Miss California Alyssa Campanella, a 21-year-old model from Los Angeles, is the new Miss USA 2011. Campanella replaces Rima Fakih of Michigan.

"Right now, I'm still kind of like — whoa," Campanella said of last night’s win in Las Vegas.

Miss Tennessee Ashley Durham was the first runner-up, while Miss Alabama and Miss Texas placed third and fourth.

A self-described “huge science geek,” Alyssa was only one of two contestants with an unabashed belief in evolution, saying it should definitely be taught in schools (see preliminary interview videos in previous posts). The auburn-haired beauty also supports medical marijuana.

"Well, I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today's economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically," she said during the pageant.

"I'm not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war," she said. "I mean, it's abused today, unfortunately, so that's the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it's OK."

Originally from Manalapan, N.J., Campanella began competing in pageants at age 15 and modeling at age 16. According to the her website, Alyssa graduated from high school a year early and received a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

Campanella will represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Brazil this September.

Tags: miss usa, miss usa 2011, miss california usa, alyssa campanella
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