Vannatta, Miss Kansas (America) 1998. Earned bachelor's degree in journalism in 1996.
Deborah Daulton, Miss Kansas (USA), 1995. Attended school of education.

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