LINDSEY LARSEN Miss Utah 2023

“WHY DO YOU EVEN WANT TO BE MISS UTAH?” This is a question I have been asked many times throughout my journey in the Miss Utah program. From sisterhood, scholarships, and personal development opportunities to sparkly crowns and gorgeous gowns, how could you not want to be a part of a program that has an iconic history so deeply rooted in empowering women to become the best versions of themselves? However, my answer remains the same, through all the fun sparkly things, my purpose as Miss Utah is not to impress, but to impact.

At 1:00pm on a sunny Saturday in February, I rallied alongside the Utah County community at a fundraising event for a boy with a rare form of terminal brain cancer. The event’s mission was to raise awareness and funds for research on a cure. As I walked into the elementary school doors, I stood before carnival games, concessions, a local news station covering the event, and mascots from all over the state. A volunteer pulled me aside to tell me about another young girl who had also recently been diagnosed with cancer. She expressed to me that this young girl didn’t feel beautiful since losing her hair due to the treatment she was receiving. I nervously approached this young girl and her family, unsure of what I could say to possibly uplift them in such an unimaginably hard time.

“Hello, my name is Lindsey. It’s nice to meet you! What is your name?” She read the bold letters on my sash, looked at the sparkly object pinned atop my head, and gave a small smile. After a few moments of introductions, I told her how beautiful I thought her freckles were and how she had a sparkly glow to her. She once again gave a soft smile. “I only allow very certain people to try on my sash. Would you like to try it?” I asked. She nodded, and I draped my sash over her. With a smile, she tapped her mom’s arm while saying, “Mom, will you take a picture of me?” Her mother looked confused but agreed to snap a photo. I explained to her that I had to take my sash back, but expressed that because of her courage and kindness, she always wore an invisible crown and sash.

We exchanged a hug, and she waved goodbye. The same volunteer who had initially told me about this girl approached me with tears in her eyes. She told me that little girl had refused to get her picture taken since her diagnosis, and I broke down in tears. All of my worries of, “Have I done enough?” or “Am I a good Miss Utah?” disappeared because none of that mattered. I was once again reminded that God placed me in this role not to impress, but to impact. My year as Miss Utah was led by Maya Angelo’s famous quote, “People may forget what you said, they might forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Creating Impact Through Movement

The popular 80s movie, Footloose, filmed in my hometown of Lehi, illustrates the importance of dance in our communities. Actor Kevin Bacon, portraying Ren McCormack, said, “There is a time to mourn and a time to dance, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life.” I affirm that dance and movement are a way of celebration and a way of life. This is a lifestyle I have instilled in others across the state of Utah.

Our bodies were designed to move, and recently, we have engineered movement right out of our lives. In 2021, a study done by the Utah State Department of Health found that only 16.8% of students in Utah are reaching sixty minutes of daily physical activity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the U.S. are limiting physical education time in order to catch students up from what they missed. Additionally, according to the CDC, only 53.3% of adults in the U.S. meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. It has been my mission to get people excited about moving in order to improve these statistics.

Through my advocacy work, I have visited dozens of Utah schools, spoken to more than 2,000 students, and partnered with organizations like the

Utah County Health Department, B3 Powered by Select Health, and the American Heart Association. I released “Move with Miss Utah” brain break videos on my website as resources for anyone to utilize at school, work, home, anywhere. During one particular school visit, I will never forget hearing the students cheer from excitement when they played against me (and probably beat me) in a game of active rock, paper, scissors. Seeing our youth get excited about movement instilled hope in me that this next generation will create long term healthy habits which will carry over into adulthood.

In a world that is dominated by depression, social pressure, and negativity, movement provides a relief for all to use, regardless of gender, race, or other demographic characteristics. Various studies have shown that movement improves our ability to cooperate and increases our level of acceptance and respect towards others. Perhaps the most admirable quality of movement, however, is the ability to unite humanity as one. Like Ren McCormack from Footloose, I will forever use dance and movement as a way of celebrating life. I am excited to continue the efforts of The MOVEMENT Movement into my future endeavors because I truly believe that when we move our bodies, we move to change ourselves, our cultures, and our communities.

