DEREK E. GORDON is Vice President of Education for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where he is responsible for overall planning, management and supervision of the programs and operations of the Education Dept. as well as jazz programming for the Kennedy Center. He is a founding member of the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, Inc. and has received the National Association of Partners in Education and the Reddig Endowment's Award in recognition for his outstanding contributions to education.

HELEN CASH JACKSON is Director of the Special Arts Services Program at the New York State Council on the Arts. Her varied career includes: producer/director of "Festival on the River," a series of Jazz Concerts; the production team of WABC-TV News and Public Affairs Show, "Like It Is"; Executive Director of the Rod Rodgers Dance Company; and Director of Research at the American Society of Composers. She has background in fine arts and fashion design, and has been a cabaret singer, recording artist, book editor and television writer.

CHRISTY LITTLE is General Sessions Court Judge, Division II in Madison County, TN. In addition to her extensive legal experience and service, she has received numerous community awards, and was appointed by Governor Don Sunquist to serve on the Tennessee Commission on children and Youth Committee. She sings with the Fabulous Delacardos, an a cappella 50s group.

MYRON MARTIN is a veteran Miss America judge, and has served as a pageant musical arranger, emcee and performer. He has more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, and holds a degree in both music and business administration. He is the director of the UNLV Performing Arts Center in Las Vegas, where he produces and presents world-class concert events. He previously served as director of the Liberace Foundation for the Arts, and as director of the Baldwin Concert and Artist division in New York City. He is married to a former Miss America top-ten contestant, Dana Rogers Martin.

JEANNE ROBERTSON is a humorist, author and professional speaker. She is past president if the National Speakers Association and was the first woman to win the NSA's top honor, the Cavett Award. A member of the Speakers Hall of Fame, she was also honored by Toastmasters International when it named her the recipient of its 1998 Golden Gavel Award. Speaking professionally since 1963, she averages more than 100 presentations annually. Miss North Carolina 1964, she was named Miss Congeniality in the Miss America Pageant.

TAWNY GODIN WELCH was Miss America 1976. She's a former co-anchor of the UPN 13 nightly news in Los Angles, and now develops feature film and television projects through her production company, Two Friends Productions. She has been well recognized in broadcast news for almost two decades. Her numerous honors include 5 Golden Mike Awards, A UPI award for Best Series, 5 Emmys, the Associated Press title of 1993 Best Anchor in California and Nevada, and the LA Commission on Assault Against Women's Award for Best Documentary.

RICH TAYLOR is Vice President of Walt Disney World Entertainment and Creative Costuming, where he is responsible for leading the team that envisions, creates, develops, produces and operates all new live entertainment for Walt Disney World. Prior to joining Walt Disney World in 1980, he spent ten years with Fred Waring Pennsylvanians as featured baritone soloist, choral singer and conductor. He also served as Assistant Producer/Director and Press and Publicity Director for the Fred Waring Show.

Celebrity Judges 2000

DIEDRICH BADER currently plays the wacky role of Oswald in ABC's "The Drew Carey Show," and has appeared in 20th Century Fox's feature film "Office Space" and "The Beverly Hill Billies." Bader has family ties to the Miss America Organization -- his great grandfather, Edward Bader, served as Mayor of Atlantic City in the 1920s and held shape the Miss America Pageant.

MARCIA BULLARD serves as president, CEO and editor of USA Weekend magazine, the popular Sunday must-read that is the nation's second-largest publication of its type. Under Bullard's leadership, the magazine created and sponsors the nation's largest day of volunteer action, "Make a Difference Day," which involved more than 2 million volunteers last year.

RANDOLPH DUKE, on of the nation's hottest fashion designers, launched his own label in New York City and gained overnight success with the media and leading stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Barney's. Hailed as one of fashion's current style-makers, Duke has designed memorable evening gowns for stars such as Hillary Swank, Minnie Driver and Jane Leeves.

EMME, host of E! Entertainment Television's "Fashion Emergency" program, provides fashion advice for all shapes and sizes. She is also the author of "TRUE BEAUTY -- Positive Attitudes and Practical tips form the World's Leading Plus Size Model," and lectures at high schools and universities around the country about body image and self-esteem. Emme has been selected twice by People magazine as one of the world's"50 Most Beautiful People."

LENNY KRAYZELBURG, a member of the U.S. men's swim team, recently won 3 gold medals at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. His medals in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke and the 4 x 100 relay make Krayzelburg the only U.S. male to win 3 gold medals in this year's Olympics. Swimming since the age of 5, Krayzelburg and his family moved to the United States from the Ukraine in 1989.

SHERYL LEE RALPH, a respected actress, writer and producer, currently plays the role of Dee, the step-mom on UPN's hit series, "Moesha." Ralph's numerous accomplishments include starring a Deena Jones in the landmark musical, "Dreamgirls," and securing long-term roles and cameo appearances on such TV series as "It's a Living," "New Attitude,? George Foreman's series, "George," and "Designing Women."