“I knew I wanted to win, but I wasn’t sure that I could,” she admits. “It was so hard to imagine.

Oh man, you guys. January 14 is SO CLOSE. I can barely stand how excited I am to attend the pageant again this year and meet our new Miss America! I love making new Miss America memories each year, and a lot of them revolve around the music in the show. Whenever I hear the Black Eyed Peas, I automatically think of Miss America!

I'm anxious to see what music they are using for the production this year – I would love to hear something contemporary (like the Black Eyed Peas) this year. I'm a Lady Gaga fan, but I don't know that it's music that goes with pageant productions. What are some of YOUR suggestions for the Miss America production numbers?

Check out what Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan has to say to students considering dropping out of high school.

Today at an editorial meeting, the phrase "it factor" came up in conversation. This is not one of my favorite phrases, to tell you the truth. It's one of those things we say that doesn't mean too much. Because, when it comes down to it, can you define "it factor"? I am guessing not.

But, still and yet, it is something we talk about. Many judges have used that phrase to describe our Miss Americas. The French call it "je ne sais quoi" which really just means "I don't know what." And I think that comes as close to a definition as you possibly can - I don't know what it is precisely that makes Miss America sparkle, but she has it.

When Nigel Barker, noted fashion photographer (call me, Nigel), judged the Miss America pageant, he spoke very eloquently about the concept of MIss America and celebrity. As eloquent as he was though (seriously, call me Nigel), he couldn't define the it factor. This is what I think of when someone says it:

•When she enters a room, everyone notices her.

•You feel like you are the only person in the room when she talks to you.

•She makes you want to be a better person.

What are the ways that YOU define the it factor?

Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization welcomes 16 teens to the inaugural Teens In Training Camp 2011. Teens In Training Camp is designed for girls, ages 13 to 17, who are interested in competing in the MAOTeen pageant system or who are looking to improve upon skills that promote self-confidence and poise. Participants will have the opportunity to attend professional workshops in interview, on-camera and on-stage performance, makeup, style, walking and public relations all taught by leaders in their fields! Get a behind-the-scenes tour of MAOTeen, participate in an exclusive photo session with the MAOTeen photographers and take the stage at the national competition during the week of August 16 - 20, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

"Having competed in the MAOTeen system, I know how exciting and beneficial it is being a part of national competition week.  I am so excited to meet all the girls participating in Teens in Training Camp and to see how much they enjoy their MAOTeen experience," says Teens in Training Camp founder  and Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen 2006 Tawni Darby.  "I am very confident that the girls will leave Orlando with tons of experience, newfound confidence, and many incredible memories!"

To meet the teens participating in Teens In Training Camp please click www.teensintrainingcamp.com/meet.  

To learn more about the speakers that will be presenting to the Teens In Training Camp please click www.teensintrainingcamp.com/speakers

Artistry, the official makeup and skincare sponsor of the Miss America Organization, has given us some great tips and hints on summer trends! 

Use these tricks of the trade for flawless summer beauty. 

1. Get Glowing:
Make the switch to tinted moisturizer for the perfect amount of summer coverage that won’t slick off in the sun.

2. Bronze Believably:
Apply darker shades of ARTISTRY® 3D Face Powder with a light touch to areas where the sun would naturally kiss: forehead, top of the nose, cheekbones, temples, tip of the chin. Add dimension with lighter shades to the bridge of the nose and tops of cheekbones.

3. Avoid Makeup Meltdown: 
The summer humidity will smudge mascara, and raccoon eyes is never a good look. Avoid them by only using waterproof mascara, especially when applying to lower lashes (try ARTISTRY Total Mascara).

4. Wear Sheer Colour:
Vibrant summer colours are most beautiful when worn as watercolour washes. To get the look, tap off excess eye colour and apply with a soft touch. Try the beautiful greens and blues from the ARTISTRY Bloom In Colour Trend Colour Collection Eye Compacts for a gorgeously sheer wash of colour. Or, apply a light washing of a shimmering white eye colour (try Starry Night), then lightly layer a darker colour on top (try Eclipse or Rain Forest).

