Miss Indiana Katie Stam was crowned Miss America 2009 among the 52 young women that competed for the title Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old University of Indianapolis student drew a loud applause for her performance of Via Dolorosa during the talent competition even while battling a throat infection and laryngitis throughout the week.

Stam began competing in pageants at age 15 and is a communications major who plans to work in television news.

The first runner-up was Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman.