The View Hosts Announce the Panel of National Judges for the 2011 Miss America Pageant Presented by DSW

LINWOOD, N.J., Dec. 8, 2010 -- The 2011 Miss America Pageant presented by DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse promises to be an exciting event with the announcement of the strikingly diverse panel of national judges. Daytime Emmy Award-winning hosts of "The View" - Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd revealed the diverse panel of national judges for the 2011 Miss America Pageant on this morning's show. This year's panel of seven esteemed judges includes an accomplished talk show host and comedienne; a Miss America turned veterinarian, broadcaster and philanthropist; an executive producer of one of the hottest shows on TV; an award-winning dancer and choreographer; a beloved actress, Golden Globe Nominee and health advocate; an orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer; and a multi-platinum selling country music artist. They will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC.

This year's panel of judges is comprised of experts in each of the fields that a young woman must excel in, in order to be named Miss America. Miss America must be talented, intelligent and well-spoken, a leader, have a commitment to her community, be contemporary in her style and fashion - a relatable and individual 'it girl' who can connect with today's modern woman, as well as being physically fit. To determine who will be Miss America 2011 the following panel of judges has been selected:

From the Field of Interview - Joy Behar

From the Field of Community Service/Instrumental Talent - Miss America 1990 Dr. Debbye Turner Bell

From the Field of Star Power - Marc Cherry

From the Field of Fitness/Dance - Tony Dovolani

From the Field of Health and Beauty - Marilu Henner

From the Field of Fashion - Taryn Rose

From the Field of Vocal Talent - Mark Wills

ABOUT THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.