WEST PALM BEACH — Glitz and glamour lit up the stage at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, Sept. 2, as the 2007 Miss America pageant hosted its first of two preliminary competitions before the final crowning on Sunday.
Family, friends and fans filled the seats of the fog-filled theater, and the excitement was palpable. Some sported buttons with faces of the delegates, others had cutouts of their faces and a few even brought light up letters to cheer on their girl from the audience.
The night, which was themed around the country's 250th birthday, was hosted by Cassie Donegan, the current reigning Miss America, and Tess Ferm, Miss America's Teen. Alongside the patriotism, it seemed extravagance was also on theme as the show
featured choreographed dance routines throughout the evening and bedazzled workout gear during the fitness segment.
The night's competition revolved around three sections: fitness, questions on the delegate's community service initiatives and the evening gown portion. That was the crown jewel of the night as the women were able to show off their stunning looks, each of them looking runway ready.
The stage was decked out in an array of red, white and blue lights. There was a staircase like a podium with three different tiers to allow for all the women to stand on stage. Last but not least, a towering screen served as the backdrop for the different portions of the night. During fitness, clips of the girls exercising played; during evening gown professional headshots were shown off.
"This role is truly a once-in-a-lifetime honor. I mean, confidence, composure and a heart for service are the best here at Miss America, and that's why our scoring system honors women who are well-rounded, resilient and ready to lead," said Donegan.
During the question portion, the delegates were given the chance to shine a light on their community service initiatives which covered topics involving suicide awareness, mental health, CPR training, dentistry and sexual and domestic violence.
For Miss Florida, Alexandra De Roos, she's taken a traumatic experience and turned it into triumphant service. The University of South Florida student from Winter Haven suffered a brain injury herself and has now worked to create curriculum for all levels of schools to further the education and understanding of the injury.
"I have partnered with the University of Florida's brain center to bring brain education curriculums to students all across the state of Florida. I have an elementary school curriculum, middle school curriculum, a high school curriculum and a college curriculum," she said.
"I'm also the youngest member of the Brain Injury Association of America Speakers Bureau, where I've delivered presentations nationally."
The night ended with three winners being chosen for both the fitness and evening gown categories. Each women was awarded $3,000 in scholarship money.
The Sept. 3 competition will see all 104 Miss America and Miss America's Teen delegates shine in the spotlight during the talent portion, which will feature everything under the sun including contemporary ballet, karate demonstrations to vocals filling the room.
Top three winners of the Rebel Athletic fitness award
- Miss New Jersey, Kylie Gene Wright.
- Miss District of Columbia, Evelyn Smith.
- Miss Texas, Regan Hutsell.
Top three winners of the Portia & Scarlett evening gown award
- Miss Louisiana, Shelby Bordelon.
- Miss Iowa, McKenzie Kerry.
- Miss Mississippi, Jane Granberry.
This week's Miss America pageant calendar in West Palm Beach
- Friday, Sept. 4: Pre-Gala Red Carpet, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 5: Miss America's Teen Final, Kravis Center, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: Miss America Final, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 7 p.m.
Arianna Otero covers breaking news for The Palm Beach Post. Contact her via email at AOtero@pbpost.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miss America in West Palm. Delegates dazzle in first competition
