Owensboro's Katie Bouchard got some amazing national television exposure tonight.  The reigning Miss Kentucky got her chance to compete for the title of Miss America.

Via Sydney DeLong
Via Sydney DeLong
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Katie has been in Atlantic City, New Jersey for a couple of whirlwind weeks.  She has been doing press tours, rehearsing for the pageant and competing in Miss America's preliminary rounds.  Tonight, she and fifty other hopefuls took the stage in order to chase a lifetime goal and dream.

Though Katie didn't make the Top 15, she was radiant and confident as always. Stepping to the mic, adorned in her "Kentucky" sash, Katie announced and introduced herself to a national audience on ABC.  As Katy Perry's "Roar" played underneath . . . Katie declared her arrival on the Miss America stage.  "A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor's in Social Work.  I am Katie Bouchard . . . KENTUCKY!"

And, regardless of tonight's outcome, Katie is just beginning her reign as Miss Kentucky.  It's a job she dreamed of having as a little girl and a job she worked endlessly to achieve as an adult.  While she may not be Miss America, she is our Miss Kentucky.  Or, should I say . . . Miss KENTUCKY!!!!!!!

You've done Kentucky proud, Katie Bouchard.  Keep representing.  Keep working hard.  Keep being you.  There are many more crowning achievements to come.

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