Miss Greater Salt Lake

I've always been intrigued by pageants that emphasize service, scholarship, and talent...rather than beauty. One of the pageant systems that have inspired me is the Miss America organization. I found out about this system about 6 months ago and realized that I would be aging out as a contestant since you cannot be older than 24. Unfortunately, I already held the title of Miss United Nations USA and the Miss America organization will not let a local titleholder bear two crowns at once. I decided to go for it anyways, with Agnes's permission since it was for the experience anyways. As a result, my goal was not to win - since I wouldn't be willing to give up my United Nations title. But to just place as a runner-up at highest so that I could still earn scholarship money and get the most of my experience.

On March 1, 2014 - I competed in the Miss Cache Valley pageant; a competition that includes private interview, swimsuit, talent, evening gown, and on-stage Q&A. I ended up placing as 2nd runner-up and winning a $650 scholarship! What a ride! The girls that I met are truly sweet and I can't wait to cheer on the new Miss Cache Valley, Karlie Major at the Miss Utah 2014 pageant in June!

I had also turned in my application for another upcoming local Miss America pageant, called Miss Greater Salt Lake. However, since two of my fellow contestants from Miss Cache Valley were competing in this one as well, I decided to withdraw. I had already achieved my goal of placing in a local Miss America pageant, so what was the point of doing another one and possibly taking away a spot from my fellow pageant sisters? I took the money that would've been used for my fundraising requirement and donated it as a sponsor to the Miss Greater Salt Lake organization instead.

The director, Natalie O'Fallon (Hollabaugh) invited me to come make an appearance as Miss United Nations USA. I was excited to see this pageant because this is the first year that it was held. Natalie was a former local Miss America pageant titleholder and contestant that aged out of the system. She continues to be part of the program by becoming the founder of the Miss Greater Salt Lake pageant. I'm so proud of her! And proud of what she was able to pull off in the short amount of time she had.

 

It was so nice to see my Cache Valley family again. This shows how supportive they are of all of their girls. We are so proud of Amber Huggins and Alora Clark who did so great in the pageant!

One of the contestants who competed and won the 2nd runner-up award is Thelina Smith! She was trained my pageant coach, Jessica Whalen, as well! We were so impressed to see how Thelina has improved. What's really eerie is that Thelina and I were both contestant #8, wore a yellow/gold colored evening gown, and placed as 2nd runner-up in the pageants that Jessica recently coached us for. How crazy is that?!

Ran into some of my fellow pageant titleholders. So great to see them again!

Taylor Smith was one of the contestants and she is doing such great things with her platform. I'm excited to help out with her next big project...the Miss Hartvigsen pageant!

Got a chance to watch Miss Utah, Ciera Pekarcik emcee the pageant and share the story about her journey to the crown. She has a story similar to mine...persistence pays off! She competed at Miss Utah four times before finally winning the title. She also won the Miss Congeniality award at Miss America. She's worked hard for the past couple of weeks to get a bill regarding child abuse passed in the house as well. Glad I got a chance to meet her.

With two former titleholders from Miss Legacy. I adore them both!

Congratulations to the new Miss Greater Salt Lake and to all of the contestants that competed. You guys did so great! Don't ever give us and keep trying!