Las Vegas, Nevada   January 23, 2008   Miss Massachusetts Valerie J. Amaral was named Wednesday night s preliminary Talent winner for her Vocal performance  Anyway,  during the second night of competition in 2008 Miss America Live! at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  Valerie will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Also in the spotlight was Miss Michigan, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a black Winnwear swimsuit with gold trim and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Be sure to tune in to the final episode of Miss America: Reality Check on Friday, January 25 at 10:00pm on TLC.  And watch live as a new Miss America is crowned on 2008 Miss America Live! airing on TLC, Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. Central.  Miss America Live! will be tape delayed to air at 8 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. Mountain.

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.

For up-to-the-minute competition news and information, as well as downloadable high-resolution images of Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson and the 2008 contestants, visit the 24-hour online pressroom at www.MissAmericaPressRoom.com.

To download photos of tonight's preliminary winners, go to www.missamerica.org.  Photos will be available for download, starting at 9:00am ET the morning following the preliminary competition.

PRESS CONTACT
Sharon Pearce
Miss America Organization
(609) 653-8700 x117
sharon@missamerica.org