MUSKEGON, MI – When they announced the first-runner up to the 2012 Miss Michigan Pageant, Angela Venditti's jaw dropped.

The announcement could only mean one thing for the 24-year-old from Shelby Township – she was the new Miss Michigan.

Venditti, who competed as Miss St. Clair Shores, beat out 30 other contestants for the title and the tiara on June 16 during the final night of competition at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts in Muskegon.

Miss Michigan Finals Night 2012 60 Gallery: Miss Michigan Finals Night 2012

She also won a $10,000 scholarship, a chance to compete in next year's Miss America pageant and the opportunity to bring her platform, "Above the Influence: Keeping Kids Drug Free," to a wider audience.

Venditti will also be able to drive a new Chevrolet Volt each month, provided by 12 different Michigan car dealers through a new sponsorship this year, according to an announcement made on stage during the competition.

Talent - Miss Michigan Finals 33 Gallery: Talent - Miss Michigan Finals

Award, a $250 scholarship.

The crowd roared as the night's emcee, former Miss Michigan Ashlee Baracy, announced Venditti's win.

Backstage after the curtains were drawn, Venditti was drawn into a whirlwind of congratulations and hugs from the other contestants."Oh my god," Venditti exclaimed, shocked by her win.

"I'm so excited," she said about her win. "I'm in shock."

Swim - Miss Michigan Finals 28 Gallery: Swim - Miss Michigan Finals

She had hoped she would win, but the announcement was still "a pleasant surprise."

Venditti's father, Paul, seemed ecstatic at the news.

"She is the epitome of Miss Michigan. She will be a fantastic representative for this state and she is a wonderful person," he said. "I am so happy for her."

To win the crown, Venditti competed in five categories: personal interview, swimsuit, evening gown, talent and on-stage question.

Miss Michigan contestants are judged

Evening Gowns - Miss Michigan Finals 30 Gallery: Evening Gowns - Miss Michigan Finals

individually, and are awarded points on a scale of one to ten in each category, according to the Miss Michigan Organization.

Venditti modeled a yellow bikini, which won her the preliminary swimsuit award on Friday night. For her talent, she performed a tap dance to Queen Latifah's cover of "I'm Gonna Live 'Til I Die" by Frank Sinatra in a white dress.

Venditti described the first thing she wanted to do as Miss Michigan.

"I want to eat some McDonald's first," she said, with a giggle.

• First Runner-Up: Miss Wayne County Shelby Gardiner, 19, from St. Clair Shores, who won a $5,000 scholarshipRounding out the top five were:

• Second Runner-Up: Miss Oakland County Kelly Oles, 24, from Oxford, who won a $4,000 scholarship

• Third Runner-Up: Miss Spirit of the State Sarah Suydam, 22, from St. Clair Shores, who won a $3,000 scholarship

• Fourth Runner-Up: Miss Grand Valley State University Alexa Allor, 20, from Monroe, who won a $2,000 scholarship

The other five semi-finalists were: Miss Washtenaw County Lauren Brown, Miss Pride of the Peninsulas Abby Grimmett, Miss Jackson County Maegan Budd, Miss Stateline Cassandra Kramer, and Miss South Central Elyse Losen. All five won a $1,000 scholarship.

For a complete list of winners, visit www.missmichigan.org.



You can email Lisha Arino at larino@mlive.com, subscribe to her Facebook posts and follow her on Twitter: @lishaarino.