The final rounds of competition will be televised Sunday, beginning at 9 p.m., on ABC, which is Time Warner Cable channel 3, locally.
"At the end of the day, even if I don't win, I get to go back and still be Miss Alabama", says Barber.
Contestants take the stage for the swimsuit competition during the second night of preliminary competition in the Miss America pageant on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Atlantic City. But that's how one contestant in this weekend's Miss America pageant is being characterised.
"There's always such a high level of drama and competitiveness during the Miss America Competition that rivals many sporting events that I've covered", stated Steele.
The 2017 Miss America Competition will air live from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on September 11, Sunday, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Miss Delaware Amanda Debus danced contemporary ballet to "Fight Song".
Stephanie Chavez, Miss New Mexico, encouraged parents to take an active role in helping children develop their love for reading.
Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields said people should look closely at what they eat before they consume it.
She said the cause of suicide prevention is personal not only because she identifies as gay, but because she lost a close friend to suicide at age 13. "If you can't read it, don't eat it. See if the food you're eating is made by the sun or made in a lab".
"It pays for those mortgages and vehicle payments so all their attention is on these children who have cancer", she said.
Erin O'Flaherty will make history this Sunday as the first openly LGBTQ Miss America contestant.
Miss District of Columbia, Cierra Jackson, walks onstage during the "lifestyle and fitness" portion of Tuesday's Miss America preliminary.
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