5. Tap on Colour:
Use your finger to dab on lip colour for a natural, stained look. The hottest shades this season are fuchsia and apricot (try ARTISTRY Bloom In Colour Lip Colour).

Teresa visits Washington D.C. to promote Let's Read! Let's Move!

Miss Alaska 2011 Katy Lovegreen
Education: Alaska Pacific University
Platform: “Speak Out:” Promoting Public Speaking and Debate Programs for Youth
Talent: Dance

Miss California 2011 Noelle Freeman
Education: Chapman University
Platform: A Promising Future for Autism
Talent: Ballet en Pointe

Miss Colorado 2011 Diana Dreman
Education: University of Colorado at Boulder
Platform: American Cancer Society
Talent: Dance

Miss Connecticut 2011 Morgan Amarone
Education: Quinnipiac University
Platform: The Power of Pink – Cancer Education and Awareness
Talent: Jazz Dance

Miss Louisiana 2011 Hope Anderson
Education: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Platform: Love the Skin You’re In
Talent: Dance “Sway”

Miss Maryland 2011 Carlie Colella
Education: Hood College
Platform: Empowerment of Women: Creating an Equal Opportunity for Success
Talent: Contemporary Dance

Miss New Mexico 2011 Sarina Turnbull
Education: New Mexico State University
Platform: Children's Literacy: Turn the Page to a Lifetime of Knowledge
Talent: Ballet en Pointe

Miss North Carolina 2011 Hailey Best
Education: Meredith College
Platform: Live On Foundation
Talent: Operatic Vocal

Miss South Dakota 2011 Anna Simpson
Education: South Dakota State University
Platform: Give Back
Talent: Piano

Miss Utah 2011 Danica Olsen
Education: Utah Valley University
Platform: Prescription Drug Addiction Awareness
Talent: Dance

Miss Vermont 2011 Katie Levasseur
Education: University of Vermont
Platform: Youth of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow
Talent: Scottish Highland Dance

Miss Virginia 2011 Elizabeth Crot
Education: James Madison University
Platform: Get Involved: Change the World!
Talent: Vocal

Miss Wyoming 2011 Catherine Brown
Education: University of Wyoming
Platform: Traumatic Brain Injury and Awareness
Talent: Pop Vocal and Sign Language Interpretation – “Come Away with Me”

In addition, the followin Outstanding Teens have been crowned:

Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen 2011 Nicole Nemense
Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2011 Julia Martin
Miss Maine's Outstanding Teen 2011 Alison Folsom
Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2011 Ally Soule
Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen 2011 McKensie Garber
Miss New Mexico's Outstanding Teen 2011 Nicolette Noel Young
Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2011 Lauren Molella
Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen 2011 Clytee Burchett
Miss Rhode Island's Outstanding Teen 2011 Ivy Shen
Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2011 Alexis Kosiak
Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen 2011 Madison Snipes
Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2011 Annie Jorgensen
Miss Wyoming's Outstanding Teen 2011 Montana Sannes

The 2012 Miss America Pageant will be hosted by Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort

Preliminary winners were named tonight in the first night of competition at the 2011 Miss Indiana Pageant in Zionsville, Indiana.

Preliminary Talent Winner was Miss Duneland, Jackie Jerlecki,  of Goshen. Jaclie is a graduate of Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She sang “Take Me to the World” from Morning Primrose.

Preliminary Swimsuit Winner was Miss Crossroads to America, Carolyne Holcombe, of Terre Haute. Carolyne is a recent graduate of Indiana State University.

Competition continues Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with two more Preliminary Winners named in Talent and Swimsuit. The Miss Indiana Pageant finals are Saturday, June 25, 2011. All competitions are at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center.  Tickets available at the Box Office and by calling Pat Farm at 574-527-7795. The new Miss Indiana will compete at the Miss America Pageant in January, 2012. For more information, go to www.missindianapageant.com.

You can also stay constantly up-to-date by joining the Miss Indiana Pageant Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter. 

Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen are official state pageants of the Miss America Organization, one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. More information about Miss America can be found at www.missamerica.org.