Liguori, Cauley will represent Carson and Douglas at Miss Nevada contest

Angelina Marie Liguori was crowned Miss Carson City on Saturday, charming the judges with her poise and beauty at the 2009 Miss Douglas County and Miss Carson City pageant.

Liguori, 23, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, accepted the crown and sash from last year's Miss Carson City and the reigning Miss Nevada Julianne Erdesz. She also won a $1,000 scholarship and the chance to compete for Miss Nevada later this year.

Mackenzie Brynn Cauley, 17, a Douglas High School Student, was crowned Miss Douglas County to the cheers of the crowd at the Capital Christian Center in Carson City. She won a $1,500 scholarship and also will compete for the state crown.

First runner up in the Miss Carson part of the competition was Jaclyn Baird, 21, a student at UNR, who won a $500 scholarship. Magdalena Jesse, 18, a Carson High School student, was named Miss Congeniality.

Lindsay McKay, 17, a Douglas High School student, was first runner up for the Miss Douglas County crown, winning an $800 scholarship.

The five Douglas County and four Carson City contestants each competed in the on-stage question, swimsuit, talent and evening wear portions of the program. Each contestant also was interviewed by the judges before the public program.

Liguori was very composed during the on-stage question competition, when she was asked Miss Nevada about her platform of community involvement and mentorship, and how she would implement it.

"I recently discovered an organization called ThinkKindness.org, and their whole mission is to implement acts of kindness, random acts of kindness," Liguori answered. "They are global, and I would really like to bring them to Carson City and get involved with the local schools. They are trying to get to a million acts of kindness, so I would really like to establish and implement that in the community of Carson City."

Liguori did a Latin dance routine for the talent competition, and Baird played "Cripple Creek" on the fiddle. Cauley sang an Italian aria for her talent segment.

Erdesz sang a farewell song, showing off the talent that won her the Miss Nevada crown last year. Last year's Miss Carson Valley Christina Keegan, Miss Douglas County Ashton Sunseri and Erdesz also appeared on stage during for a farewell multimedia program about their year wearing their respective crowns.

Interspersed among the competitive segments were dance performances by Western Nevada Performing Arts.

- Contact reporter Kirk Caraway at kcaraway@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1261.