[Cheerio]

Online-listed Preliminary Winners:

Talent: New York--Arkansas--Utah

Fitness: Florida--Tennesee--Colorado

Evening Wear: Illinois--Maryland--District of Colombia

The 7 Quality of Life Award Finalists (for 3 awards announced tonight): Rhode Island--Alabama--Michigan--South Carolina--New York--Mississippi--Florida.

I miss being able to pre-order an official Miss America Program Book. For a month before the Pageant, our family and friends would pass around the booklet and chose our favorites. Then while viewing the show, my mom looked for poised contestants and often picked the winner.

I've noticed many contestants this year list their age somewhere at 25-28, likely due to the recent rise in the age limit for the contest.

The states of Texas, Ohio, Mississippi and California haven't won the contest in many years.

From reading online contestant bios, I note at least two women who started as immigrants to the U.S. and two other women listing they're foster children.

Using limited internet information, I'll guess the following states may make the finals: Maryland...Mississippi...California.....North Carolina...Wisconsin.

I hope the contest is looking to once again attract the attention of a national tv channel and large, national sponsors. I'd love watching it on regular tv again!