Miss America 2009 Katie Stam of Seymour is a finalist for Time magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People List, according to the folks at Miss America. They sent out an e-mail this monring.

This is the first time a Miss America has been included in the Time promotion.

The annual list asks the public to rate each candidate on their influence on the world. Those recognized fall in one of five categories: Leaders & Revolutionaries, Builders & Titans, Artists & Entertainers, Scientists & Thinkers and Heroes & Icons.

Within each category, the 20 most influential people are selected, for a total of 100 each year.

Miss America officials said the organization is “truly excited that Miss America is being honored as a finalist among so many other notable figures in the world today such as President Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, Katie Couric and Oprah.”

Here’s what the Time Web site said about Stam:

“PRO: The former Indiana farm girl overcame laryngitis to become the first Hoosier crown winner in the show’s 88-year history. So far, she’s managed to avoid arrest and/or Internet scandal, which is an accomplishment in itself.

“CON: Despite attempts at an “American Idol”-style makeover, the pageant drew a middling 3.5 million viewers this year — hardly star-making numbers.”

While I realize the part about managing to avoid arrest or Internet scandal is deserved for some of the more recent winners of a variety of pageants given some of their exploits, but it seems out of place for Stam, called by many in the area, including our headline after she crowned, as “Our Miss America.”

What do you think of Stam’s influence, or Miss America’s influence.

Let us know, and we’ll share your thoughts with our readers.

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