The new Miss Iowa is still trying to grasp the events of the past sevendays.Jennifer Caudle was crowned Miss Iowa last Saturday. The next day, she flewto New Jersey where she graduated from Princeton University. Now, aftermoving back to her native Davenport, the 21-year-old can’t believe allthat’s happened. Caudle is a cello player and set up a Quad City program toput musical instruments in the hands of poor children. She got the urge tolaunch “The Primary Project” after performing at an elementary school.The program has already collected 15 instruments and a thousand dollars.The Miss America Pageant is in September in Atlantic City. Only one otherblack woman has ever represented the Hawkeye State in the competition.Caudle says she’s proud to be wearing the “Miss Iowa” sash.The first black Miss Iowa was crowned in 1970. Cheryl Brown was also thefirst black woman to represent ANY state in the pageant.
