In mid-January the new Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund picked up her crown at the Planet Hollywood Resort and jumped on a plane immediately to New York. Now for the first time in nearly eight-weeks she’s won her first free time on the busy schedule to get back home to Michigan—and the 2007 State Titleholders gave her a weeklong royal homecoming.

Kirsten even arrived at the via horse-drawn carriage with a crowd of about 800 fans to welcome Kirsten home and see her perform. Several of her 2008 Planet Hollywood Miss America Pageant sisters were also in attendance, including Miss Virginia Hannah Kiefer, Miss Texas Molly Hazlett, Miss Illinois Ashley Hatfield, Miss North Dakota Ashley Young, Miss Iowa Diana Reed, Miss Indiana Nicole Rash, Miss Wisconsin Christina Thompson, Miss California Melissa Chaty, Miss Utah Jill Stevens, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto. Previous Michigan winner, Miss America 1988 Kay Lani Rafko hosted the event and several 2007 Miss Michigan contestants and the new Miss Michigan, Gina Valo performed. Kirsten was greeted with a standing ovation as she took her Miss America walk on stage.

“Oh my gosh, this is crazy,” she said. “Thank you. This night is not about me. It’s all about this organization. Thank you all for coming and driving in this Michigan weather.”

Kirsten’s father, Valdor joined her on stage for the religious ballad, “Here and Now.” In the second half of the evening’s performances, Kirsten and her brother Lars performed, “The Prayer.” They were joined by several Children’s Miracle Network kids from Michigan children’s hospitals. The Miss America 2009 pageant will be back at Planet Hollywood Resort here on the Strip next January when Kirsten will crown the next winner!

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