Vita Venditti left Tuesday for Las Vegas to watch her daughter, Miss Michigan Angela Venditti, participate in the Miss America Pageant.

The proud mother told Fox 2 in an interview that the Shelby Township resident and former Miss St. Clair Shores didn't participate in her first pageant until after high school and is following in her mother's footsteps.

Angela volunteered as a teen at C.A.R.E., where her mother works, which is an organization which helps families affected by substance abuse. Now as Miss Michigan, Venditti's platform is "Above the Influence: Keeping Kids Drug Free."

Venditti said before the main pageant Saturday, which will be broadcast on ABC-TV, her daugther will take part in on-stage question Tuesday, swimsuit and event gown competition Wednesday and talent competition on Thursday.

Supporters can get in on the competition now and cast a vote to make Angela the People's Choice for Miss America. Click on People's Choice for Miss America to watch Venditti's video vote once before voting ends Jan. 10.