As she readies to pass her crown to the next lucky lady, 2009 Miss America Katie Stam has gotten engaged to fiance Brian Irk!

Attending a fundraising event at The Planet Hollywood Towers on Friday night (January 29), Miss Stam’s personal trainer beau got down on one knee and popped the question with 600 guests looking on.

Talking about the moment, Katie tells, “I started hyperventilating because I was so excited. He dropped down on one knee and he said ‘I love you so much. Will you be my Miss America forever?’”

Scheduled to hand over Miss America duties during the ceremony airing on TLC at 8PM tonight (January 30), Katie still can’t believe that she’s on her way to being a married woman.

“This morning, I pulled my hand up from underneath the covers and stared at my ring for a little bit,” she gushes, adding that she and Brian are eyeing a fall wedding in Indianapolis.