Making her home state proud, Miss Indiana Katie Stam was named as Miss America 2009 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday night (January 24).

With Mario Lopez acting as host, Miss Stam, a 22-year-old communications major from the University of Indianapolis, beat out her 51 fellow competitors to capture this year's crown.


After the announcement was made, the reigning Miss America, Michigan's Kirsten Haglund, graciously crowned her overjoyed successor.

For winning the competition, which aired on TLC, Stam earned herself a $50,000 scholarship and numerous opportunities which will surely arise from being named Miss America.