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

Miss America Laura Kaeppeler continues her media tour tonight at the E! Entertainment studios where she will be interviewed and featured on E! News tonight. The Midwestern queen will spend time making appearances in sunny California to promote the Miss America Organization, its scholarship program and her platform.

Watch E! News tonight at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Source: MAO

For the seventh consecutive year, the 53 Miss America contestants walked the runway at the Fashion Mall. This year, the contestants were decked out in beautiful designs provided by EXPRESS, who will also be providing on stage designs for the 2012 Miss America Pageant.  The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Miss America Organization Board of Directors' Lynn Hackerman Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971.

A meet and greet session followed the contestants' walk down the clear, Plexiglas, eighty-foot long retractable runway where multimedia screens played. The contestants signed autographs and photos for the public.

Fashion Mall is the largest shopping destination on Las Vegas Boulevard. It is located at 3200 Las Vegas Boulevard or via Mel Torme Way, just off of Industrial Road. Anchors include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Dillard's, Bloomingdale's Home and Nordstrom. Click here to see all of our photos from our EXPRESS Fashion Show.

For tickets to attend the Miss America Competition, call Ticketmaster at 1-877-307-8667 or click here!

Source: Sharon Pearce, Miss America Organization press contact.

Posted Thursday, February 11, 2010

Posted Wednesday, January 05, 2011