Her mother said 120 people traveled to Las Vegas to support her.

Lynne Smith, executive director for the Miss Utah Pageant, said Millar is truly remarkable.

"She's so composed. She is so well-spoken and so well-read. She was able to let those judges see who she is in a short 12-minute interview."

Smith said she supported Millar's decision to stay with a conservative wardrobe even when that meant she had to pull together new outfits at the last minute after a disagreement arose between the former director and Millar.

"I've never been the kind to think clothes or makeup make the girl. It's more about who she is," Millar said. "I was fine with it."

Before she entered the Miss Utah Pageant, Millar never wore makeup. In fact, she had to carefully watch the other Miss Utah contestants to learn how to apply it.

Because she's allergic to metals, she built her own long, diamond clip earrings.

She and her mother and a seamstress built sleeves and a bodice piece into the little black dress the pageant provided.

On stage, she transformed her talent number to a three-string arrangement after her string broke.

"I've learned you make plans and you make plans and then you adjust your plans," Millar said.

"I was actually more nervous that she might make Miss America," said Bret Millar, looking over at his wife, Rita, who agrees. "We like having her here."

"I like being home, and I'm looking forward to getting back to school," said Katie Millar, "although it's great going to elementary schools to talk about juvenile diabetes. At one school, when I was done, a little 6-year-old boy stood up and shouted, 'I have diabetes!' like it was a badge of honor. If it's even for this one little kid, It's worth it."

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