Miss America: Miles of smiles

Miss New Hampshire Samantha Russo, left, and Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick pose for photographers after winning the first night of preliminary competition in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Russo won the talent competition while Rick won the swimsuit competition. (AP)

Miss Virginia, Desiree Williams, speaks during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Miss New Jersey, Cara McCollum, waves during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Miss West Virginia, Miranda Harrison, speaks during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Miss Utah, Ciera Pekarcik, waves during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Miss Texas, Ivana Hall, waves during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Miss South Carolina, Brooke Mosteller, waves during the preliminary competition of the Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J. The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Contestants dance on the runway during the opening number of the preliminary competition of the 2014 Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J.  The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)

Contestants dance on the runway during the opening number of the preliminary competition of the 2014 Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J.  The preliminary competitions began Tuesday, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence. (AP)




In this Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, photograph, Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, front row, second from left, stands with other Miss America contestants during arrival ceremonies in Atlantic City, N.J. Kelly was born without part of her left forearm and says she has never let her disability get in the way of doing what she wanted. (AP)

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