PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA (Written by Fiona Henry) - If you ask high school senior Shelley Hennig what she did over her summer break, she'll have an exciting answer. Hennig, a 5'8", 17-year-old, brunette beauty from Destrehan, Louisiana, won the title of Miss Teen USA 2004. She was crowned by 2003 winner, Tami Farrell of Oregon.

The new Miss Teen USA made history as the first winner from the Pelican state. Hennig impressed the judges with her answer to a question about whether she felt that her future would be determined by choice, chance, or destiny. "I think my future, as well as everyone else's future, is determined by choice, definitely. The only way to see where you are going is to make the right decisions. If you make the right decisons, that's where you're gonna go. If you make pathetic decisions, you're never gonna get anywhere. So, I think choice is definitely over anything," Hennig said.

Hennig, a published poet, listed choreography, drawing, and painting among her hobbies.

Four diverse young women accompanied Hennig in the final five. Miss Hawaii Teen USA Sonya Balmores, 18, of Kalaheo, was 1st Runner-Up. Sonya loves photography, surfing, and listening to music.

Miss Nevada Teen USA Helen Salas, 18, of Las Vegas, was 2nd Runner-Up. Helen included playing the clarinet and collecting Beanie Babies as two of her hobbies.

Miss Maryland Teen USA Amanda Williams, 18, of Jarrettsville, was 3rd Runner-Up. Amanda's hobbies include singing, cars, and hanging out with friends.

Miss Tennessee Teen USA Tiffany Stroud, 16, of Limestone, was 4th Runner-Up. Tiffany listed swimming, chorus, driving, and modeling among her many hobbies.

The five remaining delegates in the final ten were Terra Moody, 18, of Birmingham, Alabama; Allison Arling, 18, of Lakeville, Minnesota; Meagan Winings, 18, of Atkinson, Nebraska; Rachael Carrollo, 17, of Wantage, New Jersey; and Catherine Muldoon, 18, of Chappaqua, New York.

This year at Miss Teen USA, fifteen ladies originally made the quarter-finals. The five remaining delegates among the top fifteen included Miss Georgia Teen USA Brooke Calhoun; Miss Missouri Teen USA Alissa Reitmeier; Miss North Dakota Teen USA Breanna Abernathey, who was also named Miss Congeniality; Miss South Carolina Teen USA Lindsey Sporrer; and Miss Texas Teen USA Magen Ellis.

One other special award-winner at the pageant this year was Sarah French of Arkansas, who was named Miss Photogenic.

The star-studded judges' panel in charge of selecting Hennig as the new Miss Teen USA included Ross Matthews, known as "Ross The Intern" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, former Miss Teen USA Shauna Gambill, and Carolyn Kepcher, one of the stars of the hit NBC show "The Apprentice."

The Miss Teen USA 2004 Pageant, hosted by Tony Potts of Access Hollywood and Vanessa Minnillo, MTV host and former Miss Teen USA, was held at the Palm Springs Convention Center.