Perennial Runner-Up Finally Captures Pageant Title

BURIEN

The crown's a little different, as is the title. But the satisfaction is just as great, says LaNae Williams of Burien, the new Miss Washington USA who twice narrowly missed the Miss Washington America title.

Williams was first runner-up in the 1987 Miss Washington America contest, and first runner-up again in 1990. The second time, she lost to Lynnae Thurik, who some thought should not have been allowed to enter Washington's contest because she's a resident of Oregon who worked part-time in Washington.

Williams holds no ill will, an attitude she said surprised many.

On radio talk shows, she said, interviewers kept trying to get her to say she was angry. ``It's not my life,'' Williams said. ``I'm happy, I'm OK.''

After missing her chance to go to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant last year, Williams thought her pageant days were over. At 26, she would have been over the age limit of 27 for the next Miss America contest.

But she was invited to sign up for the Miss Washington USA pageant, which leads to the Miss USA contest and finally to the Miss Universe contest. Last Friday, she finally won her crown at the contest in Tacoma.

``When there were just two of us up there, I thought, `Am I going to be the leader of the first runner-up club?' '' Williams said yesterday.

The contest includes interviews with the judges, a swimsuit competition, an evening-gown competition and on-stage questions to winnow out the top contestants.

As Miss Washington USA, Williams won a mink coat, $1,000 and a bouquet of other prizes such as health-club memberships and free hair and beauty care. She also won the chance to compete in the Miss USA contest, scheduled Feb. 22 in Wichita, Kan. CBS will televise the competition.

As Miss Washington USA, Williams will appear at functions all over the state, something she said is both enjoyable and potentially helpful professionally.

``I enjoy doing those kinds of things, I enjoy meeting the business people. It's kind of an open door - I use it as a vehicle,'' Williams said.

``The first reaction when they see you with a crown on your head is, `Oh, brother.' But it doesn't take long for them to realize that you're a real person, that hey, you do have a vocabulary.''

Williams' official appearances will have to bend around an already busy schedule, one filled by her job as legislative aide to King County Councilman Paul Barden and her business classes at Bellevue Community College.