TOP STORY >>Lieutenant has stylish send-off

By CHRISTY HENDRICKS
Drop Zone managing editor

Friends, co-workers and supporters of Miss Arkansas USA, 2nd. Lt. Kelly George, gathered to send her off to Hollywood to compete in the Miss USA pageant in style with a party March 1 at the Consolidated Club. The lieutenant will represent Arkansas at the Miss USA Pageant in Hollywood, Calif., March 23. The event will be televised at 8 p.m. March 23 on KARK-4.
The lieutenant was surprised at the number of people who attended and used the moment to celebrate women and to remind the young girls in attendance to aim their goals high.

“I’m just amazed by everyone here,” she said. “I wanted this to also be a celebration of women. There are such strong women here.” George addressed the young girls in attendance, “If you wanna grow up and wear a crown or combat boots, now’s the time to start. “Both are equally important, one more so than the other,” she said.

George then had the young girls stand up and repeat after her, “I can be anything I want to be, not someday, but today.”
Arkansas governor Mike Beebe said he was proud to have Lieutenant George as an ambassador for the state. “I know she will represent us, the Air Force and Arkansas with class and dignity,” said Gov. Mike Beebe. “Whether you come in 50th or first, you are our lady,” Beebe said.

Lieutenant George was presented with a key to the city of Sherwood by Mayor Dan Stedman and a proclamation declaring the week of March 18-24 Miss Arkansas USA Kelly George week. The event’s silent auction included items such as autographed Jermain Taylor boxing gloves and an autographed Rod Smith football and raised approximately $1,700 for the Airmen and Family Readiness Flight’s Good Samaritan Fund.

Lieutenant George also modeled her wardrobe for the Miss USA pageant, including her custom made evening gown designed by Sherri Hill for Jovani consisting of crystal beads and velvet.