Each year the U.S. Dream Academy's Power of a Dream Gala attracts and recognizes celebrities, political figures, corporate executives, community leaders, and this year Miss America Royalty. National titleholder Laura Kaeppeler was honored this week by the academy for her personal platform work with children of incarcerated parents.

To date, the gala event has raised $11 million for educational means to address children of incarcerated parents. The mission of the Dream Academy is to make a difference for at-risk children of incarcerated parents. The academy is an afterschool program that offers academic and learning opportunities to engage children and help them realize goals and ambitions.

Among others recognized at this year's gala were Lars Houmann, President & CEO Florida Hospital; Mark Ingram, Jr., Heisman Trophy Winner New Orleans Saints of the National Football League; Hilton O. Smith, Sr. Vice-President, Community Affairs Turner Construction Company; George Allen "Pat" Summerall, Former National Football League Player and Television Sportscaster; and Kathy Victor, Board of Directors Chairman, Independent Business Owners Association International.

Source and photo: MAO

Miss America Laura Kaeppeler is in New York today kicking off the 2012 Great American Cleanup. Laura will take the stage in Military Square with members of the Keep America Beautiful organization and other city officials. The group will recognize National Volunteer Week and encourage the entire city to focus on environmental cleanliness and sustainability through recycling and volunteering.

There are more than thirty thousand community improvement events throughout the United States made possible by millions of volunteers. Today's event will put these workers in the spotlight and celebration their dedication to keeping the earth clean and green.

Laura will sing the National Anthem tonight at Yankees Stadium. Tune in to your local station to see her and the game! It will air on YES Network and MLB Network.

Source: MAO

I had the unique pleasure of spending two days with Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012, this week. I'd interviewed her previously on the phone for fourpoints' April/May cover, and I had the sense that we were going to have fun.

For another reporting jobs, I've met and interviewed politicos like Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, and T.V. personalities like Christopher Knight (aka Bobby Brady), but I was particularly looking forward to meeting Laura because even on the phone, I could tell she was just a regular girl with a fantastic story to tell.

What was most remarkable about Laura is despite her extravagant evening gowns, flawless, white bikini wearing figure, and frequent flyer miles, when I was with her, she felt like an old friend. I am a 24 year old gal from the Midwest. She is a 24 year old gal from the Midwest, and although she carries a heavy responsibility on her perfectly postured shoulders, she conducts herself sans grandeur or entitlement. We talked dating, splurging on desserts, favorite musical genres, and (in another life) what tattoos we'd get.

The fact is that she has a story to tell, and a history of hard work that led her to today, just like each one of you, and just like me. That is how I will remember her, not as Miss America 2012, but as Laura, the sea-food loving, her own hair-doing, dog-loving woman with a dream, passion, and a good sense of humor.

Written by: Erika Fifelski joined the Serendipity Media, LLC team in August 2011. Before that she wrote for a daily newspaper in Northeast Michigan. She has a degree in journalism from Michigan State University, and if she had to choose, her platform would involve advocating for urban farming and food sovereignty.

As a recently recruited writer for the fourpoints team, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself to the members of the pageantry world. The exposure I had to the Miss America Organization prior to this position can be summed up by a handful of evenings spent watching the annual pageant, and a DVD copy of Miss Congeniality. But in the short weeks I've been writing, I have come into contact with contestants, volunteers, Executive Directors, and parents who are true advocates for the organization.

I got into writing because it is my heartfelt belief that everyone has a story to tell. Writing, however, can sometimes be daunting, and that's where I come in. If I can encounter someone, listen to their experiences, and craft an article that exemplifies their passion, then I have succeeded. The people I have interviewed so far for the upcoming issue of fourpoints have fierce affection for MAO, and frankly, they are making my job easy. I hope our fourpoints readers will be as inspired by them as I already am.

I still get starry eyed talking to Miss States over the phone, and my knees are weak just preparing to interview Miss America Laura Kaeppeler in the coming weeks, but to all participants in the Miss America Organization, I am truly looking forward to this opportunity to share in your joys and journeys to scholarship, success, style and service.

