A BIG NIGHT AT THE MISS AMERICA PRELIMS

Observations from Row 4 at the Miss America preliminaries Wednesday at Planet Hollywood Resort:

My Top 10 most stunning list would include: Miss California Melissa Chaty, Miss Colorado Maggie Ireland, Miss Kentucky Kaitlynne Postel, Miss Louisiana Amanda Joseph, Miss Maryland Shana Powell, Miss Minnesota Jennifer Hudspeth, Miss Illinois Ashley Hatfield, Miss New Jersey Amy Nicole Polumbo, Miss Rhode Island Ashley Bickford, and Miss Utah Jill Stevens.

Most impressive of the night: The poise of Miss Michigan, 19-year-old Kirsten Haglund, who won swimsuit competition and undoubtedly scored high with her evening gown. From the row behind me, I heard a veteran pageant goer gasp and say, “Now that’s a dress!” This kid is a natural.

The biggest applause of the night went to Miss California and her stunning voice, and Miss Oregon Kari Virding, whose stock soared with her version of the Broadway hit “The Girl in 14G.” I wrote in my notebook: “She’s ready for Broadway.”

Miss Massachussetts Valerie J. Amaral won the talent side Wednesday with her rendition of Martina McBride's "Anyway," a song about persevering, and hanging onto your dreams. She’s a voice and acting teacher at The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts in Middleboro, Mass. "It's going to be like the Super Bowl, and she's our Tom Brady," said Lorna Brunelle, Amaral's coach told the Standard-Times of Massachussets.

During the interview portion, Miss South Carolina Crystal Garrett, while discussing her platform on empowering asthmatic kids, said she was told by her doctor not to expect to live past 21 and that a singing career was out of the question. She turned 21 last summer and her singing helped her win the state title.

Also overcoming considerable adversity, Miss Florida Kylie Williams, who confessed during the reality show “Miss America: Reality Check” that she suffered serious facial burns that left her with self conscious issues.

Miss Colorado Maggie Ireland, the tallest competitor at 5-foot-11, dazzled with her agility while performing an Irish step dance version of “Footloose.”

Trivia timeout: The tallest Miss America contestant was Miss North Carolina 1963 Jeanne Robertson, at 6-foot-2.

And what kind odds could you get, here in the betting capital of the U.S., on this happening: both Miss Nebraska Ashley Bauer and Miss Wyoming are from Scottsbluff, Neb. That factoid comes to me courtesy of Darrell Drullinger, who authors www.missnebraska.org. Jennifer went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, but started out competing in Nebraska, Drullinger emailed me.

Speaking of tough odds: Miss Alaska Cari Leyva, Miss Ohio Roberta J. Camp of Ohio State and Miss North Dakota Ashley Anne Young likely dropped out of contention after shaky interviews Wednesday. Leyva froze during her response, Camp lost her way and Young began her response with perky, “Very good question,” but didn’t have a very good answer.

The seven preliminary judges include Olympic track and field great Jackie Joyner Kersee; Robin Meade, a news anchor for CNN Headline News; and a former Miss Ohio — Trace Ayala — best friend and personal assistant of Justin Timberlake; and, fitness trainer Kit Lyons of “The Biggest Loser.”

Biggest winner so far: It was mentioned during Wednesday’s prelims that Miss America Lauren Nelson’s father had won $4,000 in Sin City.

Pageant goers were still buzzing Wednesday over the rousing baton-twirling performance of Miss Iowa Diana Reed, who won Tuesday’s talent category. Performing last, she wowed ‘em with a high-energy routine to “Can’t Stop the Beat” from “Hairspray.”

Some of the more hilarious introductions (each participant provides a quick sound bite about their state):

“With a record low of 63 below, we’re still the warmest people.” — Miss North Dakota Anne Young.

“From the state where you (buy) anything fried on a stick at the state fair…” — Miss Iowa Diana Reed.

After a lead-in, Miss Washington Elyse Umemote finished with, “How do you like them apples?"

“From the state where mini-vans are considered luxury cars.” — Miss Utah Jill Stevens.

— NORM CLARKE, Vegas Confidential