Miss America Crowned

Katie Stam, 22, a communications major at the University of Indianapolis, was crowned Miss America in the 88-year-old competition that aired on TLC. Beating out 51 other contestants and taking the title, she also took home a $50,000 scholarship. This also presents Stam with the opportunity to represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition this year.

This is the first time that viewers got to play a role in decision making. Audience members voted their favorite 4 candidates out of the top 15 to place in the finals, according to www.chinaview.cn.

"America is going to have a much greater impact than they've ever had before," said Brent Zackey, vice-president for production and development at TLC. "We thought it would be great to really make the whole scheme of the reality show about America getting to know these women and letting them focus in on the women they would vote into the finals."