Atlantic City, NJ - 22 August 1997 (revised 9 September 1997) - The seven men and women responsible for selecting the Top Ten Semi-Finalists at this year's Miss America Pageant have been announced. The Preliminary Panel of Judges conducts the private judges' interviews with all 51 state representatives during the week preceding the ABC Miss America Pageant telecast. They also judge preliminary performances in Talent, Swimsuit and Evening Wear Competitions. Their scores determine which contestants will be named as the ten semi-finalists and compete live on ABC during the Miss America Pageant.

The Preliminary Panel of Judges is comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable and have proven reputations in the arts, business and/or community service. This year's panel will include the following individuals:

Dwight Jordan is co-founder and co-director of Showchoir Camps of America, Inc., a national summer workshop for young singers/dancers and directors. He also completes stage productions for major American theme parks. A music education graduate of Millikin University, he has gone on to receive national awards for musical and artistic excellence.

Vicki Gold Levi maintains a successful career as a cultural historian and author in New York, but her heart still belongs to Atlantic City. A native, she had her own radio talk show in Atlantic City by the age of five, and at age six, served as page to Miss America 1945, Bess Myerson. A consultant for many Atlantic City movies and media history exhibits, she also co-wrote Atlantic City.- 125 Years of Ocean Madness.

Heather Hertling, Miss New Jersey 1992, has appeared frequently as guest soloist with the New Jersey Pops. She has an extensive background in musical theatre. A graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor in vocal performance, she recently returned from studying voice in Hamburg, Germany.

Matt Rolling produces, performs and arranges for some of the finest talents in the music industry. He is a five-time nominee for Musician of the Year for the Country Music Association, and he has received the Academy of Country Music's Keyboardist of the Year award seven times.

Andy Taylor is a professional singer whose experience covers television, the symphony stage, recording and musical theatre. She sang the closing theme for the Sullivan Awards with Bryant Gumbel and was featured in the openings of The NFL Quarterback Challenge on network television and ABC's Television Hall of Fame.

Nancy Meyer is a television, film and Broadway actress with an outstanding voice as well. Television credits include Shannon's Deal on NBC, Days and Nights of Molly Dodd on Lifetime and The Guiding Light and All My Children daytime dramas. On Broadway as well as HBO, she played Mrs. Claus for the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Marcia Bullard is President, Chief Executive Officer and Editor of USA WEEKEND, the nation's 3rd largest publication. Under her direction, the magazine created "Make A Difference Day", which inspired more than one million Americans to make improvements in their communities. She is a founding Editor of USA Today and sits on the Board of Directors of the Associated Press Managing Editors. Her volunteer work includes tutoring elementary school children and speaking about First Amendment issues to high schoolers.

JUDGES HAVE BEEN NAMED FOR THIS YEAR'S MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, WHICH WILL AIR SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, ON ABC

Atlantic City, NJ - August 16 revised 9 September 1997 - Actress and supermodel Angie Everhart, high-profile defense attorney Gerry Spence, and "Entertainment Tonight" co-anchor Julie Moran have been named as three of the seven judges for this year's Miss America Pageant. The live telecast of the 77th Annual Miss America Pageant will air SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 (9:00-11:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

This year's judges also will include (in alphabetical order): Banana Republic CEO Jeanne Jackson, choreographer and director Kenny Ortega, and former Miss America and broadcast journalist Debbye Turner. A seventh judge will be named shortly. The judges will vote on the qualifications of this year's top ten semi-finalists and will be responsible for choosing Miss America from the top five finalists.

The judges, who bring a wide variety of experience to this year's panel, include:

Angie Everhart, actress and supermodel, starred in three major feature films this year, including "Tales From the Crypt Presents," "Mad Dog Time" and "Another 9 1/2 Weeks," with Mickey Rourke. In 1995, she starred in the provocative thriller, "Jade." Along with her active big-screen career, Everhart is the spokesperson for L'Eggs Pantyhose. Her legs are insured for $1 million by Lloyd's of London.

Jeanne Jackson, who joined Banana Republic as its new president in 1995, was promoted to CEO this past February. Prior to joining the retail giant, Jackson was an executive vice president and general merchandise manager at Victoria's Secret. Jackson, who also held senior vice president positions with Walt Disney Attractions and Saks Fifth Avenue, received her MBA from Harvard University.

Julie Moran is the weekend co-anchor for "Entertainment Tonight." A former America's Junior Miss, Moran, one of the most versatile commentators in sports television, was the first female host in the 34-year history of the Emmy Award-winning "ABC's Wide World of Sports."

Stephen Nichols portrays Stefan Cassadine on ABC's Emmy Award-winning daytime drama, "General Hospital." Nichols joined the cast of "General Hospital" in July, 1996. He received an Emmy nomination for his role on the serial, "Days of Our Lives," and had recurring roles on the series, "Empty Nest" and "Second Chances." He will soon be seen in three feature films: "Good Vibrations," with Michael York and Beverly D'Angelo; "The Glass Cage," with Eric Roberts; and "Phoenix," with Brad Dourif, all due to be released later this year.

Kenny Ortega has been involved in some of the most memorable film choreography of the last few decades. His motion picture production credits include "Dirty Dancing," "St. Elmo's Fire," "Pretty in Pink," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Bette Midler's first feature film, "The Rose," and the film "Xanadu," which Ortega co-choreographed with the legendary Gene Kelly. Ortega also has choreographed many awards telecasts, including "The Academy Awards" and "The American Music Awards," both airing on ABC Television, and "The NAACP Image Awards."

Gerry Spence is nationally renowned for his courtroom victories involving the estate of Karen Silkwood and the defense of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos. He has written seven books and was the host of CNBC's "The Gerry Spence Show," which covered legal and social issues affecting Americans.

Debbye Turner, Miss America 1990, has spoken to more than 200,000 students about personal excellence and the importance of education. With a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine, Turner currently divides her time between motivational speaking and professional endeavors in the field of veterinary science. She is currently the host of "The Gentle Doctor," a PBS series focusing on pets and veterinary medicine; and co-host of a local television magazine program, "Show Me St. Louis."