Katie Stam

Katie R. Stam Irk (born July 9, 1986; née. Stam) is an American beauty queen from Seymour, Indiana, who was crowned Miss America 2009. Stam was born to Keith and Tracy Stam, both middle school teachers, on July 9, 1986, in southern Indiana. Stam grew up on a dairy farm with her three siblings. She participated in 4-H as a child and showed dairy cattle at the Jackson County Fair. Stam graduated from Seymour High School in Seymour, Indiana, and later received her bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of Indianapolis. Stam also interned at the Indianapolis news station, WTHR, in 2007. Stam began competing in pageants at the age of 15, winning a local title before being named Kentuckiana Teen and advancing and winning her first national pageant. She later won Indiana's Junior Miss in 2005, and was named second runner-up at the 2005 America's Junior Miss competition. In November 2007, Stam won the local Miss Duneland title (Michigan City, Indiana). She competed in the Miss Indiana pageant for the first time during June 2008, and was crowned Miss Indiana. For her state talent she performed "Art Is Calling Me." Countdown to the Crown On this TLC reality series, viewers followed the 52 Miss America contestants vying for the Miss America 2009 crown. Viewers then had the opportunity to vote online for a contestant to help them earn a "Golden Sash", signifying a secured spot in the top 15. Stam was the first to receive a "Golden Sash" during the first episode. In the week prior to the televised pageant Stam won a preliminary swimsuit award. Additionally, the three previous Miss Americas, Miss America 2006, Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, and Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, had predicted prior to the pageant that Stam would win the Miss America crown. The Miss America 2009 pageant was broadcast live on TLC from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 24, 2009. For her talent, Stam sang "Via Dolorosa" despite suffering from a throat infection.