Venezuelan ex-Miss Universe, Alicia Machado is expecting her first baby boy! The 31-year-old model confirmed her pregnancy to the Mexican gossip show, La oreja.
The new baby boom generation has arrived! Felicidades Alicia!
Las Vegas, Nevada - January 24, 2008 - Miss Connecticut Dana Elaine Daunis was named Thursday night's preliminary Talent winner for her Vocal performance "Let Him Fly," during the third night of competition in 2008 Miss America Live! at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Dana will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Also in the spotlight was Miss Texas Molly Hazlett, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a black Winnwear swimsuit. Molly will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Be sure to tune in to the final episode of Miss America: Reality Check on Friday, January 25 at 10:00pm on TLC. And watch live as a new Miss America is crowned on 2008 Miss America Live! airing on TLC, Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. Central. Miss America Live! will be tape delayed to air at 8 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. Mountain.
As the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women and one of the nation's leading achievement programs, the Miss America Organization last year made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization provides young women with a vehicle to further their personal and professional goals and instills a spirit of community service through a variety of nationwide community-based programs.
Additional information about the Miss America Organization can be found at www.MissAmerica.org
For up-to-the-minute competition news and information, as well as downloadable high-resolution images of Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson and the 2008 contestants, visit the 24-hour online pressroom at www.MissAmericaPressRoom.com.
To download photos of tonight's preliminary winners, go to www.missamerica.org. Photos will be available for download, starting at 9:00am ET the morning following the preliminary competition.
Thirty-Year Miss Oregon Volunteer
Las Vegas, Nevada- January 23, 2008 ---The Miss America Organization today announced that Dana Phillips, Executive Director of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program, is this year’s winner of the 2008 Academy of Honor Award. This prestigious award was established in 1996 to recognize one individual annually who has provided outstanding service to the Miss America Organization at the State or Local pageant level.
According to Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America Organization, Dana exemplifies what it means to be an Academy of Honor Award recipient. “Dana’s dedication and passion for the Miss America Organization are a shining example for others to follow,” said McMaster. “During her years of continuous service since 1972, she has made significant contributions to the Miss America program at the local, state and national level.” Her appointments have included serving as a Local Executive Director, a State Executive Director, Vice President of the National Association of Miss America State Pageants, and National Chair of the Miss America Trade Show.
One of Dana’s biggest fans is Miss America 2002 Katie Harman. “I have been blessed in so many truly innumerable ways by Dana Phillip’s selfless and passionate leadership of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program,” said Harman. “She lovingly guided me in my public service as Miss Oregon and wholeheartedly assisted me in my preparation for the Miss America Pageant. She was a source of comfort, encouragement and wisdom during my reign as Miss America 2002.”
“I adore the fact that Dana finds something unique and wonderful in each Miss Oregon,” said Harman, “and that she celebrates it and shouts it forth to the world like any proud mother. She cradles this program and nurtures it, as well as the people involved with it, with love, devotion, optimism and gentle encouragement.”
Dana’s most visible contribution may be her tenure as Chair of the National Association of Miss America State Pageants Trade Show for the past seventeen years. Since 1990, this project has yielded an estimated $150,000 to fund numerous NAMASP membership services.
Dana’s husband Steve is also a veteran Miss America volunteer. In 1998, following the tragic death of their only daughter in a car accident, they established the Tiffany Phillips Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award. This scholarship is presented each year to an MAO contestant that demonstrates the spirit and tenacity to balance exceptional athletic skill with academic prowess.
When asked what influenced her to volunteer with the Miss America Organization, Dana explained that she is a second generation volunteer. “It is very gratifying to know that I had a small part in assisting thousands of young women to open doors of opportunity through education and in helping prepare them for life,” said Phillips.
Dana will be presented with a Waterford crystal eagle at an award ceremony in Las Vegas and her name will be engraved with other Academy of Honor winners at the Miss America Organization’ national headquarters. In addition, the Miss America Organization will award a $10,000 scholarship grant to the Miss Oregon scholarship fund.
