She represented Missouri in the April 12 , 2004 , nationally televised Miss USA 2004 pageant at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles in front of hosts Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush and judges Jeff Gordon , Jerry Buss , John Salley , Mekhi Phifer , Rocco DiSpirito and Jill Stuart . Her final question was whether experience or education serves a person better in life to which she answered " Definitely experience because you get your knowledge through experience . " She competed on the platform of integrating people with mental challenges into society . In the nationally televised pageant , she became the first woman from Missouri to win the Miss USA title . During her reign as Miss USA , Finnessey became an advocate for breast cancer and ovarian cancer awareness and research . She has also worked with Special Olympics , the National Down Syndrome Convention , American Cancer Society and Derek Jeter 's Turn 2 Foundation ( which helps at-risk kids choose healthier lifestyles ) . Finnessey resided in a luxury Riverside Drive apartment in New York City provided by the Miss Universe Organization and pageant co-owner Donald Trump
Miss USA 2004
Miss USA 2004
Shandi Finnessey