miss america

When I was a little girl I always looked forward to the Miss America Pageants. I can't pinpoint exactly what I liked about them, but I think that in some point of almost every little girls life they dream about being Miss America...(am I right?) I was no different. I loved the pageantry, the beautiful dresses, the talents, and what little girl doesn't dream of wearing a HUGE crown!?
The only time I came anywhere close to being in a pageant was when I participated in the Menomonee Falls, Junior Miss program/pageant when I was a (duh) Junior in Highschool. There was no swimsuit competition and the interview questions were handed to us the night before the program but we did have a talent portion, and an exercise/dance portion. I had a great time getting to know some of the girls from my village because I didn't go to high school with them. Plus, just getting to participate in a pageant was really fun!

With every Miss America competition I always root for Miss Wisconsin but she normally doesn't get any air time. I would also root for the woman who was representing whatever state I happened to live in at the time...thus rooting for Miss Missouri, Miss Indiana and now Miss Texas along with Miss Wisconsin (whom we hardly get a glimpse of, why is that?). But tonight I had to root for Miss Indiana as well. You see, Miss Indiana aka Miss America, Katie Stam, is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, where Greg and I spent his vicarage year. How cool is that? Not only is Miss America a midwest girl, she's from the church where we spent a year doing ministry. Awesome! I never thought I'd know someone who is/was Miss America.

We received an email from Betty about a month ago telling us that Katie was in the Miss America pageant and that we should watch the "countdown to the crown" on TLC during the weeks preceeding the competition...Katie won the first golden sash and was good competition for the other girls (obviously). Anyway, I'm just excited about Katie winning the crown and for what that means for her future. Now I can say that I have something in common with Miss America...and not just the state she's from!

Now, when and if Lost and Found update their "Lutheran" song they can add Miss America 2009, Katie Stam! Congratulations Katie and Immanuel...for a job well done. Here she is...Miss America!