PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- August 15, 2006 -- This evening, during one of the year’s most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Katie Blair, Miss Montana Teen USA, as MISS TEEN USA® 2006.

MTV VJ/Host of "TRL" Damien Fahey co-hosted with "Access Hollywood"’s Shaun Robinson live from the Palm Springs Convention Center. Former “O-Town” member Ashley Parker Angel, pop star JoJo and Lucas Grabeel of the hit Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical" all performed during the live telecast.
The celebrity judging panel for Miss Teen USA 2006 included: "Princes of Malibu" star Brody Jenner, Chelsi Smith, Miss Universe 1995, "Days of Our Lives" star Darin Brooks, President and Founder of YMI Jeans David Vered, Nickelodeon star of "Drake & Josh", Drake Bell, Melissa Rivers, Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis, "Heroes"’ star Hayden Panettiere, "Deal or No Deal"’s Anya Monzikova, and Teen Cosmo’s Editor-in- Chief Susan Schultz.
Throughout the live television event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, and the “Top Five” finalists were selected. Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005, crowned her successor at the conclusion of this two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Melissa Lingafelt, Miss North Carolina Teen USA who
will assume the duties of Miss Teen USA 2006 if for some reason Katie Blair cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Katie Marie Cooper, Miss North Dakota Teen USA

Third Runner Up: Samantha Casey, Miss Virginia Teen USA

Fourth Runner Up: Brittany Sharp, Miss Georgia Teen USA

Rest of Top Ten: Shaelyn McNally, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA
Juliana White, Miss New Jersey Teen USA
Gentry Linn Miller, Miss Kansas Teen USA
Jamie O’Brien, Miss Maryland Teen USA
Emerald Zellers, Miss Arizona Teen USA

Rest of Top Fifteen: Morgan Woolard, Miss Oklahoma Teen USA
Raquel McClendon, Miss Michigan Teen USA
Danielle Zuroski, Miss Nebraska Teen USA
Brittany Smith, Miss South Carolina Teen USA
Jennifer Lynn Wooten, Miss Florida Teen USA

Miss Photogenic Award: Melissa Lingafelt, Miss North Carolina Teen USA. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

Congeniality Award: Blair Griffith, Miss Colorado Teen USA. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

Sponsors of MISS TEEN USA ® 2006 include: Mikimoto, “Official Jewelry” sponsor; BSC Swimwear Thailand, “Official Swimwear” sponsor; The School for Film and Television; Tadashi Fashions, “Official Fashion” sponsor; American Airlines; Nina, “Official Fashion Footwear” sponsor, YMI Jeanswear, “Official Jeans Sponsor” sponsor; and Farouk Systems, “Official Haircare” sponsor.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations committed to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Do Something, Sparrow Clubs, D.A.R.E. and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).