Miss America 2009

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD” FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL ARRIVAL CEREMONY

Winners to be Announced at January 22 Press ConferenceLas Vegas, NV – January 15, 2009 – This year's Quality of Life finalists were announced today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2009 Miss America Pageant Arrival Ceremony. The Arrival Ceremony was the first time the Las Vegas community was able to see all the Miss America hopefuls and welcome them to the city. On hand to announce the finalists were Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, Bill Feather, president of Planet Hollywood Management, Inc., Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization and Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board of the Miss America Organization.The eight finalists and their personal platform issues are: Miss Alabama Amanda Tapley: "Music for a Cure"Miss Hawaii Nicole Fox: "The Adopt-A-College Program"Miss Indiana Katie Stam: "Super Saturday of Service"Miss Kentucky Emily Cox: "Uniquely Me - Promoting Self Esteem in Adolescent GirlsMiss Michigan Ashlee Baracy: "Breast Cancer Awareness & Education"Miss North Carolina Amanda Watson: "Making ALS History, One Person at a Time"Miss Rhode Island Francesca Simone: "F.A.C.T. - Families of Alzheimers Carrying the Torch"Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler: "Empowering America's Youth"

This year, the newly renamed “Evelyn Ay Sempier Quality of Life Awards” were funded through the generosity of our Miss Americas. In honor of Miss America 1954 Evelyn Ay Sempier, the Miss America sisters funded three Quality of Life awards with special attention paid to depth of service, creativity of the project and the significant effects upon the lives of others.Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1989 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 22 during the 10:30 a.m. (PST) press conference.