Redskinette Monique Thompkins Wins Miss DC USA Crown, Drops It, Puts It Back On

Go HERE for more images, and TAG your friends!

Monique Thompkins was crowned Miss DC USA 2012 last night at the Miss DC USA pageant at the J.W. Marriott Hotel.

Thompkins, who won the top scores in the swimsuit and evening gown categories, dropped her crown in the hustle and bustle of post-win photography chaos but put it back on with the help of Miss DC USA 2011 Heather Swann.

[Redskins cheerleaders scream in the background for their teammate Monique Thompkins as she is crowned Miss DC USA 2012]

Pageants have become a big deal in DC, compared to other major cities. There's the whole "DC is a city of transplants" thing (many girls that become involved in pageants are southerners studying at one of DC's universities) and since DC is notoriously thin on celebrities and models, these girls get big-city star treatment and appearance fees.

[Miss DC USA 2012 Monique Thompkins and Miss DC Teen USA 2012 Sierra Hadley; Miss DC USA 2011 Heather Swann with her replica doll]

Some go on to get pretty cushy employment gigs from all the networking, or use the opportunity to push their philanthropy platform with the vast resources DC has for charities.

[Thompkins is a DC native, born and raised]

[The top 5]

[Miss Sinergy Lydia Hu, John Paul Hamilton, Miss Maryland USA 2012 Nana Meriwether]

[Redskinettes and friends]