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The big night

Miss Illinois says she's ready for pageant after week of preliminaries

By Brent Stewart, The Southern

Friday, January 25, 2008 11:15 PM CST

LAS VEGAS - Miss Illinois Ashley Hatfield looked fresh and energetic Friday afternoon, even if she wished she could take a nap.

"This is a marathon and definitely not a sprint," she said.

For the last nine days, the Anna native has been on the move; in rehearsals, press events and in preliminary competition at the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.

Hatfield said the 52 contestants have been working so hard that some of them are sleeping in the aisles of the theater when it is not their turn to rehearse.

"It's exhausting," she said. "It's very different to look up at the screen and know you're going to be on television; to learn your camera shots. There's so much more that goes into it than what people think."

Hatfield competed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in each of the preliminary judging categories that will determine the final 15 contestants for the "Miss America Live" television broadcast tonight.

A 16th contestant will be voted in by the viewing audience on the "Miss America Reality Check" Web site.

Though she spent so much time rehearsing for the televised finale, Hatfield said that helped in the difficult preliminary competition.

"I felt like it was another practice because we had done it so many times," she said.

Hatfield is confident in her performance the last few nights leading up to tonight's pageant, despite the caliber of talent among the contestants.

"I'm competing with some of the best of the best, in my opinion," she said. "I feel good; I feel prepared. There are so many people who are prepared and could be in the top 16. It'll be interesting to see who makes it.

"I'm not sure what the judges are looking for," she said. "It's just best at this point to ignore every thing everybody says and just do what I know to do."

Despite her hectic schedule, Hatfield has already made many memories.

She enjoyed walking the red carpet at the premiere of "Rambo" Thursday night, although she regrets that as a big "Rocky" fan, she didn't get to meet Sylvester Stallone.

Another fun activity was a gondola ride earlier in the week with the other Miss America contestants at the Venetian.

"It's just nice to go out with the girls and be social," she said. "Everybody gets dressed up, and we go out and just have fun," she said.

In a city known for high stakes, Hatfield thinks she has a pretty good chance to become the next Miss America. But she's happy just to have made it to this point.

"I'm excited of what happens, regardless," she said. "Yes, you have to be prepared, but there's an element of luck there too."

brent.stewart@thesouthern.com / 351-5074