SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: only 2 of 51 Miss America contestants support evolution taught in schools

Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Go here for article: Miss USA Pageant Winner One of Two Contestants to Back Evolution.

By Philip Yam

I admit, the only time I even notice beauty pageants is when one of the contestants flubs a response and video of the embarrassing moment makes the YouTube rounds.

This time, though, I'm taking notice because of a cogent answer, one that could be seen as a victory for science. Tanya Somanader of Think Progress recounts in her excellent blog post an answer given by 21-year-old Alyssa Campanella, a self-described science geek who won the Miss USA competition last night.

Responding to the question of whether evolution should be taught in schools, Campanella affirmed her position on evolution and its rightful place in the classroom. She and Miss Massachusetts, Alida D’Angona, were the only two of the 51 contestants to back Darwin.

Continues, with video clips, here.