AMERICA'S VOTE COUNTS ON ABC FAMILY'S NEW REALITY SERIES "AMERICA'S PROM QUEEN" SET TO PREMIERE MONDAY, MARCH 17

Hosted by Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo and Prom Committee Members Brooke Hogan, Jai Rodriguez, Theo Von and CosmoGIRL's Editor In Chief Susan Schulz

Guest Judges Include Musical Artist Sean Kingston, Actress Spencer Grammer and DJ Stryker

(Burbank, CA � February 20, 2008) During this important election year, ABC Family is giving America another opportunity to cast a ballot � the chance to vote for their own Prom Queen -- with the all new reality series "America's Prom Queen", set to premiere Monday, March 17 (9:00 � 10:00 p.m. ET/PT). The six one-hour episodes will send ten lucky girls on an exciting journey in hopes of becoming "America's Prom Queen."

The show will be hosted by Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo, who will also serve as a mentor and guide for the girls. Initially, the girls' fate will be held in the hands of the Prom Committee but eventually turned over to America's vote. The Prom Committee members include CosmoGIRL's Editor in Chief Susan Schulz, style and cultural expert Jai Rodriquez ("Ultimate Style," "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy"), pop star Brooke Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and comic and reality television star Theo Von ("Last Comic Standing," "Road Rules"). Guest judges will include musical artist Sean Kingston, actress Spencer Grammer ("Greek") and from "The Ellen Degeneres Show" DJ Styrker. ("Loveline")

Throughout the episodes, the Prom Committee will watch as ten girls compete to earn the title of "America's Prom Queen." The girls will participate in challenges that test their prom know-how � from sense of style, ability to dance, prom spirit to planning skills. Each week, the Prom Committee will narrow down the competition to a final Prom Court of contestants. Then, after the fifth episode, the final decision will be turned over to America to cast their vote for the girl they believe most deserves to become "America's Prom Queen." Viewers will be able cast their vote via text messaging or online at www.abcfamily.com

The contestants include:

Amanda � Peabody, MA

Amanda is the "good girl," who would prefer to stay home with her family on a Friday night rather than go out partying. After coming in as runner up to a prom queen who was not a very good role model, she believes winning this competition could be her second chance to lead by example. Her desire to be a positive role model has been strengthened by the recent loss of her brother.

Ashley � North Andover, MA

With a spunky, confident attitude, Ashley isn't afraid to go after what she wants. Comfortable in her own skin, she's been known to be the silly girl and has perfected random talents such as barking like a dog. She's the girl who loves to play dress up imitating princesses, prom queens and beauty queens, but dress up time is over! Ashley is ready to step into the shoes of a real prom queen.

Carmen � Cleveland, TN

With an infectious smile and personality, Carmen has won many hearts and now has her hopes set on winning a crown. Despite her extraordinary singing talent, she has always felt like a weed and not a flower and now Carmen wants to show America that you don't have to look like a supermodel to be a prom queen!

Katelyn � Yorba Linda, CA

Katelyn is the bubbly, blonde, all American girl next door who is extremely involved in school activities and always willing to help others. As a member of the Association of Student Body, she is always working behind the scenes of the homecoming and prom events, but now, Katelyn feels it is time to come out from behind the scenes to shine in the limelight and become a prom queen herself.

Kendra � Mapleville, RI

A competitor at heart, Kendra is an all-state soccer champ and competes in fitness contests. She isn't afraid to get her hands dirty to secure a win and lives her life on the edge. Since her high school did not hold a prom, one competition Kendra was unable to enter was the running for prom queen, but now she wants another "W" under her belt.

Lashell � Burbank, CA

With a fantastic smile, Lashell is always the center of attention whether she's rapping, being a drama queen or a troublemaker. She fell short in her aspirations of becoming the first African-American prom queen at her high school but believes this competition is a second chance and would be challenging in more ways than one.

Macy � Hixson, TN

Former Miss Tennessee Teen USA, Macy is the quintessential pageant girl. Based on her good looks, people automatically assume she is stuck up and unapproachable but in reality she is just a sweet girly girl who would rather play make-up than sports. Unfortunately, the one title that has eluded her is prom queen because at her high school the popular vote for Prom Queen was dominated by the athletic girls.

Niah � Arlington, MA

Athletic and feminine, Niah loves to pave the way with her unique fashion style. She is friendly and sweet to all, except those who cross her � whom she then places them on her so-called "list." And you do not want to be on her list. Having moved around a lot, she never got the chance to fit in anywhere and wasn't able to run for prom queen. But, she still thinks she is royalty and Niah believes winning this competition will prove it.

Samantha � Costa Mesa, CA

Samantha is the very sweet natured blonde who loves to have fun whereever she goes. However, being a self-proclaimed "brat," with a demanding outspoken personality often leads her to trouble. Due to a car accident, she missed prom after being home-schooled during her final two years of high school and now she's searching for a way to experience all things missed.

Torree � Anaheim, CA

Winner of several pageants since she was just a baby, Torree found herself faced with being named the runner-up for prom queen during high school. She was also on the homecoming court every year but was never queen. Feeling cheated out of her title, Torree has not given up and is ready to fight for another chance to finally have her crowning moment as a prom queen.

Patty Ivins and Julie Pizzi have executive produced "Miss America Reality Check," NBC's "Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search," Showtime's "Reversal of Fortune" and two seasons of Style's hit show "Dress My Nest." Together Ivins and Pizzi also co-executive produced Fox's "The Simple Life Reunion." In addition to reality television, both Ivins and Pizzi have produced many hours of documentary programming for Showtime, A&E, AMC, CMT, TLC, and Discovery. In 2003, Ivins won a daytime Emmy for AMC's "Hollywood Rocks The Movies: The 1970's with David Bowie." In 2000, Pizzi was nominated for an Emmy for MTV's "Road Rule IX."

Part of the Disney-ABC-TV Group, ABC Family, distributed in over 95 million homes, features original movies, series and specials reflecting today's families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of quality acquired series and theatricals as well as original movies and scripted dramas. ABC Family is also the destination for Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas" branded programming events. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.