Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News

Media Credit: FIle Photo Jill Stevens, as Miss SUU, interviews contestant Keli Thurman during the annual pageant in February 2007. Stevens, nicknamed "G.I. Jill," went on to win Miss Utah and will compete for Miss America on Jan. 26. She has been participating in the TLC series Miss America: Reality Check.

To show appreciation and support for Jill Stevens, a send-off party will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall at the R. Haze Hunter Conference Center. The send-off party is sponsored by SUU Public Relations, Alumni & Friends, administration and SUUSA.

Stevens will be modeling her swimsuit and evening gown, and performing her talent, which will also be performed at the Miss America pageant. A panel discussion will follow to give people the chance to pose questions to Stevens. Afterward will be refreshments, where people will have the opportunity to talk to Stevens.

"I think she has a great chance to win," said Deniece Allred, SUUSA office manager. "Especially with the new philosophy that they have; they want the all-American girl who is well-rounded and well-respected."

Allred said she thinks Stevens has a good chance.

"We would like to be, if she wins, the ones who start her

journey," she said. "She feels like family here."

Art McMaster, president of the Miss America Organization, said he is proud of Stevens and the other contestants.

"Jill is a wonderful representative for not only her state, but her country, and she shows the true spirit of commitment to our program," he said.

Mindy Benson, executive director of Alumni Relations, said Stevens is "an amazing person."

"She is bright, dedicated, hard-working and so willing to get involved and help others," Benson said.

Dean O'Driscoll, marketing and public relations director, said many people will attend to support Stevens.

Daniel Skeen, a freshman theatre arts major from Loveland, Colo., said he thinks Stevens is a "very highly-qualified candidate."

"I think she has a lot of things going for her, including her incredible looks," he said. "I think the fact that she's very smart will play into her effectiveness in the Miss America pageant."

Jason King, a sophomore hotel, resort and hospitality management major from St. George, said he has confidence in Stevens.

"I think Stevens will win Miss America because she has done a lot for the community," he said. "She's got a lot of things that a lot of people here in the United States don't have."

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