WKU student Ann-Blair Thornton, the reigning Miss Kentucky, will take to the stage in Las Vegas Saturday night as she competes for the title of Miss America against 52 other contestants.

Thornton, a Bowling Green native, is already off to a strong start, taking first place in the Quality of Life Award for her platform, “Alzheimer’s Awareness and Research.” The award comes with a $6,000 scholarship.

According to a Miss America press release, the Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in community service.

Thornton was named Miss Kentucky last summer on July 16 at the Singletary Center for Arts in Lexington. Thornton was the first runner-up in the 2010 Miss Kentucky pageant and Miss Kentucky Teen in 2007.

While at WKU, Thornton joined Chi Omega and the Student Government Association, where she served as secretary of student senate and public relations chair.

Thornton told the Herald in September that after her reign as Miss Kentucky, she wants to finish her last year at WKU and go to law school.

The Miss America pageant will be broadcast live on Saturday at 8 p.m. CST on ABC.