A smile can mask a lot.
The 14 contestants who competed in the Mrs. Utah America pageant Saturday at Kingsbury Hall smiled to hide their disappointment at not being among the five finalists, smiled while they assumed the awkward pageant pose (hips forward, shoulders back, one foot in front of the other — looked slightly painful) and, most of all, smiled to hide their terror during the swimsuit segment.
"She was scared to death," said Mike O'Steen, husband of Mrs. South Jordan, Alyson O'Steen.
How in the world could he tell? She was up there smiling away, looking to all the world like she was having a great time.
"She kept licking her teeth and her lips," he said. "She dreaded (the swimsuit competition) more than anything. She kept saying, 'Four children and I'm supposed to look good in a swimsuit.' "
The "Mrs." version of the traditional beauty pageant is considerably more low-key than the more well-known unmarried version. There weren't more than 150 people in the crowd, almost all contestant family and friends.
But certain traditions carry through. There was lots of hugging and kissing. Much use of the words "incredible" and "amazing" and "beautiful." And, of course, when Mrs. Riverdale, Heather Hansen, was crowned Mrs. Utah America 2000, tears.
"This was my wife's biggest dream," her jubilant husband, Jason, said. "Her mom died seven years ago and she found herself through this pageant."
It may seem odd for a married woman with children to compete in a beauty pageant, especially given the fact that she has to come up with a $650 entry fee and gowns and swimsuits that can run into the thousands.
But dig into it a little bit and you find, perhaps surprisingly, meaning.
"I've always thought, 'What are you trying to prove here?' " Mike O'Steen said. "But I have to tell you, in the past year (Alyson) has grown so much. This was kind of a goal for her, to get back in shape and increase her self-esteem. She spent a lot of time in the gym. It really has been great for her."
Fifty percent of the contestants' score was based on an interview with four judges, wherein their poise and conversational ability were judged. Twenty-five percent was the swimsuit competition, and the remaining 25 percent on evening gown.
Some contestants took their losses hard, weeping as they visited with family after the pageant. Others were rather cheerful, enjoying the experience.
"It was wonderful," said Mrs. Magna, Elaine George, at 42 one of the oldest contestants (most were in their 20s). "I let out a sigh of relief" when her name was not included in the five finalists, she said.
George entered the competition on a bit of a lark less than three weeks ago at the urging of her 19-year-old daughter. The contestants did not have qualifying contests — they submitted an application.
"We rarely turn anyone away," pageant co-director Diane Ritter said.
And now that it's all over, particularly the dreaded swimsuit competition, what now?
"Chocolate," said co-director Tana Harrington.
Hansen will go on to the Mrs. America pageant in Honolulu. The last Mrs. Utah, Starla Stanley, won Mrs. America and Mrs. World. Runner-up Jacqueline Thompson took her place as Mrs. Utah.
E-mail: alan@desnews.com