TO THE CLASS OF 2023, you are entering a new era of Miss America. You are a piece of this new legacy. Approach Miss Utah Week not as a competition, but as an opportunity to grow. You have earned your spot to be here. Now, all you need to do is press play and show what YOU have to offer.

TO THE NEXT MISS UTAH, this year will challenge and change you in so many ways. Remember that this opportunity isn’t about you. It’s about how you can impact. “Know what sparks the light in you, then use it to illuminate the world.” Being in a position like this, you are subject to many eyes, opinions, or expectations. It will be easy to question if you can do the task ahead, but don’t doubt your greatness. You are here for a purpose. All of the hard moments are helping you to be a role model to those around you and to become the best you that you can be. As Coldplay said, “Under this pressure, / under this weight, / we are diamonds taking shape.” And as cliché as it sounds, it holds so much truth. Soak up every moment because one year flies by!

It is so hard to believe this magic is coming to a close. In reflecting on my year as Miss Utah, what comes to mind are all of the people I have met and the people who supported me not only as Miss Utah, but also as Lindsey. Behind every strong woman is an army of impactful individuals who have helped, up-lifted, and supported her. THANK YOU to my beehive of incredible people who have helped make this dream possible.

THANK YOU to the Miss Utah Board for believing in me, inspiring me, and always being there for me. To my directors - Madison, Whitney, Carly, and Nikkithank you for the words of wisdom you have given me and your love and support. I want to be just like each of you. I love you all so much. My dear travel companions Julie and Dawn, I am so grateful for our adventures together! You made every event more magical.

THANK YOU to any Miss Utah state and local volunteers for sacrificing your time to empower women like me and hundreds of other young women across the state. THANK YOU to my Miss Lehi and Miss Utah County board members - Cheri Erikson, Kate Daly, Nicole Revill, Angelica Salazar, Diane Daly, Shelby Revill, Destry Russell, Sami Smith, Sally Simpson, Shirley Larsen, and Nicole Johnson for setting up mock interviews, giving me advice on my wardrobe, supporting me, loving me, and seeing my potential. You are the reason I am here. I am forever indebted to you.

THANK YOU to my amazing Miss Utah Sponsors: Murdock Hyundai, Chad Braithwate and Faces Photography, Ottalaus Salon, Regalia Magnificent Apparel, Ruvi, Rachel Parcell, listener, caption helper, to best friend and mom. I am me because of you. I love you both. Blaine, Madee and Ivie, thanks for attending competitions, going to dress stores, and being there. Alex, from being my constant supporter, listener, and encourager, you are the greatest boyfriend ever. Much love to you. THANK YOU to my friends and family.

Beaches Tanning, Ferrel Ann Photo, VASA and my trainer Danna, The Showroom, Photos by Greg, Veronica Michaels, Makeup by Samantha J, River Bridge Event Center, Minky Couture, Chick-Fil-A Utah, Hazel Blues Boutique, and Haus of Aesthetics. Your support of both me and our organization means so much.

THANK YOU to the Miss Utah 2022 Judging Panel - David Clegg, Najla Amundson, Rachel Parcell, Brittany Lewis, and Daniel Ellis - for trusting in me with this opportunity.

THANK YOU to my Little Miss, Sadie Simpson and Honorary Miss Utah, Emma Cheney for making this year the most fun filled year! I will miss our soda runs together and am grateful for our forever friend ship. I love you both.

THANK YOU to Lyle Larsen, Graham Spedding, Jaron Winder, my forever Miss Utah sisters, Tonya and Robert from Compassion Mobility, Zoey Evans, Michaelene, Monica and Ben, Lehi City, Melanie Busath, Utah County Commissioners, Lisa Shepherd, Dave Hennessey with TURN Community Services, my Special Olympics students, my grandparents, Erin and Cyd, Holly and Easton, LaFord fam, and Ted and Glenda. Your cheering, posting, text sending, and loving support has meant the world. THANK YOU.

There are so many people to thank, so please know if you were a piece of my journey in any way, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

This year has been absolute magic. I will always cherish my time representing the beehive state and wearing Utah across my heart.

THANK YOU to my family for supporting this crazy dream. Dad, your encouragement, input, and advice is something I will always hold on to. Mom, you played so many roles in this journey. From encourager, life coach,

Signing off for the last time, I’m Miss Utah 2022, Lindsey Larsen. xoxo