Lauren Wilson will represent Utah at the Miss America Pageant this fall, pageant officials announced. Wilson was crowned Miss Utah 2016 on Saturday following three days of competition in Salt Lake City. The Miss America competition will be televised from Atlantic City on Sept. 11 by the ABC television network.
Among the awards the state title brings to her is a $10,000 scholarship. Earlier during pageant week, she was awarded a $1,000 Utah Valley University Leadership Scholarship because of her efforts on behalf of her pageant platform, “With Help Comes Hope: Suicide Awareness and Prevention.” She will travel throughout the year in Iowa to promote her platform, as well as serve as state ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. If she is crowned Miss America, her responsibilities will expand to the national level with some international travel.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science with a concentration in psychology at Utah Valley University. Her goal is to become a forensic psychologist.
Also finishing well at the pageant was First Runner-up Miss Orem Jesse Craig, who earned a $3,000 scholarship for finishing second, and a $100 scholarship as a preliminary talent award winner. Miss Heart of Utah JessiKate Riley earned a $1,500 scholarship for placing as second runner-up, plus a $100 scholarship as a preliminary talent winner. Miss Springville/Mapleton Madison Morrison was third runner-up, which earned her a $1,000 scholarship. Miss Roy D’Mia Lamar earned an $800 scholarship as fourth runner-up.
Other semifinalists received $500 scholarships. They are Miss Timpanogos Caitlin Woods, Miss Murray Nicole Montgomery, Miss Weber County Alix Dritlein, Miss Farmington Victoria Phillips, Miss Eastern Utah Briana Garrido, Miss Utah County Lizzy Palmatier and Miss Nebo Brynn Christensen.
Woods was also named winner of the state People’s Choice Award. Other scholarship awards included the Spirit of Miss Utah ($100) Miss Legacy Alexsys Campbell; Miracle Maker Award ($250) to Miss Orem Jesse Craig; Glenn Harman Instrumental Music Awards ($500 each) to Miss Utah County, Lizzy Palmatier and Miss Heart of Utah JessiKate Riley; the Miss America Academic Award: ($1,000) to Miss Wasatch County Valeria Jimenez; and the Miss America Community Service Award ($1,000) to Miss Lehi Caitlin Thomas.
