Preliminary competition for Miss Kentucky 2012 begins today in Lexington.
31 women are competing for the job this year at the Singletary Center for the Arts on UK’s Campus.
“I’m just really excited for these girls,” Ann-Blair Thornton, Miss Kentucky says about the feeling of passing on the title. “I’m excited there's one other young lady who will get to share the same experience that I did.”
At Miss America 2012, Thornton won the Quality of Life Award, which is based on her community service and personal platform, “Alzheimer’s Awareness and Research.”
“It wasn't an award for me. It wasn't in celebration of the work that I've done…,” she comments. “But a celebration of the 80,000 Kentuckians who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's or are battling Alzheimer's currently.”
Miss Kentucky contestants interviewed for the State Quality of Life Award this morning. Brooke Powell, Miss Belle of Louisville, who is from Winchester, was announced as the winner.
Powell said community service is a big part of the Miss America Program.
“To me that's what sets the Miss America Program apart…,” Powell says. “And community service is such a big deal. It’s not only community service, but something that's very passionate and close to us.”
The Quality of Life Award doesn’t count into the judging scores for Miss Kentucky. Instead, the winner decided from five areas of competition: interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and on-stage question.
For tickets and more information about the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Program, visit their website at: http://www.misskentuckypageant.com
