Jump-roping Miss Hawaii wins in 3rd round of Miss America talent competition
This Jan. 12, 2012 photo provided by Miss America shows, Miss Hawaii, Lauren Cheape jumping rope and topped the contestants in the third round of the Miss America talent competition in Las Vegas, on Thur. Jan.12,2012. The finals are Saturday at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. (AP Photo Miss America)
Miss Hawaii Lauren Kealohilani Cheape
Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, left, who won the lifestyle and fitness portion of third night, and Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape, who won for talent, pose together for a photo.
Miss Hawaii Lauren Kealohilani Cheape holds her award for taking top honors in talent Thursday night.
Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan congratulates Miss Hawaii Lauren Kealohilani Cheape Thursday night.
LAS VEGAS >> A jump roping Miss Hawaii topped contestants in the third round of the Miss America talent competition in Las Vegas, while a swimsuit-clad Miss New York scored honors in the lifestyle and fitness category.
Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape won a $2,000 scholarship for her routine to "Hawaii Five-O" at Thursday night’s preliminary. The talent portion is 35 percent of a contestant’s score.
Miss New York Kaitlin Monte earned a $1,000 scholarship after appearing in a Monte Carlo Komplique swimsuit. The fitness category is 15 percent of a contestant’s score.
The two join Miss Wisconsin and Miss Oklahoma, who won for talent in preliminaries earlier this week. Miss Utah and Miss Texas won swimsuit in rounds one and two.
The finals are Saturday at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Cheape also was a finalist in the "Quality of Life" award, for her platform, "C.A.R.E.: Collegiate Athletes Reaching Everyone."
