The Miss America Contestants Arrive in Vegas!

On the right, Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp, introduces herself in Las Vegas. CLICK HERE for a large album of tiny pictures.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRLS ON THE PLANET MAKE THEIR ARRIVAL AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO!

Las Vegas, Nevada - On Thursday, January 17, 2008, friends and fans turned out to greet the 2008 Miss America contestants at Planet Hollywood on their first day in Las Vegas. The 52 Miss America hopefuls were welcomed to Las Vegas by Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board and Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization, as well as Mike Mecca, president and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

This is the third year the Miss America Pageant will be held in Las Vegas at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This year it will air on TLC on Saturday, January 26, with a new name, “2008 Miss America Live!" and will be hosted by Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight fame.

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MISS AMERICA CONTESTANTS 'FLIP' FOR IHOP PANCAKES

As they gear up for 2008 Miss America Live! on TLC on January 26, the 52 Miss America contestants - armed with forks and spatulas and donning aprons and their state sashes – gathered for a pancake breakfast in honor of Children’s Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization.

The contestants raised awareness about IHOP’s National Pancake Day celebration, a nationwide fundraising effort that generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network programs at children’s hospitals throughout the United States. National Pancake Day will take place on February 12, 2008, when more than 1,300 IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer guests a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities.

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2008 MISS AMERICA “QUALITY OF LIFE” FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

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.

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 24 during the 11 a.m. (PST) press conference.

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