Katie Stam Wins Miss America 2009 | Katie Stam Photos

UPDATE: Caressa Cameron wins Miss America 2010

Miss America 2009 was crowned on Saturday night in Atlantic City. Miss Indiana Katie Stam Wins Miss America 2009. Katie is fighting off a throat infection, laryngitis and 51 other contestants in that night to win the 88-year-old pageant. She is a communications major at the University of Indianapolis and wants one day to be a TV reporter.

The 22-year-old University of Indianapolis student drew loud applause for her rendition of “Via Dolorosa” during the talent portion of the pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

“That beauty that you feel on the inside, it’s that confidence, that radiance inside of you, that’s what glamour is,” Stam said.

Katie Stam beat out (Top 5) Miss Georgia – Chasity Hardman, Miss Iowa – Olivia Myers, Miss New York – Leigh Taylor Smith and Miss Florida – Sierra Minott to become the new Miss America. She was crowned by Kirsten Haglund who was Miss America for 2008.

Stam won a $50,000 scholarship and hopes to obtain a bachelor’s degree in communications and become a television news anchor. The first runner-up was Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman, who took home a $25,000 scholarship.

Miss America 2009 Winner:

• Miss Indiana – Katie Stam

Top 5

• Miss Indiana – Katie Stam
• Miss Georgia – Chasity Hardman
• Miss Iowa – Olivia Myers
• Miss New York – Leigh Taylor Smith
• Miss Florida – Sierra Minott

Top 7 (In random order)

• Miss New York – Leigh Taylor Smith
• Miss California – Jackie Geist
• Miss Georgia – Chasity Hardman
• Miss Tennessee – Ellen Carrington
• Miss Indiana – Katie Stam
• Miss Iowa – Olivia Myers
• Miss Florida – Sierra Minott

Congratulations Miss America 2009 Katie Stam (Photos below)

More photos here.