2010 MISS AMERICA QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

AT ANNUAL ARRIVAL CEREMONY

Winners to be Announced at January 28 Press Conference

This year's Quality of Life finalists were announced today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2010 Miss America Pageant Arrival Ceremony. The Arrival Ceremony was the first time the Las Vegas community was able to see all the Miss America hopefuls and welcome them to the city. On hand to announce the finalists were Marilyn Winn, President, Bally's Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino; Bill Feather, President, Planet Hollywood Worldwide Resorts; Rossi Ralenkotter, President and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization and Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board of the Miss America Organization.

The ten finalists and their personal platform issues are: 

Miss Alabama Liz Cochran - With Every Beat: The Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Miss Iowa Anne Michael Langguth - "Good For You!" - Promoting Community Service, Wellness and Engagement in the Sciences

Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin - Autism Awareness

Miss Minnesota Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff - Music: The Building Blocks of Education

Miss Missouri Tara Osseck - Education and Prevention of Eating Disorders

Miss Montana Brittany Marie Wiser - Suicide Prevention Education

Miss Nevada Christina Keegan - Rape Education & Recovery

Miss New Hampshire Lindsey Graham - Speaking Out for Mental Illness

Miss Oklahoma Taylor Treat - Engaging Students Through Service Learning

Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler - Ronald McDonald House and Children's Miracle Network Charities

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 29 during the 10:30 a.m. (PST) press conference.

As the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women and one of the nation's leading achievement programs, the Miss America Organization last year made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.  The Miss America Organization provides young women with a vehicle to further their personal and professional goals and instills a spirit of community service through a variety of nationwide community-based programs.

Additional information about the Miss America Organization can be found at www.MissAmerica.org.

Tune in to TLC January 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT tape delayed, to watch the 2010 Miss America Pageant, broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas!

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