PEARLS OF WISDOM

The crown Mikimoto created in 2002 for Miss Universe has 500 diamonds, totaling nearly 30 carats, and 120 pearls. The intricate design depicts the ancient symbol of the phoenix rising, which signifies status, power and the vision of great beauty.

In 1957, Mikimoto created the crown for the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen of Washington, DC's National Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual event celebrating Japanese-American friendship that dates back to 1912. The crown is still being used and will be handed over to a new queen on April 11, 2008.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE LANDS ON NEW MEXICO

The 2009 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen is Tatianna Duran of New Mexico. She won the title at last night's National Conference of State Societies Grand Ball. For the first time since the tradition began in 1948, the wheel of fortune stopped on the Land of Enchantment. Tatiana, a sophomore at George Washington University in the District of Columbia, is not a pageant girl. But when she was given the opportunity to represent the state of New Mexico in this year's Cherry Blossom Festival, she jumped at the chance. "I've never done a pageant," Duran said, adding that she was offered the position by the office of Sen. Jeff Bingaman, where she works. "But I was asked to represent my state and that's important."

Sources: National Conference of State Societies; The GW Hatchet

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

On Friday, in the District of Columbia, the National Cherry Blossom Festival elects the 2009 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. The winner is determined by a spin of a wheel listing all the U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and territories and commonwealths. Miss Universe may have dumped the Mikimoto crown, but the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen will continue to wear Mikimoto (as they have since 1957).

1961's Queen, Betsy Howard of Kentucky

In 1993, the wheel of forture stopped on Guam, Tanya Manibusan

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Maine Cherry Blossom Princess Emily B. Little was selected 2008 U.S. Cherry Blossm Queen by the Wheel of Fortune last night at the Cherry Blossom Grand Ball in Washington, DC.

She will represent the USA on a trip to Japan in May at the invitation of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association. She currently attends the University of Maine, where she studies Nursing and Spanish. First runner-up, also selected by the Wheel, was New Mexico Cherry Blossom Princess Elinor Rushforth.

There is no judging involved in the selection of the United States Cheery Blossom Queen. Whatever state the Wheel lands on is the winner. The Wheel was first spun in 1948, and this year is the 60th anniversary of Wheel. This year's Queen is the fourth winner from Maine. The Wheel previously landed on Maine in 1955, 1958, and 1990. (Source: NCSS)

In 1951, the Wheel of Fortune landed on Wyoming (Maldi Tarris)