Miss America

The annual Miss America beauty pageant represents national delegates from each state of the United States of America. First televised in 1955, it has since been broadcasted on ABC, CMT and TLC. The winners within the pageant receive scholarships as well as the the grand winner claiming the title of "Miss America" for one year.

Katie Stam won the Miss America 2009 competition.

The 2009 Miss America pageant aired on January 24, 2009. It took place at the the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by Mario Lopez and the TLC network, the announcement of the semi-finalists were followed by the competition of the top fifteen. The winner, Katie Stam, was be announced live following the interview portion of the final three contestants.

The crowned winner of Miss America 2008 was Kirsten Haglund from Farmington Hills, Michigan. She was 19 at the time of the pageant and attending the University of Cincinnati. An aspiring Broadway star, she chose to pursue a bachelors degree is Musical Theatre. Her platform issue was to raise awareness and prevention against eating disorders, after battling her own.

1. 17-24 years of age
2. Unmarried status
3. Legal citizen of the United States
4. Resident of delegated state
5. Educational honors

• Official Site: Meet Miss America 2008

• Monsters and Critics: Miss America Pancake Breakfast (January 19, 2009)

• Google Image Search: Miss America Pageant

• Yahoo! Image Search: Miss America Pageant

• Flickr: Miss America Photos

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