All 53 contestants competing
for the 2012 Miss America Pageant debuted in their EXPRESS fashions at the
annual arrival ceremony at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Returning to the Theatre for the Performing Arts at
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for the seventh consecutive year, the
contestants’ arrival kicked off a week of preliminary competitions (interview,
lifestyle and fitness, talent and evening wear), culminating in the live telecast on ABC,
Saturday, Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. (EST)/tape delay (PST).
On hand to welcome and
introduce the 2012 Miss America Contestants were Rossi Ralenkotter, President
and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Tom Collins,
Commissioner and Board Chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority; David Hoenemeyer, Regional President of Bally's, Paris and Planet
Hollywood; Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board of the Miss America
Organization and Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America
Organization.
This year’s Quality of Life
finalists were also announced at the ceremony.
The eight finalists and their
personal platform issues are:
Miss Arkansas Kristen Glover
- Second Chances Through Mentoring
Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape -
C.A.R.E. - Collegiate Athletes Reaching Everyone
Miss Kentucky Ann Blair
Thornton - Alzheimer's Awareness and Research
Miss Michigan Elizabeth
Wertenberger - Continue to Dream - Giving Hope to
Children with Chronic Illness
Miss Minnesota Natalie Davis
- Autism Awareness: The Missing Piece
Miss New Hampshire Regan
Hartley - Bullying Awareness in Our Community
Miss New York Kaitlin Monte -
Anti-Bullying Through Youth Leadership
Miss Ohio Ellen Bryan -
Promoting Lightning Awareness - "When Thunder Roars, Go
Indoors"
The Quality of Life Awards
were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment
to community service. In order to be
considered for the Quality of Life Award, contestants must submit an
application describing their involvement with Children's Miracle Network, the
national platform of the Miss America Organization, and their own personal
platform issue.
The winner of the Quality of
Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will win a
$4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will win a $2,000
scholarship. Winners will be announced at
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 14 during the 3:00 p.m. (PST)
press conference.
Additional information about
the Miss America Organization can be found at www.MissAmerica.org.
For tickets to attend the
Miss America Competition, call Ticketmaster at 1-877-307-8667 or visit
www.ticketmaster.com.
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