来自田纳西州的21岁女孩蕾切尔·史密斯在2007年美国小姐选拔赛中封后。史密斯毕业于贝尔蒙大学新闻系，参选“美国小姐”以前，她曾在美国著名的“奥普拉·温弗里秀”电视节目组实习，是一名“新闻小姐”。图为去年“美国小姐”得主塔拉·康纳轻轻把王冠戴在了史密斯的棕色长发上。

Rachel Renee Smith, Miss Tennessee USA 2007, is crowned by Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner after winning the Miss USA 2007 pageant on Friday, March 23, 2007, in Los Angeles.[AP]

Rachel Smith, ajournalism graduatefrom Tennessee, was crowned Miss USA on Friday,edging out50 other aspiring beauty queens in a contest to replace a titleholder whose reign was nearly marred by a scandal.

Smith, 21, of Clarksville, Tenn., graduated from Belmont University andinternedlast year for the production company behind "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia were vying to succeed Miss USA Tara Conner, who entered rehab after accounts surfaced suggesting she wasboozingat New York clubs. The episode might have cost the Kentucky native her crown, but Donald Trump, who co-owns the pageant with NBC, gave her a second chance.

The telecast didn't shy away from the controversy, opening with a string of news and interview clips about Conner's woes. Then, the 21-year-old blonde emerged wearing a strapless, ruffled gown, and appeared on stage.

"It has been the most unforgettable year of my life and I'm back, and better than ever," Conner said to wild applause from the audience at the Kodak Theater.

Smith edged out top finalists Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; Helen Salas of Nevada; and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island.

（Agency） 

Vocabulary:    

journalism graduate:  新闻系毕业生

edge out:以微弱优势超过或胜过，如：The downhill racer edged her opponent out on the middle stretch.（下坡滑雪赛的选手将她的对手慢慢挤出中央跑道。）

intern:实习

booze:寻欢作乐，酗日无度，泡吧

（英语点津陈蓓编辑）