Miss America Katie Stam: Faith Before Beauty

In January, Miss Indiana Katie Stam was crowned Miss America 2009. She competed against 51 other contestants to win the 88-year-old pageant.

Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. Along with the title of Miss America 2009, Katie won a $50,000 scholarship to continue her education.

Prior to becoming Miss America, Katie was a student at the University of Indianapolis. Her goal is to pursue a degree in communication and ultimately become a television news anchor. She says the experience that she has gained while serving as Miss America will be invaluable.

Over the next year, Katie will travel approximately 20,000 miles each month (changing her location every 18 36 hours) and speak to audiences about her Platform of Service; Promoting Community Service and Involvement and acting as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Childrens Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for childrens hospitals. Working with this organization has taught me to be more positive, says Katie.

In a new twist, viewers of a lead-in reality show, Miss America: Countdown to the Crown voted in four of the 15 finalists, while the judges announced the other 11 during a live television broadcast. Katie was one of the four finalists chosen by the viewers.

Katie says she is ecstatic about the new direction for the Miss America pageant. The pageant needed to be modernized to make it more contemporary. She says the new format is more relatable for people.

Katie grew up in Seymour Indiana and began competing in pageants at the age of 15. She says her ultimate dream was to win the title of Miss America. To ensure that it was her decision to pursue this goal, Katies parents made her take an active role in completing applications for each pageant.

Born and raised Lutheran, Katie recalls, Going to church was a habit. it is what you are suppose to do. It wasnt until college that she got excited about being a Christian. When a friend invited Katie to a church that offered a more contemporary format, Katie was reluctant at first. After a few more visits, Katie joined the church.

Since becoming Miss America, Katie shares that she has grown in many areas of her life. She says the biggest area of her life that has experienced the most growth is spiritual. She gives so much credit to her faith for winning the title of Miss America.

CBN News July 9, 2009

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[wsealy02]

What an impressive young lady. She is naturally beautiful and has a kind heart at the same time. A rare combination

[kinakozy11]

she was born and raised in my town :) she was baptized and confirmed at my church and her mother works at the lutheran school i went to. she came to my high school for a presentation thing and we got to hang with her for an hour. she sat next to me and we talked it was awesome.

[Megadeth6633]

@NorwegianKafir excuse me but it's pretty damn clear in the bible, anyone who doesn't believe in/accept christ will burn in eternal agony...

[Megadeth6633]

obviously singin a religious song isn't ok, and IS a risk. This girl seems kind, loving, but seriously, singing religious songs/preeching will/can offend anyone who has other beliefs or no beliefs at all. I can imagine her standing in the crowd while listening to an atheist song...

[Megadeth6633]

right.. like god's gonna help you win some stupid pageant and not help people who reallly need things, like starving children in africa...

[MsFullheart]

they lied to accuse Jesus they know theyve got nothing on us!

[NorwegianKafir]

@akinadownhillace that is not what Christianity teaches. Sad that you have to lie to attack Christianity.

[akinadownhillace]

And Christians believe everyone who isn't a Christian is going to be tortured forever with fire. I gotta say, you people are crazy.

[stallion4life]

@wsealy02 Not so rare... you just need to know where to look! :)

[JLizard]

Beautiful girl, great sense of fashion yet ever so down to earth!