LAS VEGAS _ "Born to Win.''
East Meredith native Elisabeth Baldanza, Miss New York, was in this category of Miss America contestants to be presented Tuesday night in the first of three preliminaries this week to determine the next crown-bearer.
The group, so-named because its members are from states with the most Miss America winners, was the first to be introduced during the rehearsal at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
But as the group members, wearing designating dark-blue shirts with jeans, lined up to await introductions of the other competitors, the announcer said that past results aren't a guarantee of future winning.
During preliminary competitions Tuesday through Thursday, Miss America contestants will compete in one of three categories _ talent, interview questions and evening gown and swimsuit.
Fran Baldanza said her daughter is ready for this week's challenges. Elisabeth, 24, practiced her dance twice on stage in rehearsals Tuesday, her mother said, after which, as her designated watcher, they were allowed to talk for 10 minutes. They discussed whether the stage was slippery and which earrings to wear, she said.
"I thought she did very well.'' She said. "Her talent is very strong,'' But there also are other contestants with strong talent, she said.
Elisabeth has worked on the dance and other preparations since regional and state competitions last year, her mother said. The contemporary ballet is about an unwed mother who buries her child after it is born out of wedlock. "It's very dramatic,'' she said.
Elisabeth's costume is red velvet, and she wears soft leather jazz shoes. The music is "Your Daddy's Son'' from the musical "Ragtime'' and Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998 and a Broadway actress, recorded it for Elisabeth's performance, Fran Baldanza said.
The contestants are closely chaperoned throughout the week. She said she spent an hour with Elisabeth on Monday night, and their shopping trip inside the Miracle Mile Mall adjacent to the resort seemed to provide some stress relief. Elisabeth bought a black satin evening suit.
'She seemed cheerful and glad to be going out,'' Fran Baldanza said.
Earlier Monday, Elisabeth had been interviewed for nine minutes. Each of the seven judges was allowed to ask at least one question, Baldanza said. The questions can be on any topic, as can the questions during the stage contest in the preliminaries.
Elisabeth Baldanza will answer an on-stage question tonight and compete in the gown and swimsuit contest Thursday night. No contests are scheduled for Friday. Sixteen finalists will be selected, and the finale Saturday will be telecast at 8 p.m. on the Learning Channel, available on channel 58 in the Oneonta area.
More than $340,000 in scholarships are available to winners of various contests.
