Miss America 2015: Early winners crowned in swimsuit, talent prelims

Contestants from Maryland and Pennsylvania won preliminary competitions Thursday on the third night of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Miss Maryland Jade Kenny won the swimsuit (or "Lifestyle & Fitness") competition, while Miss Pennsylvania Amanda Smith won the talent portion by singing "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from the musical "Phantom of the Opera."

Thursday's preliminary competition came on the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and numerous tributes to the victims that day and those who responded to it were included in the program.

On Wednesday, in the second night of preliminary competition, Miss Oklahoma Alex Eppler won the swimsuit competition, while Miss Kentucky Ramsey Carpenter won the talent competition with a fiddle performance.

In Tuesday night's preliminary round, Miss Florida Victoria Cowen won the swimsuit competition, while Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart won the talent portion for a ventriloquism routine.

The pageant's traditional "Show us Your Shoes" parade will be held on the Atlantic City Boardwalk Saturday night.

The next Miss America will be crowned during Sunday night's nationally televised finale, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Whoever wins will succeed current crown holder Nina Davuluri of New York.