(Courtesy of Mina Brunson)
Several Brigham Young University students competed at the Miss Utah organization's 100th anniversary from June 18-20, 2026.
Miss Utah is a registered 501(c) 3 and a part of the Miss America opportunity. The organization is dedicated to empowering women through scholarships and service initiatives.
Throughout the state of Utah, more than $250,000 is awarded annually in scholarships through the Miss America organization. Areas of competition that contestants are scored on in local and state pageants include a private interview, talent, health and fitness, evening wear and on-stage question.
The 100th crowned Miss Utah and winner of a $15,000 scholarship was Erika Dalton, formally Miss Nebo. Competing alongside her were many BYU students, four of whom were named semifinalists (Top 15) and two of whom advanced to the finals (Top 5).
The BYU semi-finalists were Elle Miller (Miss Liberty Belle), Jaylynn Lindley (Miss Provo), Mina Brunson (Miss Aspen Hills) and Lilia Tavares (Miss Timpanogos). The finalists were Elle Miller and Jaylynn Lindley.
Lilia Tavares, pre-nursing BYU student and semi-finalist at Miss Utah, shared that competing at Miss Utah 100 was an amazing celebration because not many organizations make it to that age.
“All of the women that came before us in the past 100 years have really built up this platform to the height that it is now,” Tavares said. “It is because of them that we are all standing here at the top of it looking out through Utah and it’s such a beautiful experience.”
BYU human development student and winner of the Non-Finalist Private Interview award at Miss Utah, Whitney Wilkins, had never followed the Miss America organization until winning her title as Miss American Fork in the summer of 2025.
Wilkins said that all of the past Miss Utah’s that she got to see and meet are great role models and mentors to follow.
“I have seen how this program has changed their lives and have reflected on how much I have grown in both confidence, my interview skills and being able to stand up for a cause,” Wilkins said. “It’s incredible to be part of that legacy and to see what this program has done for people and see what it’s doing for me.”
The titleholders all shared that preparing for Miss Utah is no easy feat. It takes months of preparation for every aspect of the week-long experience.
BYU Ballroom Dance Company member and public relations student, Mina Brunson was a Miss Utah semi-finalist and winner of the Rookie Talent and Rookie Evening Wear awards.
She explained that she was the first ballroom dancer to perform with a partner at the Miss Utah competition, a rule that took effect recently.
Brunson's dance partner was her fiancé, and the pair performed a Latin dance to a Michael Jackson tribute.
“Two or three months prior to the actual competition, I got a brand new routine choreographed for my talent piece and spent multiple hours practicing that during the week with my partner,” Brunson said.
Brunson also prepared in an "unorthodox way" by going on an extended tour with BYU Ballroom, where she got to dance and serve in both London and India. She got back a week before she competed at Miss Utah.
"It was nice to step away for a while and be able to do the service aspect and get reminded of why what we do in pageantry is so important, which is to help and serve other people," Brunson said.
Tavares shared that she runs her talent, Olympic weightlifting, at least 100 times before bringing it to the stage. Being a veteran at Miss Utah helped her to know how to best prepare.
“The mental and emotional preparation has been the biggest piece of the pie. I came into the competition making sure that I am confident. I know exactly who I am — I know why I’m doing it,” Tavares said.
While the competition is important, the titleholders shared that nothing is better than the friendships and experiences that they gain through the week and their year of service.
“At first, it’s a little daunting because these are some of the most incredible women that are so successful and service-oriented," Wilkins said. "To be able to all become friends and to support each other in such a stressful environment is so special and helps bring you closer together."
Competing at Miss Utah is only a small fraction of what happens throughout the year for local titleholders. Some of their responsibilities include educating others about their service initiative, attending local events and participating in service projects together.
While balancing the role of titleholder and full-time student can be difficult, many find it fulfilling and have learned to allocate their time accordingly.
“Luckily, my time as a titleholder and being a student go hand in hand because my community service initiative has a lot to do with what I’m learning in school,” Tavares said. “In serving the community and teaching them CPR, I’m actually learning a lot about my classes that I’m taking as a pre-nursing student.”
Brunson shared similar thoughts saying that being able to combine all of her many roles has helped her to be successful. She has been able to use her passion for dance to serve in elementary schools as a titleholder and throughout the world while on the ballroom team.
“Finding ways to combine different parts of your life is important — I can be a student, but I can also be a BYU ballroom dancer and a titleholder that serves and does all the things,” Brunson said.
The crown brings a lot of opportunities and sometimes pressure to be the best version of one’s self. But titleholders have found purpose through their service in the community and the scholarships that they have received.
“It’s a little nerve-racking, but also very humbling to see that I can make a difference. The crown was just a springboard to that — no one needs a crown to serve or to make a difference,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins said that her experiences have helped her connect with her community.
“My title has helped me to get more into my community and see how invested everyone is and the difference that we can make. It is really motivating to go forward and to continue the work that I have started," Wilkins said.
Local pageants take place throughout the year and Miss Utah is typically held in June. However, one can find titleholders at various events serving and making a difference in their communities.