You guys, I cannot BELIEVE it is Thursday already! Time is just FLYING by and it's not because of the time difference. Well, not entirely because of the time difference.

The show last night was a blast! It was way more high energy than Tuesday night and I really enjoyed it! If you follow my Tweets (and really, you should!), you will know that there are a LOT of dancers this year! I think there are more dancers than I have ever seen before, which is great. I wonder, though, if the contestants get super nervous becase dance fiend Mark Ballas is a judge? That would definitely make me nervous, but I just enjoy watching Mark Ballas judge. He gets really into the music and performances.

This morning I had the pleasure of attening a press conference featuring: the Quality of Life finalists, the winner of our fourpoints scholarship award, and a whole slew of former Miss Americas.

Miss Kentucky Ann-Blair Thornton won the Quality of Life Award and gave a very moving speech about her platform and the experience of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's.

I also got the chance to talk one-on-one with Miss Idaho Genevive Nutting, our fourpoints scholarship winner. She is such a lovely young lady and you can learn more about her in the next issue of fourpoints. Her mother also stopped to talk for a minute and was so nice, so excited. It's moments like that, that really make it all worth it!

What else? The former Miss America were awesome as always.

It looked like Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund had a very heavy left hand - I think she's engaged!

The Miss Americas also shared where they keep their crowns. Vonda Kay sleeps in hers and Dorothy Benham keeps hers in a butter cookie tin. I swear, you can't make this stuff up!

The 2012 Quality of Life finalists were announced at the annual arrival ceremony at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The eight finalists and their personal platform issues are:

Miss Arkansas Kristen Glover–Second Chances Through Mentoring
Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape–C.A.R.E., Collegiate Athletes Reaching Everyone
Miss Kentucky Ann Blair Thornton–Alzheimer's Awareness and Research
Miss Michigan Elizabeth Wertenberger–Continue to Dream, Giving Hope to Children with Chronic Illness
Miss Minnesota Natalie Davis–Autism Awareness: The Missing Piece
Miss New Hampshire Regan Hartley–Bullying Awareness in Our Community
Miss New York Kaitlin Monte–Anti-Bullying Through Youth Leadership 
Miss Ohio Ellen Bryan–Promoting Lightning Awareness, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors"

The Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 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 14 during the 3 p.m. (PST) press conference.

Source: Miss America Organization

Four contestants were honored yesterday with these awards.

2011 Quality of Life Finalists Announced

Eight young ladies remain in the race for the 2011 Scholarship.