Miss America Ties to Eastern Kentucky

	Heather Renee French, left, Miss Kentucky, was crowned Miss America 2000. French, a native of Maysville, KY, was the first contestant from the Bluegrass State to win the pageant.
	Susan Perkins, right, Miss America 1978, has ties to East Kentucky. Her parents lived on Cedar Street in Hazard in the early 1950s. They moved to Ohio just a few months before Susan was born. At one time Susan's father, Paul, was employed by Armco Steel. The Perkins family settled in Middletown. Susan attended Ohio State and was named Miss Ohio.
	Miss Florida, Leanza Cornett, left, was named Miss America 1993. Leanza was raised in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and has relatives in Hazard, KY. Her paternal grandmother, Mabel Cornett, said she believed it was her granddaughter's faith in her God that helped her win.

We welcome additional facts from Susan Perkins, Leanza Cornett, or Heather Renee French or their friends and families. Submit your comments below.