DoD News:  You read that right, Miss Utah is a reservist in the Utah National Guard.  For one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, Miss Utah drops the tiara, makeup, high heels, and gowns to transform herself into Army Sgt. Jill Stevens. 

A combat medic who deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Group, in April 2004 , Steven’s life lies far outside the norm for beauty queens.  Claiming greater comfort in boots and fatigues than heels and gowns, Stevens is an enigma to the pageant lifestyle and a colorful reminder that generalizations don't always fit. 

“I’m first-off a soldier, always,” said Stevens, who had originally laughed at the idea of participating in a pageant. “I don’t do heels. I didn’t even know where to buy them!”

Stevens, 25, baulked at the thought of participating in a pageant at first. “I thought that all these girls do is wave their hand, look pretty and do nothing,” she said. “I didn’t want to be associated with that.”

Shortly thereafter, she discovered that the organization actually had a lot to offer in its promotion of education, leadership, fitness and well-being, and the perfection of self.

“I saw a great opportunity that would open doors,” she said, “(These women) can move people to action and really make a difference.”