LAS VEGAS _ Thursday night was the final preliminary contest in the Miss America pageant, and it was Elisabeth Baldanza's turn as Miss New York to compete in the evening gown and swimsuit competition.
All 52 contestants wear black swimsuits and choose a two-piece or one-piece suit, with or without colored trim. The same night, contestants model evening dresses, and the gowns mostly have been black or bold, solid colors, and many with trains that flow with the model's movement across the stage.
Baldanza, 24, of East Meredith, competed Tuesday and Wednesday in preliminaries involving talent and answering an on-stage question. Results, which aren't released, are part of a total that determines 16 finalists.
The events are being held in the theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
Baldanza said her gown is a black, floor-length dress with some rhinestones in the front and a train in the back.
The gown competition is to assess a contestant's poise and grace, said Janet Murphy, executive director of the Miss Empire Rose pageant. The category is not about the dress but about how it is worn, she said, and Baldanza will do well in Thursday's contest.
"The gown suits her beautifully because it's simple and elegant,'' Murphy said. "She's beautiful. She looks like Audrey Hepburn in it.''
She said the 16 Miss America finalists will be announced during Saturday's finale. Baldanza won the regional Miss Empire Rose competition and the state event to qualify for the national contest.
The Miss America Live! pageant will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on The Learning Channel, which is channel 58 in the Oneonta area.
Before the preliminary competition Thursday, Murphy and Baldanza's parents were among hundreds of people trying to catch a glimpse of Miss America contestants as they walked a red carpet as a part of the opening at Planet Hollywood of Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo.''
Al Baldanza, Elisabeth's father, said he will be watching his daughter Thursday night and thinking, "My beautiful girl, all grown up.''
He said she has the talent, beauty and clothing to win, and his pride in her accomplishment won't cease, "win, lose or draw.
"Most of all," he said, "she has a winning way about her.''
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