Miss Kansas, Sgt. Theresa Vail becomes first woman to expose tattoos at Miss America Pageant

Miss Kansas opted to change things up a bit at the Miss America Pageant, using archery as her talent and showing off her body ink.

CinemaBlend reports that Sergeant Theresa Vail, Miss Kansas, took to her blog to explain her decision to become the first woman to grace the stage not hiding her body art.

“Reference A; my platform! Empowering women to OVERCOME stereotypes and break barriers,” she explained. “What a hypocrite I would be if I covered the ink. With my platform, how could I tell other women to be fearless and be true to themselves if I can’t do the same? Now, had my platform been something entirely different, maybe the tables would be turned. Maybe. But I am who I am, tattoos and all.”

According to People, Vail crossed the stage Tuesday showing off her U.S. Army Dental Corps tattoo on her left shoulder and the Serenity Prayer, which runs down her right side.

Unfortunately for Vail, noted as an expert marksmen, she was denied the right to use a projectile weapon for her talent. Instead, she took up an old love- singing. Vail sang the beautiful opera bit “Nessun Dorma.” Vail took home the silver in her talent.