By SARA GREENE
Leader deputy managing editor
Former Miss Air Force 2003, 2nd Lt. Kelly George, 24, deputy chief of the 314th Airlift Wing’s Strategic Information Flight, was crowned Miss Arkansas USA Saturday night in the Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
George said winning this competition was important to her so she could represent the Air Force in a positive way. “This breaks stereotypes about wo-men in pageants and women in the military,” she said. “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.”
Brig. General Kip Self, commander of Little Rock Air Force Base applauds George’s victory.“Kelly represents the Air Force and Arkansas well. She takes to heart the spirit of service in dedicating herself to civic duty and to the country,” Self said.
“The Air Force is supportive in letting me fufill my public appearance duties as Miss Arkansas USA,” George said.
Miss Arkansas USA makes numerous appearances across the state for charities including breast and ovarian cancer awareness.
“Breast and ovarian cancer run in my family so it means a lot to me to work for those charities,” George said. In the spring, George will compete for the Miss USA title, a qualifier for the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss USA pageant will be televised on NBC. She may be making other television appearances on the NBC game shows “Deal or No Deal” and “Fear Factor.”
She is the daughter of Dale and Dottie George of Mission Viejo, Calif.