LAS VEGAS - A group of 53 beauty queens picked from around the country for their smiles, struts and interview savvy were set to woo a panel of judges in hopes of winning the Miss America 2010 crown.
The young women from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will cap a week of preliminary competition with the scheduled crowning of a winner Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The winner, crowned by reigning Miss America Katie Stam, gets a $50,000 scholarship and embarks on a yearlong run with the title to represent the organization and raise awareness for her chosen platform.
The 89-year-old pageant to be televised live on cable network TLC is hosted by actor and "Extra" host Mario Lopez, with help from Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not to Wear."
The panel of judges include radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, actress Vivica Fox, musician Dave Koz, Miss America 2002 Katie Harman, gymnast Shawn Johnson and former "American Idol" finalist Brooke White. Comedian Paul Rodriguez was set to be a judge, but organizers said he pulled out because of a family emergency.
Scores based on a week of preliminary competitions will be added to Saturday's swimsuit, talent, evening gown and interview competitions to determine a winner. Each judge will rank their five favorites in order, and their ballots will be used to pick the winner.
Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron, Miss California Kristy Cavinder and Miss Michigan Nicole Blaszczyk each won $2,000 this week for winning talent competitions among three split fields of contestants. Miss Oregon CC Barber, Miss New York Alyse Zwick and Miss Puerto Rico Mimi Pabon each won $1,000 in nightly swimsuit competitions.
Miss Oklahoma Taylor Treat won the $6,000 Quality of Life award, given to the contestant judged to excel most in volunteerism and community service.
In all, the Miss America Organization planned to award $340,000 in scholarships at the national level. The organization says its national, state and local chapters gave more than $45 million last year in cash and scholarships.
The pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino was preceded by a one-hour television special on TLC, "Miss America: Behind the Curtain." The Kelly-hosted special will reveal 12 women - picked by the contestants themselves - who will be part of an online public vote for a spot among the 15 finalists.
Stam, a Seymour, Ind., native, was one of four finalists chosen by viewers last year. This year, the public will pick three finalists to move onto the swimsuit competition.
The crowning of a Miss America began in 1921 as a publicity stunt to persuade tourists on Atlantic City's Boardwalk to stick around after Labor Day. The bathing revue blossomed in the age of television into an American pop icon before fading in later years and losing it place on network TV in 2004. It moved to the Las Vegas Strip in 2006 in an attempt to reinvent itself and has found a home on cable television.
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