Miss America 2009 Katie Stam Gets Engaged
Miss America 2009, Indiana’s Katie Stam, is giving up her crown but gaining a ring since becoming engaged on Friday evening.
According to People, her fiancee, Brian Irk, proposed at a fundraiser gala to an audience of over 600 people. Irk is a personal trainer from Indiana.
"I started hyperventilating because I was so excited," she said about the proposal. "He dropped down on one knee and he said 'I love you so much. Will you be my Miss America forever?'"
The 24-year-old woke up the following morning thinking the last night had been a dream.
"This morning, I pulled my hand up from underneath the covers and stared at my ring for a little bit," she said about her emerald-cut ring.
The couple plans to return to Indianapolis, and is aiming for a fall wedding.
"It's bittersweet but being engaged and going back to Indiana knowing that I'm engaged to the man that I love, makes it really special and makes it easier to let go of being Miss America. I'm kind of trading one in for the other," she says.
As for the Miss America title and crown, Stam will turn over the honor at the 2010 Miss America Pageant, which will be televised live from Las Vegas, airing on TLC at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 30.
