Hoosier’s reign as Miss America ends

SEYMOUR, Ind. – Miss America Katie Stam is about to hand in her crown. But her family says the Indiana native’s work is far from over.

Stam will end her reign Jan. 30 when the pageant crowns a new winner in Las Vegas.

The handoff will cap a whirlwind year that saw the Seymour native meet President Barack Obama and promote community service and the Children’s Miracle Network around the world.

The University of Indianapolis student was crowned Miss America last January after winning the swimsuit competition and battling laryngitis while performing in the talent portion of the pageant.

“It is an unbelievable dream that has been such a blessing, not only to our family but to our community and our state,” said Tracy Stam, Katie’s mother.

Stam’s schedule has kept her out of Indiana most of the year. She visited soldiers injured in Iraq at a German hospital and helped repair homes destroyed by natural disasters.

She performed for race fans at the Indianapolis 500, participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and made appearances in Canada as the spokeswoman for Joseph Ribkoff Clothing.

Stam’s uncle, Blake Hackman, says the experience hasn’t changed his niece, who would dress up in bridesmaids gowns and make crowns out of cereal boxes while playing “pageant” with a cousin as a child.

“She’s still the same grounded person she’s always been, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he said.

Family members say Stam will take a month off after her reign ends, but they don’t expect her to be idle long.

Stam’s parents predict she’ll pursue more opportunities for community service and resume her goal of a career in broadcast journalism this year.

“Her dream for her whole life has been to become Miss America, and she said now she has to dream bigger,” Keith Stam said of his daughter.

“She’ll do it.”