On May 18 Tiffany Berg, an Eagle Mountain and former Lehi resident, was crowned Mrs. Utah 2007 at the annual pageant held at Thanksgiving Point.

While Berg said that she was so shocked when her name was called that she could not move for nearly a minute, friends say they were not surprised.

"I wasn't surprised at all. I don't know a person who does more for the community than Tiffany," said Clay Egan, a long-time friend.

Berg is indeed involved with many projects including working with the Lehi Community Council, a civic organization consisting of volunteers and city leaders.

The mother of five children, ages 8 to 16 years old, her three daughters and two sons are actively involved in the Lehi High School sports program, student government, dance and horseback riding.

She is very busy being a chauffeur, but also finds time to head up the "Utah Home Makeovers" project that remodels homes for local families in need.

The most recent home remodel that she worked on was making Trolley Square shooting victim Stacy Hanson's home wheelchair accessible and more comfortable for his family. Berg introduced Hanson last Friday in Lehi, at his first public appearance since the shooting.

He stood up to the gunman trying to appeal to his humanity and got shot three times as a result. Partially paralyzed from damaged nerves, he has had several surgeries and has been in physical therapy since the incident.

Hanson said Berg was instrumental in helping his family recover from the tragic shooting. He has been able to return to work and with Berg's help has begun what he said he hopes is the first of several presentations.

"I think that what Stacy did was pretty heroic," said Berg.

If helping others and raising a family while overcoming substance abuse in your own life can be considered living a heroic life, then Berg is a hero too.

Her platform for the Mrs. Utah Pageant was "Healing from Substance Abuse." Berg said that her own struggle with substance abuse inspired her to help others.

"I finally got some faith-based counseling and it has been a huge transformation. It has been six years," she said.

She is working with Utah businesses and schools and Intermountain Healthcare to help make a difference in Utah's drug problem. She is also bringing in a program that started in Ohio that encourages people who are recovering from substance abuse to participate in a "Race for Recovery."

"You cannot run a 5K or a 10K if you are smoking or drinking everyday," said Berg. "I hope to get people headed in a healthier direction."

One friend and colleague described Berg as a "go-getter."

"She is a very strong go-getter in a very soft way," said Cherie Burton, former Mrs. Utah 2004 and motivational speaker. "Tiffany is strong in her moral beliefs and she does a lot of charity work. She was doing it before she entered the pageant. She definitely walks her talk."

Berg has also written five books and runs a consulting firm to help motivational speakers with contacts, presentation, materials and Web design.

Next week, Berg will get a chance to walk and talk again on the pageant stage as she participates with 53 other contestants in the Mrs. United States competition in Las Vegas.

Berg said she is interested to see how her addiction-related platform will go over in the pageant forum.

"That outcome is a huge opportunity to take the winners platform to the national level," said Berg.

LEHI NEWS BRIEFS

Concert in the park -- David Wayt and Friends are entertaining with "good old" rock music at Wines Park on July 16 at 7 p.m. Concessions are available and the concert is free to the public. The Lehi Arts Commission is sponsoring its Arts in the Park series through August. Those who attend are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and other accessories for their comfort during outdoor event.

Clarification -- The article "Lehi raises Legacy Center rates" in the Lehi Free Press July 5 edition should have stated "The 10 percent increase on center memberships and recreation programs fees will only affect non-residents, because residents will also receive a 10 percent discount on center membership costs and a 20 percent discount for recreation programs," according to the Lehi City Assistant Director Ron Foggin.

Float awards -- The Lehi float, designed and built by David Haws of Haws Floral, won the American Freedom Festival Grand Parade Judge's Special Award for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact. The design showed a princess kissing a frog and was the Miss Lehi royalty transportation for the parade. The float was awarded the Sweepstakes Award during Round-Up's Grand Parade in Lehi and took awards in Pleasant Grove's Strawberry Days and in Riverton's city celebration as well.