Katie Millar hopes she proved to the country that traditional values are still in style.

ON MONDAY IN LAS VEGAS, Millar joined the ranks of only four other Miss Utah titleholders to become a top ten finalist at the Miss America competition.

“I wasn’t expecting to make the top ten, especially because when I was called there were only four slots left and 46 other contestants,” said Millar. “After they called the sixth finalist I felt a sudden calm and then I heard my name. It was pretty thrilling to be a national finalist and see my face on the big screen.”

As part of the top ten, Millar competed against nine other finalists in swimsuit and evening wear. She turned heads as she walked out on to the stage the final night in her modest one-piece swimsuit.

“Some of the other contestants turned to her before she went on stage and said, ‘You are wearing thatfi You have got to be kiddingfi” said Katie’s mother, Rita Millar, “But when she went on to the stage she looked absolutely fabulous. She had a unique glow about her.”

As part of her Miss Utah mission statement, Katie said she is determined to prove to young women everywhere that you can be successful without compromising your values.

“My message as Miss Utah expands beyond just the pageant world,” said Millar. “I hope that I am an example to all young women that you can uphold traditional values and be successful at the same time.”

Through Millar’s performance on Monday night, she was able to share this message with the nation.

“Katie was able to be seen on national television in a one-piece swimsuit,” said Tewa Wride, Millar’s pageant consultant. “I am proud that she was able to make such a bold statement to the world proving you can be successful at pageants and still be modest.”

It wasn’t easy to put together a classy Miss America wardrobe in which all the dresses had sleeves and the swimsuit was modest, but Katie said she was determined to maintain her standards.

“Katie felt it was important to wear a modest wardrobe at Miss America,” said her mother Rita Millar. “There have been lots of comments from other contestants, friends and family members expressing their appreciation of her modesty.”

Millar has maintained this modest standard from her first competition, Miss Timpanogos, to her recent experience at Miss America.

“From a mother’s point of view, it takes a lot of guts to go out on the Miss America stage with sleeves and a full swimsuit,” said Rita Millar.

Katie arrived six days before the competition began to attend Miss America promotional events and rehearse for the final performance.

“Rehearsals were exhausting and almost monotonous,” said Millar. “We would rehearse the same few numbers every day for up to eight hours. Every one of the girls could do the dance in our sleep.”

Competition began on Wednesday with the interview portion. Millar competed in talent on Thursday, on-stage interview on Friday, and swimsuit/evening wear on Saturday.

“Talent is one of Katie’s strongest competitions,” said Wride. “But at the preliminary talent night, one of the strings on her violin broke during her song. Yet, she handled the situation with class and finished the piece.”

Katie was a little disappointed at this ironic twist of fate because she had practiced for months to prepare for this specific performance. Yet, she said she realizes that the situation was completely out of her control and resolved to be proud of her performance, despite her unfortunate setback.

“It was so ironic because I checked all of my strings before I went on stage,” said Millar. “I just couldn’t believe the odds that my one chance to perform on the Miss America stage and my string popped off.”

Millar played most of her piece with just three strings, yet observers said her performance was still top-notch.

“It wasn’t perfect, but she still did great,” said Rita Millar. “At least the judges though so, because she made the top ten.”

Millar returned home from Miss America on Tuesday and is looking forward to a little down time.

“I am going to sleep, never rat my hair again and I’m not wearing make up for at least a week,” said Millar.

Her down time won’t last long as she has four more months to serve as Miss Utah, attending appearances and promoting her platform, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Though Miss America is over, Millar has not forgotten all of those who helped her represent Utah at this national competition. Katie thanked everyone who has supported her through this journey.

“I could not have done this without the support, both emotionally and financially, from the many members of my family, neighborhood and community,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who believed in me and helped me to represent both our state and community at the Miss America pageant.”

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