Miss America 2009 Katie Stam will be on hand in the Made in Indiana section of the Indiana State Fair on Saturday with Marion-Kay Spices, a renown company since 1922.  As a part of a special promotion, Marion-Kay Spices has created a unique and flavorful seasoning that has been named the official Miss America Katie Stam Spice. 

All proceeds from the sale of this spice will benefit the Miss America Scholarship Fund. The Miss America Katie Stam Seasoning is an All-American Spice Blend that can be used on anything from meats to vegetables and from soups to salads.  Use it on the grill, in the oven or on the stove.  You don't have to attend the fair to buy this limited edition spice! The spice is currently available by visiting www.marionkay.com/katie or by calling 1-800-627-7423.

Please help continue our tradition of providing educational support to young women across the country, while enjoying the newest spice from one of the world’s finest spice companies! Marion-Kay Spices is headquartered in Brownstown, Indiana. Founded in 1922, just one year after the first Miss America Pageant, Marion-Kay Spices is a family owned and operated company through four generations.  The company is rich in tradition and is committed to top quality service and consistency in using only the finest raw ingredients from countries around the world.  

Miss America cheers up children in hospital visit

Timing is everything, and 11-year-old Jay Harrington learned that lesson early in life. The Pine Hill boy just happened to be in the Virtua Voorhees Hospital when Miss America Katie Stam paid a visit on Thursday morning. He injured his knee in a fall and had been admitted to the pediatric department two days earlier.  "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said his mother, Janice Harrington. "Not many kids can say they met Miss America when they were in the hospital." -- Article and photo: www.courierpostonline.com    Read full article

Way back when: Today in history

1984 - Vanessa Williams resigned her title as Miss America 1984 at the request of pageant officials because of nude photographs of her published in Penthouse magazine's September issue that was selling rapidly. "They lasted about 10 minutes," the manager of a Tulsa drug store said of his supply. Other sellers reported similar brisk sales although Penthouse had raised its price from $3 to $4. Williams, 21, of Millwood, N.Y., said "the potential harm to the pageant" convinced her she should resign. She was the first black Miss America and the first to resign. --Tulsa World, www.tulsaworld.com   Read full article

Former Miss New Hampshire killed in crash on way to Stratham Fair

A former Miss New Hampshire who was on her way to be a judge in the Miss Stratham Fair contest was killed in an automobile accident Friday on Interstate 93. WMUR-TV reported that 42-year-old Deborah Jean Howard of Campton was driving south on I-93 in New Hampton at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning when the rear bumper of her car was struck by another vehicle. Howard lost control of her car and struck a tree in the median. According to the Union Leader, Howard was Miss New Hampshire 1991.  -- www.seacoastonline.com   Read full article

Miss America asked Vanessa Williams to step down in 1984

July 20, 1984: Vanessa L. Williams is asked to relinquish her Miss America title. Williams was born in Tarrytown, New York in 1963. She was musically inclined and learned both piano and French horn but preferred singing. She attended Syracuse University from 1981-83, majoring in Theater Arts. She abandoned her education when she became Miss America on September 17, 1983. She was granted a degree from the school 25 years later after her life experiences were used to fulfill the obligations of the remaining college credits.  -- Jacksonville Examiner, www.examiner.com  Photo by Christopher Peterson   Read full blog

Miss Nevada crown stolen two days before pageant

Miss Nevada's head might be a little lighter Saturday night. Two days before 12 Nevada women vie for the title of Miss Nevada, the symbol that screams beauty pageant has been stolen. The Miss Nevada crown, almost identical to the one worn by Miss America, was stolen at about 11 a.m. Thursday from a locked hotel room at Circus Circus Reno, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, director for the Miss America organization in Nevada and Miss Nevada 2002, said. "We went to get it to have hair clips attached and realized it was missing from its case," Benitez-Thompson said. --Reno Gazette-Journal.   Read full article

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam To Be Featured on The Price is Right

Tuesday, June 9 at 11 a.m. EST* CBS

Tune in to The Price is Right on CBS tomorrow, June 9 at 11 a.m. EST* and watch as Miss America 2009 Katie Stam presents the first prize of the day and then later announces one of the showcase show-downs! Katie did a phenomenal job on the show and we can't wait for America to see her shine! Be sure to tune in! *Please check your local listings

Miss America Organization Welcomed to Puerto Rico

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam presents Joselo Sostre, Executive Director of  the Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program with the new Miss Puerto Rico sash.

Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America Organization, and Miss America 2009 Katie Stam were welcomed to Puerto Rico today by Joselo Sostre, Executive State Director of the Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program, along with his newly appointed staff at a press conference in San Juan.  They were greeted by media outlets that included magazines, newspapers and television outlets who covered The Miss America Press Conference. 

Art surprised the media with his bilingual welcome, and was pleased to announce the January 30, 2010 Pageant date on TLC live from Planet Hollywood.  The press conference was also highlighted by having the very first Miss Puerto Rico participate, Miss Puerto Rico 1948, Irma Nydia Vazquez- marking her 60th anniversary! 

Irma was so proud to welcome back the Miss America Program to Puerto Rico and spoke on how important it is for young women in Puerto Rico to have a pageant like Miss America, with core values that focuses on education. She is so very proud of the title she earned nearly 60 years ago and was thrilled to be a part of this historic event for the Organization. 

From left: Carlos Vigoreaux, executive producer of the Miss Puerto Rico Pageant; Art McMaster, Miss America Organization President and CEO; Kenneth McClintock, Secretary of State of Puerto Rico; Miss America 2009 Katie Stam; Joselo Sostre, Executive Director of the Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program

Prior to the press conference, Miss America 2009 Katie Stam and Art were invited to meet with Puerto Rico's Secretary of State, who presented them with a Proclamation.  Immediately following the press conference, the members of the Miss America Organization and Joselo's team were invited to tour the Governor's mansion.  This guided tour included meeting with the First lady of Puerto Rico, Luce Vela who was thrilled to have Miss America visit one of the world's most historic sites, Fortaleza! 

Following the tour, Miss America was able to have three photo shoots, and wrapped up her day with additional TV and radio interviews before leaving Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Katie will return to Puerto Rico for the July 31 Miss Puerto Rico Pageant and crown the 2009 winner who will compete for Miss America in January 2010! On behalf of the Miss America Organization we wish our newest state organization the very best and thank them for their wonderful welcome! ¡Muchas gracias a nuestros amigos!

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam Helps Deserving Military Families

As a part of her passion for community service, Miss America 2009 Katie Stam is helping to grant wishes for military families through a special program called, HEROES AT HOME.  Heroes at Home is a joint effort between Sears Holdings and Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading non-profit working to preserve affordable home ownership by providing free home rehabilitation. The mission of Heroes at Home is to ensure that military families are living in safe, warm and comfortable homes – a dream come true for many veterans, and especially important during this troubled economy and housing crisis.  

In celebration of Memorial Day this weekend, Katie will be promoting Heroes at Home during a special satellite media tour today, May 20. She will be speaking to media outlets across the country about Sears' and Heroes at Home's mission,  and reinforcing her commitment to promoting community service and involvement.

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam Chosen as One of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People!

Congratulations to Miss America 2009 Katie Stam for being chosen as one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People! Her picture and write up is featured in the May 1 issue of People, now available at news stands! 

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam continues her year of service visiting the U.S. Troops abroad in Germany this week and will spend Mother’s Day supporting our military and their families. 

Congratulations Katie on a beautiful milestone!

Miss America reunites with hometown fans

The first Miss America from Indiana began a whirlwind tour of her home state today, drawing cheers as she implored students to work hard and get involved in their communities. “You might know what you want to do and where you want to go, but do you know how you are going to get there?” Katie Stam asked high school students in her hometown of Seymour, about 60 miles south of Indianapolis. “The things you do in high school are critical to your future success, and I challenge you to take that seriously.” -- IndyStar.com

Miss America Katie Stam is returning to her southern Indiana hometown of Seymour for the first time since being crowned in January. Seymour Mayor Craig Ludeman has proclaimed Wednesday as “Miss America Katie Stam Day” in the city. The 22-year-old will be welcomed back this afternoon with a parade from Seymour High School to City Hall and make other Indiana appearances in the following days. --WIBC