Miss Michigan, Kristen Haglund, Wins Miss America 2008

Kristen Haglund, the blonde beauty from Farmington Hills, Michigan, was crowned Miss America 2008 after weeks of grueling competition. But Kristen Haglund, 19, wasn't the favorite going into last night's competition - that would be Jill Stevens, who couldn't seem to make it past the final 16 contestants.

While Stevens was shockingly eliminated fairly early on in the competition, Kristen won over the judges with her unique charm and sophistication, ultimately taking the crown away from the 50 other beauties vying for the coveted title.

Kristen swayed the judges when she indicated the lack of awareness for eating disorders in young women.

But being poised, polite and well-spoken isn't as difficult for Haglund as it may be for some of the other contestants - being a beauty queen is in her blood. Kristen's grandmother, Iora Hunt, was also crowned Miss Michigan in the 1944 pageant, but never managed to win Miss America.

America got to know Kristen and the other girls during their four-week reality special on TLC.

And while Jill Stevens was clearly the favorite going into the competition, there's no doubt that Kristen is a deserving winner.

Congratulations to Kristen, let's hope she wears the crown with honor.

Via egossip.com