Kirsten Haglund at the 2008 Miss America Pageant, where she was crowned Miss America. Following the crowning, a press conference was held. Kirsten was presented with a pearl necklace, a tray of chocolates, and answered questions for the press. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash News27 January 2008 (Sawf News) - Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, 19, was crowned Miss America 2008 Saturday, January 26 at the Planet Hollywood Resort Las Vegas. She beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up.
Miss Michigan - Kirsten Haglund, at the Miss America preliminaries Day 2 Formal Gowns competition. The 2008 Miss America competition was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. The girls were divided into three groups for three days of preliminaries. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash News Following the crowning Kirsten was presented with a pearl necklace, a tray of chocolates and a press conference was held to answer questions for the press.
The crown brings her a $50,000 scholarship and a year of travel to every corner of the country.
Miss Michigan - Kirsten Haglund at the Miss America preliminaries Day 2 Swimsuits competition. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash NewsKirsten's preliminary win at the lifestyle and fitness on the second night of competition firmly established her as a front runner in the competition.
She studies music at the University of Cincinnati. Her grandmother, Iora Hunt, was the Miss Michigan in 1944. Kirsten got Hunt onto the platform for a hug.
Scenes from the taping of the 2008 Miss America Pageant. The pageant was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash NewsKirsten wore a sheer silver sequined gown during the Formal Gowns competition and a black with gold accents bikini during the Swimsuits competition. For the talent portion of the competition, Kirsten sang "Over the Rainbow."
She has taken up advocating awareness for eating disorders as her platform issue as she herself has recovered from this illness. She will travel approximately 20,000 miles each month.
Miss Michigan - Kirsten Haglund at the Miss America preliminaries Day 3 Talent competition. The 2008 Miss America competition was held at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. The girls were divided into three groups for three days of preliminaries. Photo Credit: Scott Doctor / Splash NewsShe will be acting as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network. The non-profit organization, dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals, is the national platform partner of the Miss America Organization.
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