Erika Fifelski joined the Serendipity Media, LLC team in August 2011. Before that she wrote for a daily newspaper in Northeast Michigan. She has a degree in journalism from Michigan State University, and if she had to choose, her platform would involve advocating for urban farming and food sovereignty.

Miss Arizona 2011 Jennifer Sedler weighed in on timely and controversial topics on ABC15 Now! Thursday.

Watch what she has to say about airline taxes, beach regulations, women in combat, and approaching strange dogs.

Hailey Steele, the former Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2005, and her band mate Leland Grant appeared on NBC's The Voice, and will compete for the this season's grand prize–a recording contract.

The duo performed Monday night in front of judges Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine. Hailey's band, The LiNE, got together in November 2008, and it hopes to make it in the country music world. Watch The Voice Mondays at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Source and Photo: MAOT

Miss America Laura Kaeppeler wowed football fans and the media on Sunday when she spent the day in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Super Bowl. She took part in game-day events, and even took a seat for the big game. Laura participated in a sandwich judging contest that benefited Taste of the NFL, a charity that raises money for food banks across America. To donate, visit Kick Hunger Challenge online.

Laura brought attention to the Miss America Organization while being interviewed on "Radio Row" by reporters from NFL.com, Sirius/XM Radio and Yahoo! Sports.

Source and Photo: MAO

Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler appeared on ABC's Good Morning America this morning at 8 a.m. Eastern. In her second appearance on the show, she took part in the Taste of the NFL event preceding Super Bowl XLVI. The show was broadcast from the location of the Super Bowl, Indianapolis, Indiana. If you missed this morning's broadcast, check ABC.com to watch the full episode later this week.

Source: MAO

The Miss Alabama pageant may be most well known for giving us our first deaf Miss America, Heather Whitestone, but the pageant has both a rich history and an exciting future.

The Birmingham News started the pageant in 1921. In the early years, both Miss Birmingham and Miss Alabama competed for the national title of Miss America. Eventually, Miss Birmingham (along with Miss Mobile and Miss Montgomery) became local titles. Today, the pageant has a grand total of forty-seven locals–closed, open and university pageants.

It takes a lot of people and time to keep the Miss Alabama pageant going throughout the year, and especially during pageant week. Executive Director Nan Teninbaum credits many people behind-the-scenes for the success of the pageants.

"Our board of directors is most definitely a working board," says Nan. "Everyone has assignments. We couldn't do it without the parents of former Miss Alabama’s who pitch in and help."

Another group of people that help tremendously with the pageant are Miss Alabama alumni. Whether they are former Miss Alabama’s or local contestants, they are great resources for the Miss Alabama pageant.

"You have got to involve your alumni," says Nan. "Let them know that you need their help. A young lady who has been through the program will love to educate someone else on the values of her experience. I have found many times that the young lady who never wins gets the most out of the experience.

The pageant also has a large group of generous donors and sponsors that allow both the pageant and the titleholder to have the best year possible. It's clear that the Miss Alabama program is doing something right. With three Miss Americas to call their own, nearly fifty local pageants, and dozens of volunteers, it's easy to see that the organization is on the right track. According to Nan, their collective success comes from simple dedication.

"We get paid for our time in so many different ways," says Nan. "We wouldn't do what we do if we didn't truly believe in the program."

Read more about the Miss Alambama pageant in the December/January 2011-12 issue of fourpoints

Written by: Julie Anne Long. Photo: Danny Barrett of Pageant Works

The Phoenix Children's Hospital got a royal visit on Monday from Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler. It was her first hospital visit this year.

The Children's Miracle Network Hospital patients got to spend time talking and doing crafts with Miss America. At the end of her visit, Laura presented the hospital with a check for more than $360,000 that will be used in the learning center, "One Darn Cool School," at the hospital.

"It's been a great morning, and full of lots of laughs from the kids. They are so much fun. I hoped to brighten their day but, they brightened my day just as much," Laura said.

Click here to see a video of Miss America at the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

The Children's Miracle Network is the official platform of the Miss America Organization.

Source and Photos: Miss America Organization