By Alabama Public Radio
Atlantic City, NJ – Miss Alabama outlasted 51 other women Saturday night to win the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 24-year-old Deidre Downs is the third Miss Alabama to become Miss America. Downs says she passed up medical school to compete for the title. The Birmingham resident is a Rhodes Scholar finalist and has been accepted to the University of Alabama medical school. She delayed her entry after winning the Miss America title but says she still plans to become a pediatrician. Downs sang "I'm Afraid This Must Be Love" for the talent portion of the contest.