Airman selected as Miss Arkansas USA

  • Published
  • By Capt. David Faggard
  • 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CONWAY, Ark. (AFPN) --  An Airman assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base was selected as Miss Arkansas USA Oct. 28 at the pageant held in the Donald W. Reynolds Auditorium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

Second Lieutenant Kelly George, a resident of Sherwood, Ark., is the deputy chief of Public Affairs for the 314th Airlift Wing.

"Kelly represents the Air Force and Arkansas well," said Brig. Gen. Kip Self, 314th Airlift Wing commander. "She takes to heart the spirit of service in dedicating herself to civic duty and service to the country."

Lieutenant George has been preparing for pageants for more than a decade and says training for pageants is similar to being an Airman in the Air Force.

"You have to be a good role model in the Air Force and as Miss Arkansas USA," she said. "The key is to embody all the qualities of a healthy lifestyle and be a good role model and represent yourself and the state well."

Lieutenant George said winning is important because "this breaks stereotypes about women in pageants and women in the military."

"It's such an honor for her to have won," said Jeff Gilliam, Miss Arkansas USA production director and emcee. "She represents the state and our nation and this is as much of an honor for us as it is for her."

Lieutenant George will compete in the Miss USA Pageant in the Spring on national TV in front of several million viewers on NBC and may possibly have appearance on "Deal or No Deal" as well as "Fear Factor."

According to the Miss USA website, "Contestants must be savvy, goal-oriented and aware, and display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals who participate in the competitions to advance their career, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others."