Previous recipients of the Academy of Honor Award include Kay Dickinson, North Carolina, 2007; Bruce Robert, Massachusetts, 2006; Gail Sanders, South Carolina, 2004; Charles Welch, Oklahoma, 2003; Tess Beauchamp, Connecticut, 2002; Robert W. Arnhym, California, 2001; Joseph P. Sanders, South Carolina, 2000; Larry Webber, Missouri, 1999; Meg Geraghty, New Hampshire, 1998; Robert Wheeler, Arkansas, 1997; and Tom Hensley, Tennessee, 1996.
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.
MISS MASSACHUSETTS AND MISS MICHIGAN WIN PRELIMINARY AWARDS AT 2008 MISS AMERICA LIVE!
Las Vegas, Nevada – January 23, 2008 – Miss Massachusetts Valerie J. Amaral was named Wednesday night’s preliminary Talent winner for her Vocal performance “Anyway,” during the second night of competition in 2008 Miss America Live! at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Valerie will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Also in the spotlight was Miss Michigan, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a black Winnwear swimsuit with gold trim and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Be sure to tune in to the final episode of Miss America: Reality Check on Friday, January 25 at 10:00pm on TLC. And watch live as a new Miss America is crowned on 2008 Miss America Live! airing on TLC, Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. Central. Miss America Live! will be tape delayed to air at 8 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. Mountain.
As the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women and one of the nation’s leading achievement programs, the Miss America Organization last year made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization provides young women with a vehicle to further their personal and professional goals and instills a spirit of community service through a variety of nationwide community-based programs.
Additional information about the Miss America Organization can be found at www.MissAmerica.org.
MISS AMERICA CONTESTANTS RETURN TO FASHION SHOW’S RUNWAY FOR THIRD ANNUAL MEET AND GREET &
GET SWEPT AWAY IN AN EVENING OF SOUND AND DANCE
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 20, 2008 – For the third year, the 52 Miss America contestants walked the runway at the Fashion Show Mall, the largest shopping destination on Las Vegas Boulevard. Lynn Hackerman Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971, was master of ceremonies for the event, which was sponsored by the BEST Agency, a full-service Las Vegas-based entertainment and modeling agency.
After the contestants walked the clear, Plexiglass 80-foot long retractable runway with multimedia video screens playing, they met with fans to sign autographs and pose for photos.
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 18, 2008 – Following the first day of rehearsals, all 52 contestants vying for the title of Miss America 2008 were treated to a relaxing gondola ride through The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. After enjoying a serenade by singing gondoliers and a scrumptious Dessert Reception compliments of The Venetian, the contestants disembarked to sign autographs, pose for photos and conduct interviews with the media.
MISS IOWA AND MISS RHODE ISLAND WIN
PRELIMINARY AWARDS AT 2008 MISS AMERICA LIVE!
Las Vegas, Nevada – January 22, 2008 – Miss Iowa Diana Reed was named Tuesday night’s preliminary Talent winner for her Baton Twirling performance to “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” during the first night of competition in 2008 Miss America Live! at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Diana will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Also in the spotlight was Miss Rhode Island Ashley Bickford, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a black Winnwear swimsuit with gold trim. Ashley will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Be sure to tune in to the final episode of Miss America: Reality Check on Friday, January 25 at 10:00pm on TLC. And watch live as a new Miss America is crowned on 2008 Miss America Live! airing on TLC, Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. Central. Miss America Live! will be tape delayed to air at 8 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. Mountain.
As the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women and one of the nation’s leading achievement programs, the Miss America Organization last year made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization provides young women with a vehicle to further their personal and professional goals and instills a spirit of community service through a variety of nationwide community-based programs.
Additional information about the Miss America Organization can be found at www.MissAmerica.org.
