In 1881, a beauty contest was held on a beach in Delaware.
Some people consider that event the beginning of the modern American pageant culture.
In the generations that followed, Delaware had its share of pageant stars. But the state never gained much of a reputation for swimsuit winners, even though its own competitive tradition began with bathing beauties on the seashore. Ms. Hein, who is working toward a master's degree in nutrition, has been a model for a decade, and a swimsuit competitor since her early 20s. Since her victory, she is in demand from coast to coast. She is preparing for her first appearance in a music video, and will soon be moving to California to try her luck in the entertainment industry.