street painting

street painting
sunset painting

Jennifer Hawkins, a 5-foot-11 blonde with blue eyes, was chosen from among 80 beauty queens. Miss USA Shandi Finnessey of Florissant, Mo, was named first runner-up.Hawkins and Finnessey hugged before the winner was announced. Hawkins then received the crown from outgoing Miss Universe Amelia Vega, and walked to the cheers of the crowd.Besides her modeling and dancing pursuits, she also organizes a dance team that tours Australia. Her interests include surfing, camping and watching ballet.Before the pageant began, singer Gloria Estefan defended the contest from critics who consider such events frivolous. "A beautiful woman has very great powers to convince, and we have seen many misses who have done a great job," said the Cuban-American singer, who performed at the Miss Universe finals "The new Miss Universe should do a spectacular job helping the needy."Ecuadorians were hoping the two-hour show would showcase the beauty of their country and attract tourists to this small Andean nation."Ecuador is going to shine for what it is, an unforgettable place, when you see the videos we have made for the show," said Daisy Fuentes, one host of he program.