Elizabeth Stevens was surprised when she found out she was given the U.S. Coast Guard District 13 Enlisted Person of the Year award.

“I didn’t think I was going to win,” Stevens said.

The Enlisted Person of the Year award is designed to recognized members of the Coast Guard whose conduct on and off duty reflect honor, respect and devotion to duty.

Following the announcement late last month proclaiming her as the representative for the district, which covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, she had two words to say.

“Mom said all I could say is, ‘Get out!’” she said.

The 26-year-old petty officer, with shoulder-length brown hair and not much taller than 5 feet, personifies energy and enthusiasm, especially when talking about being selected for the honor, and even more so when the subject is pitching. Hers was the best throw of the representatives of five branches of the armed forces at a Seattle Mariners’ “Salute to Armed Forces Night” April 1.

“I just nailed it,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye and a big smile.

The game wasn’t televised, so Stevens had to wait until District 13 Commander Admiral John P. Currier, who was on the field with her, praised her pitch. He sent an e-mail to colleagues, calling her “the laser” and saying he would never again use the phrase “throw like a girl.”

“It was the coolest thing in the world,” Stevens said.

She may be the only person surprised at her success, either on the mound at Safeco Field or as a member of the Coast Guard and the local community.

Stevens, who has been in the Coast Guard for six years, is the lead petty officer at Group Air Station North Bend’s medical clinic.

“I always wanted to join,” she said. “I like what the Coast Guard’s purpose is: If you’re in distress, we are there to help.”

Helping is more than a job description to Stevens.

Outside her normal work responsibilities, Stevens coordinated the 2007 influenza vaccination program, providing vaccinations to all of the members in Coast Guard stations from the Station Chetco River north to Station Depoe Bay.

She has participated, with fellow guardsmen, in the Relay of Life. She organized an American Red Cross blood drive, coordinated a team in the Roseburg to Coos Bay road race to raise money for a summer camp for children living with cancer and, in 2006, was the assistant coach for the Marshfield High School girls’ tennis team.

“All those outside activities, it just represents the Coast Guard well,” Clinic Administrator and person responsible for her nomination Scott Heverly said. “I think it’s an honor for North Bend that she was selected.”

As the clinic’s leading petty officer, Stevens oversees five other employees and can fill in almost every job in the clinic.

“I think that is the best feeling in a job,” Stevens said. “I couldn’t ask for a better work place.”

Before joining the North Bend Air Station, Stevens spent a few years on drug, fishing and immigration patrols. She loves her job now, but does miss being on the ocean. It’s is a long time in small quarters and with the same people, but also an opportunity to make life-long friendships.

“That’s your new life,” she said of spending months on the ocean. “You eat, sleep the job. You’ve got to make your own fun.”

The people she served with on patrol are in different parts of the country now, but she still maintains those relationships.

“You don’t lose contact with those people,” she said.

Stevens was transferred to the South Coast about three years ago and found with a little effort, she could find plenty to do.

“I never thought I would be a small-town girl, but I love it,” she said. “There is a lot to do here. You just have to find it.”

 Heverly said Stevens is the role model he tells other Coast Guard members to emulate.

“She is one those employees you like to have work for you,” Heverly said, adding she doesn’t require any extra motivation. “She’s going to be successful in her career. She’s got lots of personality and spunk.”

And a healthy amount of dedication. Stevens has just earned a bachelor’s degree and has applied to officer candidate school, which would allow her move from an enlisted member to an officer, an opportunity Stevens would jump at. She said she wants to make a career out of the Coast Guard.

Heverly said the Coast Guard selected it enlisted person of the year for the from the 17 District representatives. Stevens didn’t get the top honors, but for her, being in the Coast Guard and part of community activities isn’t about winning awards

“Being able to help someone — it’s a good feeling,” she said.