Debra Dene Barnes, was crowned Miss America in 1968. Barnes was raised in Moran, Kansas. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas and majored in music. After winning the Miss Kansas pageant, she competed in the Miss America pageant. She was crowned in a blue chiffon Alyce Hamm gown by Alyce Designs A talented pianist, she played the theme from "Born Free" as her talent entry. During her farewell address at the 1968 pageant, her speech was interrupted by protesters from New York Radical Women, who unfurled a bed sheet from the balcony that said "Women's Liberation" and began to shout "Women's Liberation!" and "No more Miss America!" They were quickly removed by police but drew coverage by newspapers from across the United States. As a former Miss America, she has performed in 41 states and 3 foreign countries, on network television, numerous cable stations, and still maintains an active performance schedule. She graduated from Pittsburg State University, she has performed two concertos with the university orchestra and Gershwin?s ?Rhapsody in Blue?, with the Carthage Symphonic Band.