TLC AND THE
| What: | The America Legion is sponsoring 50 members of the National Guard to attend Miss America Live! at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this Saturday, January 26. Several of these soldiers served alongside Miss Utah, Jill Stevens, in Afghanistan and are showing their support as she competes for the coveted Miss America crown. Among those attending are National Vice Commander Peggy Dettori and Utah State Commander Gary Schwartz. |
About Miss America Live!
Saturday, January 26 at 8PM (ET/tape delayed PT)
The event is hosted by Entertainment Tonight's Mark Steines. This year’s panel of esteemed judges includes legendary Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee; edgy fashion designer Trace Ayala (cofounder of William Rast Denim with Justin Timberlake); Hollywood’s hottest casting director Jason La Padura (High School Musical); editor of OK! Magazine Sarah Ivens; entrepreneur James Arthur Ray (CEO, James Ray International), CNN newscaster Robin Meade and fitness trainer Kim Lyons (Biggest Loser). This panel of judges is comprised of experts in each of the fields that a young woman must excel in, in order to be named Miss America.
About MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK
Final Episode Airs Friday, January 25 at 10PM (ET/PT) on TLC
Hosted by Michael Urie, the series is designed to get the 52 state winners to forget everything they’ve learned in “pageant schools” over the years…the walk…the talk…the hairspray…and prepare them for the final competition to select Miss America 2008…a relatable “it girl” who can connect with today’s modern woman.
 | |
2008 "MISS AMERICA LIVE" PAGEANT
I am handing over my crown at the Miss America pageant on Saturday, January 26, 2008. I’m pretty sad about it ending actually. I dedicated four or five years to this organization. It’s the end of an era in my life, and definitely a bitter sweet moment.
I don’t actually remember watching Miss America every year when I was a little girl in Oklahoma, but I do remember looking up to the girls that were competing. I was in awe of them, so to be able to represent that later on was just amazing.
I started competing when I was about 16 years old. Four years later, I was crowned Miss America 2007. (It’s interesting to note that there’s only ever been a couple Miss Americas that have done “kiddie pageants.”)
In those moments when we were waiting to hear who was to be crowned, I knew it could go only one of two ways; my life was either going to completely change, or I was going to go back to the life I knew.
When I was named Miss America, it was definitely surreal. The first thing I remember was looking into the crowd and seeing the Oklahoma crowd cheering for me. That moment flies by so fast that you really don’t even realize what’s happening.
I was definitely a bit apprehensive about my new job. I really have to tell you that the first week that I was Miss America was probably the hardest week of my life, because I was newly 20, traveling across the country and not knowing when I was going to get to go home and see familiar people.
I was definitely nervous about the responsibility. Everything you do and say is representing the Miss America organization. It is a lot of weight to carry because you’re reflecting all the other contestants and people involved. The judges definitely crown Miss America because she’s ready to take on that responsibility from the start.
After the first week, I settled into my job and started loving it.
My husband and I felt honored to participate in the wreath laying ceremony at the
Beauties of
Miss Germany falls during the evening gown competition in Miss Global City International 2007 Pagent held in Taiwan.
Las Vegas, Nevada – January 17, 2008 – This year’s Quality of Life finalists were announced today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2008 Miss America Live! Arrival Ceremony.
The nine finalists and their personal platform issues are:
Miss Alabama Jamie Langley: Cardiac Care – From the Heart
Miss Florida Kylie Williams: Realistic Support for our Troops
Miss Massachusetts Valerie Amaral: Encouraging Youth to Volunteer
Miss Minnesota Jennifer Hudspeth: The Missing Piece – Understanding Autism
Miss Nevada Caleche Manos: MADD
Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs: “Read to Me”
Miss Oklahoma Makenna Smith: Seatbelts Save Lives, What’s Holding You Back?Miss Rhode Island Ashley Bickford: The kNOw HIV/AIDS Campaign
Miss Tennessee Grace Gore: Graceful Sounds “Bring Music to Their Ears.”
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.
