The 22-year-old Katie Stam told the Associated Press that she always dreamed of becoming Miss America, but first she had to bypass the kiddie pageants and wait until she was more mature and confident about herself. This was a wise decision for her, since she had to overcome 51 other contestants, a throat infection and laryngitis Saturday night to win the crown.

 

Stam rose to the top after strutting in a black bikini, an off-the-shoulder, white evening gown and singing "Via Dolorosa." In addition she denounced the use of drugs among professional athletes that helped her not only to win the famed Tiara and sash, but also $50,000 in scholarship money. She had the privilege of being the first Miss Indiana to ever win this contest as well.

 

Katie Stam, who comes from the small town of Seymour, Ind., is a communications major at the University of Indianapolis and has great plans of being an active representative of her new title. She is scheduled to promote the contest and its charity partner Children’s Miracle Network. The new Miss America is also an anti-smoking advocate and seems to be very determined to cure all Americans of this addiction, starting with on-again, off-again smoking new President, Barack Obama.

 

Stam said she has not given up another childhood dream, which is to become a television news anchor, after her one-year reign as Miss America ends.