Miss Okla. 1st runner up in Miss America

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson, of Davenport was named first runner up in the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.

A 23-year-old beauty queen from Kenosha, Wis., won the title.

Laura Kaeppeler  won the pageant Saturday night after strutting in a white bikini and black beaded evening gown, singing opera and answering a question about whether beauty queens should declare their politics by saying Miss America represents everyone.

Kaeppeler wins a $50,000 scholarship and gets the title for one year.

Thompson came in second while Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.

Thompson will assume the duties of Miss America if the winner can not fulfill her responsibilities.