Miss America 2009 Contestants - Page 1

On January 24, 2009, the Miss America 2009 Beauty Contest will takes place at Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The reigning Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund of Farmington Hills, Michigan will crown her successor. The Pageant will be broadcasted live on TLC from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and hosted by Mario Lopez.

All 51 delegates will compete in an interview competition with the judges, based on their platform issue, and also in the swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions.

Prior to the televised competition, the delegates will participate in three nights of preliminary competition, where the preliminary awards will be given to the winners in each category.

During the final telecast, following the announcement of the semi-finalists, the top ten compete in swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Then, the top five go on to compete in the talent competition, and the top three face a final interview round.

Meet the 51 Official Candidates:

Miss Alabama Hometown: Birmingham Amanda Tapley, 20 Talent: Piano	Miss Alaska Hometown: Anchorage Stephany Jeffers, 23 Talent: Vocal
Miss Arizona Hometown: Sierra Vista Erin Nurss, 23 Talent: Dance	Miss Arkansas Hometown: Newark Ashlen Batson,21 Talent: Flute
Miss California Vacaville Jackie Giest,22 Talent: Ballet (1st runner up Miss California Teen USA 2002, 3rd runner up Miss Teenage California 2004, Miss Teen of the Nation 2004, Miss Teen Paradise Valley 2000, Miss Teen Vacaville 2002, Miss Vaca Valley 2006)	Miss Colorado Hometown: Arvada Jamie Dukehart-Conti, 23 Talent: Jazz Dance (Broncos Cheerleader)
Miss Connecticut Hometown: Hamden Ashley Glenn, 23 Talent: Lyrical Dance	Miss Delaware Hometown: Wyoming Galen Giaccone, 20 Talent: Piano (Miss Delaware Junior 2006)
Miss District of Columbia Hometown: Washington, D.C. Kate Grinold, 22 Talent: Ballet	Miss Florida Hometown: Fort Myers Sierra Minott, 20 Talent: Jazz Dance (Miss Florida Outstanding Teen 2005)
Miss Georgia Hometown: Columbus Chastity Hardman, 24 Talent: Vocal (Second African-American to represent the state in the Miss America Pageant after Sherri Hill Model)	Miss Hawaii Hometown: Honolulu Nicole Fox, 23 Talent: Tahitian Otea
Miss Idaho Hometown: Idaho Falls Elise Davis, 20 Talent: Vocal	Miss Illinios Hometown: Chicago Katie Lorenz, 24 Talent: Lyrical Dance
Miss Indiana Hometown: Seymour Katie R. Stam, 22 Talent: Vocal	Miss Iowa Hometown: Sperry Olivia Myers, 22 Talent: Tap Dance
Miss Kansas Hometown: Augusta Emily Deaver, 19 Talent: Vocal or Piano

Official Candidates:   Page 2   Page 3
Preliminary Awards:   January 20   January 21   January 22
Winners:   Top 15   Top 12   Top 10   Top 7   Crowning