University of Indianapolis Student Wins Miss America 2009

On an evening when she was suffering from a throat infection and laryngitis, and after years of preparation and several nights of competition, Katie Stam, a University of Indianapolis student, won the Miss America 2009 crown. Stam, who wanted to win the well-known pageant from an early age, didn’t follow the path of many serial pageant-goers, however, instead waiting until she was an adult to begin competing. She admitted that as a child she didn’t fully understand what being "Miss America" really meant. Noted Stam, "I literally saw this girl who’s living out her wildest dream. As soon as I found out the job description of Miss America, it only attracted me further."

Stam will begin a whirlwind community service tour after spiriting away to New York for interviews. Said Stam, "It starts right away. Miss America – being the goodwill ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network – that job, that position was laid in my hands the moment they put the crown on my head. I can’t wait to get started."

In the 88-year history of the Miss America pageant, Stam is the first "Miss Indiana" to have won. Said Stam, "My state deserves it." In addition to the crown, Stam won a $50,000 scholarship and has noted that her long-term plans include working toward becoming a TV news anchor after her one-year reign as Miss America ends. Stam, is just one semester away from graduating with a degree in communications, will have to hold off on her degree for a time because of her new workload, but intends to do that prior to entering the workplace.