There She Is, Miss America

January 25, 2009

Despite fighting off laryngitis, Katie Stam, 22, a communications major at the University of Indianapolis, was crowned Miss America 2009 last night at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

52 young women took to the stage in blue jeans, bikinis and ballgowns following a mini-reality series on pageant prep work and a week of preliminary competition to try for the crown.

The Reigning Miss America, Kirsten Haglund of Michigan, was there to crowned Stam, who takes home the new title and a $50,000 scholarship.

Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman was the first runner-up and took home a $25,000 scholarship.