Archived News | Return to News Center

January 28, 2010

ULM’s Putnam named National Miracle Maker by Miss America Organization

Miss America Organization officials named University of Louisiana at Monroe senior Katherine Putnam the winner of this year’s National Miracle Maker award.

As Miss Louisiana 2009, Putnam’s award comes with $5,000 in scholarship money for her work raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. The Miss America Organization is an official fundraising partner of the non-profit organization.

Putnam’s recognition makes this the second year in a row that a Miss Louisiana contestant has earned the Miracle Maker distinction.

Miss Louisiana Executive Director Dewana Little joined Putnam on stage for the award ceremony in Las Vegas, where Putnam will compete with 52 other contestants for the Miss America 2010 crown on Saturday, Jan. 30.

“It was such an honor to stand on the Miss America stage with the beautiful women competing in the pageant,” said Little. “And of course, our own Miss Louisiana was the shining star. Her physical and inner beauty radiated, especially after the wonderful answer to her onstage question.”

Little was referring to one of the preliminary contests of the week-long competition, in which each contestant is required to deliver an answer to the on-stage question presented by a panel of Miss America judges.

“She answered perfectly,” said Little. “Her question was platform related and gave her the opportunity to talk about the ‘Miracle of Music.’ She focused on the power and beauty of music when it touches and heals hurting hearts.”

The ceremony was followed with a showing of a Children’s Miracle Network video featuring a heart transplant patient who benefits from the funds raised by the organization.

“I would just like to say a very special thank you to all of our 2009 Miss Louisiana contestants who worked so hard to make it possible for Louisiana to win the National State Miracle Maker’s award,” said Little. “This was truly an honor that would not be possible without their hard work.”

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.