If the crown fits

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. - The crown being a perfect fit could have been the indication that Christina Keegan was meant to be Miss Nevada for 2009.

"Sometimes when you're crowned, it takes more than one try to get it to stay on, but when Julianna crowned me, it fit perfectly," she said. "The crown feels wonderful."

Keegan was crowned by 2008 Miss Nevada Julianna Erdesz at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno on Saturday. The Gardnerville resident and 2004 graduate of Douglas High School was competing as Miss Northern Counties.

After competing for six years within the Miss America organization, this was her last year of eligibility. Keegan is 23 and reigning Miss Americas may not be 25 years old. She was runner-up in the 2008 Miss Nevada contest as Miss Carson Valley.

"It was my last chance to dance and put it all out there," she said. "I went into this last competition as wanting to come away with a positive memory of the experience, but I was fortunate that I came away with that and a title."

Her talent was ballet en pointe to "August Rhapsody" from the movie "August Rush."

Keegan graduated from the Undergraduate Women's College at Rosemont, Pa., with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 2008 and just completed her first year of medical school at the University of Utah. She will have to take a year off school to fulfill her duties as Miss Nevada and compete in the Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas in January 2010.

After attending schools in Pennsylvania and Utah, she intends to come back to Nevada.

"I love Nevada, and want to eventually raise a family here, but I wanted to get experience and travel a lot," Keegan said. "I hope to come back to Nevada to serve as a doctor. I'm considering a pediatric specialty but I'll see in my fourth year when you have to choose a field."

She won almost $10,000 in scholarships, including a $5,000 Miss Nevada scholarship, a $1,000 Miss America Scholar Award, $250 from her local pageant and $3,000 for just going to the Miss America Pageant. She said she made about $20,000 in scholarships over her six years of competition.

Keegan said young women don't have to have a lot of money to compete in the Miss American organization.

"You can make it expensive, but I did it economically," she said. "For many years I wore the same dress. I had fundraisers and sponsors in Nevada for my wardrobe and other expenses, and a dance teacher volunteered to help choreograph my dance.

"Miss America is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization. It's all about giving money, not taking money. Contestants can use their prom dresses, get a swimsuit and go for an interview. It's not about shelling out a lot of money."

The Miss America organization is not affiliated with the Miss U.S.A. or Miss Universe pageants.

According to the Miss America Web site, the organization is the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women. Last year $45 million in scholarships was made available. The first Miss America contest was in Atlantic City, N.J., in 1921.

"I want to continue the tradition," said Keegan. "I always admired the organization from within the system because they provide scholarship opportunities to young women."

Keegan's personal platform of Strength over Silence rape education and recovery comes as a result of being raped while studying in Spain four years ago.

"I was experiencing the effects of being a victim and recognized that I needed help and sought resources," she said.

After discovering the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, Keegan said she turned things around.

"After working with RAINN, I wanted to know how I can help and give back. I want to help bring forth better understanding and find out what this crime is about, and hope to help prevent rape in the future."

Keegan is only the second girl from Douglas County to represent Nevada in the Miss America contest. Malia Winn from Minden was Miss Nevada in 1991.

Keegan received a call Wednesday from the current Miss America, Katie Stam from Indiana.

"She called to offer assistance and congratulations," Keegan said. "She's the first Miss America from her state, so that's encouraging to me to become the first Miss America from Nevada."

Details:

Follow Christine Keegan's progress at www.MissNevadaPageant.com