Freedom Wing Airman competes in Ms. Veteran America pageant

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  She doesn't share her last name with Tyra Banks, however, Staff Sgt. Tyra Everett will soon "strut her stuff" not unlike the famous model and talk show host Oct. 7 at the first ever Ms. Veteran America Pageant held in Arlington, Va.

After competing at one of four regional competitions held across the U.S. in June, Everett, a medical technician with the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, is the only Reserve Airman who made the cut. Competitors came from every branch and included retirees, active duty, Reserve and Guard. Fifty finalists got through regionals and will compete in the pageant.

The idea of the pageant came from Final Salute Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by a female Veteran. The purpose of the pageant is twofold - to raise awareness of female veterans and champion the plight of homeless female veterans.

"There's not a lot out there that highlights the elegance, poise and grace of women in the military, and alarming rates of homeless people are female veterans," Everett said. "A lot of people think of males when it comes to the homeless, and most of your shelters are geared toward assisting men."

According to Final Salute Inc. website, over 2 million female veterans have served with honor since the Revolutionary War. Today more than 13,000 female veterans are estimated to be homeless.

Bringing light to this cause is why Everett said she jumped at the chance to do the pageant.
"It's a good platform to bring attention to homeless female vets as well as show the softer side of the military women who are currently serving," said Everett. "The women out there paved the way for me and my fellow Airmen and they need assistance."

While waiting for the October pageant, competitors are practicing their talents and raising donations by selling honor charms for $25, the cost of what it takes to house a female veteran and her children for one day.

Final Salute's goal is to sell 365 charms to represent one year off the streets, said Everett.
All the funds raised by pageant contestants will go to programs that support homeless female veterans and their children.

Everett said she's doing well with getting donations from her sorority sisters at Drexel University in Philadelphia where she's currently pursuing two degrees, behavior health counseling and Nursing. Through her community outreach efforts there, she first heard about the pageant.

She received a community service award in April 2012 for helping to facilitate 1,443 service hours in the neighborhood as the chairperson for her sorority's service committee.

Final Salute heard about Everett's efforts and recognition and invited her to compete in the regional competition held June 9 in Washington D.C. Other regionals were held in California, Florida and Texas.

The Reserve competitor has successfully combined her military skills as a medical technician providing in-flight care for sick and wounded service members, with her civic outreach commitment, catering to Philadelphia's veterans through the "Support Homeless Veterans" task force, along with her educational pursuits.

She said her ultimate passion is to work with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and with children suffering from grief and trauma.

Everett has plans to share should she win the upcoming pageant.

Pageant rules show the winner will receive a crown and $15,000 dollars that is to be used toward pursuing an education, purchasing a home or starting a business.

"If I can, I want to donate a portion towards one of Drexel's hunger and homeless prevention organizations and do a lot of work with veterans in the Philadelphia area," Everett said.
The Airman has a foot-up on some of the competitors. With previous beauty pageant experience, she is no stranger to the stage.

Everett was first runner up for the Ms. Teen Oxnard competition as a high school junior for the town of Oxnard, Calif., and just as she did then, she will dance during the talent portion of the competition. Her dance routine will tell the story of a young woman finding her strength as she said young women within the military often have to do.