Brooke Werner, a senior Public Relations major at Champlain College, was recently named Miss Vermont USA for 2009. Unlike the Miss America pageant, the Miss USA competition does not feature a talent round. Instead, the women are judged based on evening gown and bathing suit modeling, as well as on an interview.

Incidentally, Miss Vermont has won the "Congeniality" award five times in the Miss USA pageant, three more times than any other state. Congeniality is evaluated on terms of how friendly the contestant is and how enjoyable she makes the competition for everyone else.

In other news, I was recently awarded the "Mr. Monroe Street Award," in which my cat Vonnegut placed second. He withdrew from the bathing suit competition, as he was distracted by a shoelace and could not be convinced to put on the suit. I thank all who voted for me (which is me).

Also, congratulations on winning, Brooke!