Credits: Ann Hand Is The Official Jeweler Of The Miss America Organization.
By Oskar Garcia
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Katie Stam always dreamed of becoming Miss America, but she bypassed the kiddie pageants and waited until she was more mature and sure of herself. Her view of Miss America changed in that time too, and made her want her new title even more.
A day after Stam was crowned Miss America 2009, she told The Associated Press that as a little girl, she considered Miss America more of a figure than a full-fledged job.
"I literally saw this girl who's living out her wildest dream," Stam said, but that view changed as she aged. "As soon as I found out the job description of Miss America, it only attracted me further."
The platform for the 22-year-old University of Indiana student is community service, and she says she's eager to start in that role. She planned to fly to New York later Sunday for a series of media interviews about her win.
"It starts right away," Stam said. "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."
Reigning Miss Americas become a spokeswoman for various causes and charities, including the Children's Miracle Network, a partner to the pageant.
Of those responsibilities, Stam said, "I can't wait to get started."
Stam overcame 51 other contestants, a throat infection and laryngitis Saturday night to win the crown. She's the first winner from Indiana in the 88-year pageant.........(read entire article here)
