Deidre Downs
Pageant Contestant
Best known for winning the Miss America pageant title in 2005, this southerner had previously served as Miss Alabama 2004.
After briefly studying at the University of Virginia, she transferred to Samford University in Alabama.
At the conclusion of her year as Miss America, she enrolled in medical school at the University of Alabama (Birmingham).
She married teacher Andrew Gunn in 2008.
She succeeded Florida native Ericka Dunlap as Miss America.