Crystle Stewart, 26, from Missouri City, Texas was crowned Miss USA 2008.

Crystle Stewart crowned Miss USA

Crystle Stewart, runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company, as well as modeling professionally. She says she wants to dedicate her life to international philanthropy.

"I want to talk to people about how to set a goal and achieve it," Stewart, who edged out first runner-up Leah Laviano of Mississippi and Tiffany Andrade of New Jersey, was quoted by The Associated Press as saying after the show, "Because I just achieved my goal."

Stewart, who completed her degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising at the University of Houston, founded and runs her business "Inside/Out" which aids young women in building self-esteem and volunteers with many organizations in the community.