University of North Texas student Nicole Miner was among the top seven finalists in the Miss America Pageant, before losing out to Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron, on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Miner, 23, was eliminated as Cameron was crowned. Miner was representing New Mexico.

Nicole Miner

Fellow UNT student and Miss Texas Kristen Blair advanced to the top 10 pageant finalists.

Both Miner, of Albuquerque, and Blair, of Southlake, were unavailable for comment following the show, which was televised live at 7 p.m.

Miner and Blair were chosen as semifinalists after a weeklong competition showcasing their interview skills, swimsuits and evening gowns, as well as their talent.

Kristen Blair

After the semifinalists were chosen, Miner and Blair showed off their bikini bodies, and both survived the first cut that took the 15 semifinalists down to 12 finalists.

They also survived the evening gown portion of the contest — Miner, wearing a white, gauzy dress, and Blair, 23, wearing a sophisticated black number — which trimmed another two contestants.

During the evening gown portion of the contest, Blair said glamour was about simplicity, knowing your style and being true to yourself.

“Be proud of your style,” she told the audience. “It’s something people will see and remember you by.”

The UNT students take classes through the university’s music program and chose to sing during the talent round.

While Blair was eliminated after the talent portion of the competition, Miner, who is working toward a degree in music education, went on to answer whether she thought learning foreign languages should be emphasized in American schools.

Miner told judges she thought learning a foreign language should be emphasized in schools, given the diverse nature of the United States.

For more information on the finalists, visit www.missamerica.org.

CANDACE CARLISLE can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is ccarlisle@dentonrc.com.