Seven Finalists announced for the Miss America 2013 Quality of Life Award

At today’s Miss America arrival ceremony, the seven finalists for the Miss America 2013 Quality of Life Award were announced.

Initiated in 1988, the Quality of Life Awards were the first community service-related awards presented to Miss America contestants. Awards are based on platform involvement and community service.

Applicants must excel in their commitment to enhancing quality of life for others through volunteerism and community service. Specific attention is given to depth of service, project creativity and significant effects upon the lives of others.

The seven finalists will be interviewed and next Thursday and the top three will receive scholarships – $6,000 to the winner, and $4,000 and $2,000 scholarships for the first- and second-runner-up, respectively.

The 7 finalists are: Miss Alabama 2012 Anna Laura Bryan (P.A.W.S. for Autism: People and Animals Working Side-by-side), Miss Idaho 2012 Whitney Wood (Handbags of Hope: “Giving Women Confidence They Can Carry”), Miss Maryland 2012 Joanna Guy (Heart to Heart: Raising Awareness for Healthy Hearts), Miss Mississippi 2012 Marie Wicks (eyeS.T.A.R.-Eyesight To All Regions), Miss Tennessee 2012 Chandler Lawson (Feed Hope: Fight Child Hunger), and Miss Washington 2012 Mandy Schendel (Do Something: Enriching Youth, Cultivating Leaders); Miss Delaware 2012 Alyssa Murray (Mela-No-More: Skin Cancer Advocacy and Awareness).