I have arrived safe and sound on the scene for the 2011 Miss American pageant. Watch out, Las Vegas!

It's so good to be back at the home of the Miss America pageant and I beat all the bad weather to get here!

So far, I've attended one evening of preliminary competition and one press conference.

The competition last night was incredible! All 53 contestants are wearing silver dresses by Joseph Ribkoff and silver shoes by DSW for the opening number. The stage design is very modern with a lot of pink and silver lights. It is always so exciting to see the 53 contestants on stage for the first time. You can check out the preliminary winners on the main page and any other news that is happening this week!

This morning, I got up bright and early to attend a press conference featuring the entire panel of judges. This is always a highly anticipated event because you get to be up, close, and personal with the people who are choosing the next Miss America. I will be writing a more indepth article on this in the February/March issue, but needless to say I am always impressed with the panel chosen by Rick Brinkely and the rest of the MAO staffers. Every member of the panel seemed truly joyful and honored to be a part of this event. Here are some fun facts i learned about the panel:

• Marilu Henner hss an extreme photographic catologuing memory.
• Marc Cherry is a Miss America fan from long ago, AND he can do cartwheels.
• Taryn Rose is the first Vietnamese woman to ever judge the Miss America pageant.
• Before leaving Kosovo for the US, Tony Dovolani fought in the civil war that spread throughout Yugoslavia.

The sponsors for MAO are REALLY doing it up this year - there is a MAJOR Artistry lounge located in the Mezzanine as well as an Miss America showroom for the American Signature Furniture Line. I will snap picks of those and post them as soon as possible.

Everyone is making the 90th annivesary as special as possible!