On September 19 , 1987 , Rafko was named as the Miss America 1988 , after winning the Miss Michigan pageant of 1987 . In the Miss America competition her platform included help for hospice services and her talent was a Tahitian dancing performance . Rafko has participated in a number of fundraising activities and has been a vocal advocate for nursing and hospice programs . She has addressed medical professional organizations around the world on the topic of nursing , including groups in Malaysia , Paris , Rome , and Singapore
Miss America 1988
Miss America 1988
Kaye Lani Rae Rafko