Miss Orange Will Vie for Miss America

Lyndsay R. Kahler, Miss City of Orange who advocated keeping music programs in public education, was crowned Miss California on Saturday.

“This means the absolute world to me,” said Kahler, who wore a 1950s-style yellow sleeveless dress with an organdy skirt and her hair pinned up.

“To tell you the truth, I’m a little overwhelmed. I’m just honored that the judges think I can represent the state at the national level,” she said.

Kahler, 21, a music major at Concordia University, will represent the state at the 76th Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in September. As Miss California 1996, she will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

During the onstage interview, Kahler, said parents shouldn’t force their children to study music, but that such classes help develop a child’s memory and appreciation for music.