Cadet trades combat boots for high heels, crown

  • Published
  • By Ann Patton
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A member of Cadet Squadron 34 has spread her wings and ventured beyond the Academy to the world of pageants and, in doing so, claimed a national title.

Cadet 3rd Class Katherine Dials, who was named Miss American Teen for the National Miss American Coed Pageants, will travel to Texas, Florida and the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas this month. She picked up her crown at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., over Thanksgiving break.

"I went with no aspirations to win," she said. "It is just icing on the cake."

She laughed and added, "I went from combat boots to high heels."

Cadet Dials had competed in the Coed Pageants a little more than two years ago with smaller wins. The decision to enter once again was a journey of self exploration. To qualify, she first won the state title for Delaware.

"I struggled to find myself in high school, and I have struggled as a (sophomore)," she said. "You go there to grow as a person."

She competed in interview, introductions and evening-wear competitions. Sharpening her public speaking skills in pageant competitions, she feels, has broadened skills she uses as a cadet and will use as an officer.

"It has made introductions incredibly easy and easy to just stand up in front of people," she said, adding that public speaking is a skill many need to acquire but remain fearful about.

"It's such a valuable skill many people lack, but it's something I love to do," she said.
The daughter of a U.S. Military Academy graduate is a pre-med and economics major who dreams to become a doctor.

"Sometimes a profession just falls on you," she said.

Now certified as an emergency medical technician, she is also on the dean's and commandant's lists, a regular participant in Catholic chapel activities and is heading up the 2012 ring dance, among other Academy activities.

A secondary career goal for the cadet is to teach college-level economics.

A native of Indiana, Cadet Dials said she is proud to represent the Academy. Not only did she emphasize her life here during the introduction competition, she has encouraged other contestants to consider a military career and will travel as time allows to pageant events around the country during the next year both as a queen and as a cadet.

She admitted she lacked singing or dancing skills during a talent competition, but pageant officials put her Academy training to good use nonetheless. Cadet Dials, in 4-inch heels, leggings and a dress, performed 20 push-ups for the audience.

She has made many close friendships with other contestants, a major plus for entering the pageant in the first place, and she is in regular contact with them.

"They are women with character, poise and drive," she said. "Their dream is to go to college and be their best.

"They are women with differences, and differences are their strength," she added. "It's not about me. It's about meeting with other girls, and they are made for more than just staying on the sidelines."

The 25-year-old pageant organization focuses on helping each young woman develop poise, self-confidence and the ability to express herself, plus indulge in some pageant glamour.

In light of a 3.6 grade point average at the Academy, it is hard to imagine the same young girl who didn't learn to read until she was in the fourth grade. Dyslexia plagued her learning, but the future cadet didn't let it her slow her down. Instead, she developed personal ways to overcome the dyslexia.

"It was often very hard, but it was both my greatest attribute and my greatest weakness," she said.

Cadet Dials said she enjoys being a girl and doing girl things.

"It's hard to be in uniform all the time," she said with a smile. "Being different doesn't mean I can't dress up in an evening gown," she said. "Coming here doesn't mean I'm a guy. It's a common misconception that female cadets are not really girls."

Maj. Tracy Smith, air officer commanding for CS 34, describes her in two words: determined and energized.

"Katie has set some big goals for herself and is taking advantage of opportunities at the Academy to reach them," she said. "While (the pageant) will take up more of her time, it boosts her confidence and provides her with a positive distraction that will help her focus more on academics and military development when she needs to."

As for energy, Major Smith said when Cadet Dials is doing something she really enjoys, her positive attitude rubs off.

Cadet Dials has earned the respect of others as well.

"When you see her interacting in the squadron, you usually see her and her classmates joking and laughing together," Major Smith said.