Sierra Vista Company

It was Saturday evening, 27 July, and the 2002 Miss Sierra Vista Pageant had settled into its programmed script.  The pageant-going crowd was festive and all indications were that this was shaping up to be a safe, uneventful evening.  Even the Rangers working the event were starting to enjoy watching the bevy of beautiful contestants. 

The Rangers, providing both personal security and emergency medical services for Miss Arizona and Miss Sierra Vista, were at their posts backstage and in the auditorium.  On cue, Sierra Vista Company Commander, CPT Mike Dennis, with Miss Arizona on his left, proceeded to escort her onto the stage.  The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause for Laura Lawless, the 23-year old Arizona State University law school student, recently crowned Miss Arizona 2002.  She paused, waved, slowly walked across stage, and headed to her dressing room. 

Shortly afterwards, the call came to LT Joe Santos, Deputy Commander, and leader of the Sierra Vista Company Emergency Medical Services Team, that Miss Arizona was feeling ill. 

Providing medical support is not new for the Sierra Vista Company as it has supported not only Miss Sierra Vista, but also other dignitaries like Miss America during her 2001 three day visit to Sierra Vista.   

The signs were clear.  She was slightly febrile with lower right quadrant abdominal pain, point tenderness, and rebound pain.  Miss Arizona had a “hot” and “acute” belly.

She most certainly does!

After discussing the findings with the Miss Arizona pageant representatives and her escort, the decision was made to take Laura to Sierra Vista Regional Health Center.  The only problem, Laura did not want to leave the pageant.  It was her intent to remain for the entire event, perform as planned, and help crown the new Miss Sierra Vista.

There was no doubt in LT Santos’ mind that Miss Arizona needed to go to the Health Center.  When she again appeared on stage to begin her piano performance, LT Santos contacted the Emergency Department and informed them of the plan to transport Miss Arizona to their facility.  The decision had been made.  She was leaving the pageant immediately after her performance.  LT Santos, a health care provider at the Health Center, arranged for an ambulance from the local Fry Fire District for the transport.

Medic One from Fry Fire arrived on scene shortly after the call.  On the ambulance crew that evening was Ranger (LOA) Brian Zazueta who would later assume care from LT Santos.

Miss Arizona had now concluded her performance and was conducting an on stage interview with a television news personality from KVOA TV in Tucson.  As soon as she was off the stage, CPT Dennis whisked her to the waiting ambulance. 

After another set of vitals were taken and transmitted to the Health Center, Ranger Zazueta initiated the transport.

After an initial evaluation in the Emergency Department, responsibility for the care of Miss Arizona was handed over to CPT Oren Lamm, Sierra Vista Company member, State Secretary, and local surgeon.

State and local pageant representatives as well as her Ranger detail sat in the surgical waiting room late into the night and early morning.  At 0130, Sunday morning, 28 July, CPT Lamm, electing a  laparoscopic procedure,  removed an inflamed appendix from the abdomen of Miss Arizona. 

CPT and Mrs. Dennis and LT Santos visited Miss Arizona later that morning in her room.  Numerous pictures were taken at her at bedside which, as promised, will be closely guarded.  CPT Dennis presented Laura with a Ranger belt buckle and uniform patch.  The Company will also honor her at a later date by bestowing upon her the title of Honorary Ranger.

Miss Arizona expressed her gratitude and thanks for their concern and most especially for the involvement of the Sierra Vista Company.  “I can never forget Sierra Vista and the Rangers,” she stated.

Everyone then bid Laura a fond “we’ll see you later” as all headed for breakfast while Miss Arizona would have to be content with her bag of IV fluids.