BALTIMORE -- Baltimore has welcomed 51 of the most beautiful American women this month.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Kate Amara reported the Miss USA Competition events have started, and catering to this crowd requires some interesting extras.

The beauty queens moved into the Wyndham Hotel downtown on Monday. For the next two weeks, they will call it home, and the hotel's general manager, Chris Phillips, said his staff had to convert rooms and call for back-up.

"(We needed) more towels," he said. "We purchased additional clothing racks so they can hang their items as needed."

The delegates' days are packed with fittings, photo shoots and interviews.

"If you need lip gloss, somebody's always got it!" said Miss Virginia-USA Amber Copley.

As the unofficial hostess, Miss Maryland-USA Melissa Digiulian got some extra perks, including the honor of a first pitch at Wednesday's Oriole's game.

"My brother was in the background saying, 'Alright! You need to practice! I can't have you embarrassing me!'" she said.

No worries, though, because these ladies are poised and smart.

Miss Pennsylvania-USA Tanya Lehman is a college senior who won't stop studying.

"I took midterms before I left and my professors are sending me papers while I'm here," she said.

Miss Washington, D.C.-USA Candace Allen is looking at law schools for next September, and she's also looking to network.

"You never know what doors will open," Allen said.

Beauty queen is the third career for Miss California-USA Tamiko Nash, a 26-year-old former computer teacher who's excited for a change of pace -- and palate.

"When traveling, you want to experience the best of the cities that you're in and I have heard about the crab cakes," Nash said.

You can watch the Miss USA Competition live on WBAL-TV 11 on Friday, April 21 at 9 p.m.

Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest Miss USA 2006 updates.