Miss Indiana not in America's top 10

Perfectly poised and positioned on stage, Miss Indiana Betsy Uschkrat, an IU graduate student, stood in a sea of 52 of the country's most accomplished young women during the 76th Miss America Pageant Monday night. \nHer attempt for the crown ended, however, when she was not made part of the pageant's top 10 contenders at the start of Monday night's broadcast. Miss Oklahoma Lauren Nelson was crowned Miss America 2007.\nUschkrat, who won the title of Miss Indiana University last February, took home the Miss Indiana title in June -- an experience she described to a crowd of well wishers at her send-off as "a dream come true."\nAfter months of rigorous training and preparation, the native Texan left Bloomington for the bright lights of Las Vegas to compete against other state title holders for the Miss America crown. \nFalling out of the running as the top 10 was announced, Uschkrat held her smile the whole way through. \nAnd her fans held their support.\n"She is incredibly kind and a beautiful person inside and out," said Stephanie Sadownik, a 2006 IU graduate, who participated in an opera chorus with Uschkrat. "I don't know anyone who doesn't like Betsy. I was certainly disappointed she didn't get further, and, of course, I was hoping she'd do well. She's got enormous talent, and she's gorgeous. God, I should hate her, but, of course, I don't."\nSophomore Korey Gonzalez was watching the pageant with friends to cheer Uschkrat on, and said that she was definitely upset she didn't advance further.\n"I was in (the opera) Manon with her, and I just love her," Gonzales said. "So does everyone. She's the most talented vocalist I've ever known." \nUschkrat has held numerous parts in IU Opera Theater productions, her most recent being in 2007's production of Manon. \nShe carried her love of opera to the pageant for the talent portion. \n"I think she's a wonderful girl. I wish she could have gone further," said IU alumnus Andrew Darling. "I think she's made IU and the Jacobs School of Music very proud." \nLindsay Shipps Etienne, the executive director of the Miss Indiana University Pageant, accompanied Uschkrat to Las Vegas and spoke briefly with her after the pageant ended. \n"She was in very good spirits and just honored to be there," she said. "There is no way she could have performed better. The competition was very, very strong and she was very pleased with the outcome."\nUschkrat will return to Indiana today and will continue her duties as Miss Indiana. \nBut to some, she is still more.\n"She's my Miss America," Gonzalez said.