MANTI—A young woman who sparkled in a blue dress while playing the harp as her talent was named Miss Manti last Saturday, April 30 at Manti High School.
The crown, along with scholarship money, went to Anjolee Jones, daughter of Jef and Shirlyn Jones. Her harp number was “Evermore” from the movie Beauty and the Beast.
In her onstage question she was asked if she could have one talent, what would it be and why? She answered that she would speak several different languages.
“I would want to speak many languages so that I could be friends with people from all over the world and help them by spreading my platform,” she said.
For her platform she has chosen the title, “See Beyond the Mask: Mental Health, There is More than Meets the Eye.”
She wants to go into local schools and put on assemblies to make mental health a bigger topic of discussion and to let young people who struggle know there are people who want to help them.
She was selected by the other five contestants as Miss Congeniality, signifying the others regarded her as the friendliest contestant who made the biggest impact on them throughout the week of practices.
Crowned as first attendant was Alexis Christensen, daughter of Jesse and Typhena Harmon. She performed a jazz dance solo to “Castle” by Halsey for her talent.
Debbie Olsen was selected as second attendant. She is the daughter of Milt and Beck Olsen. Her platform is titled “Social media: A tool, not a crutch.”
The contestants started the night off by performing an opening number with each contestant bringing a little girl of her choice. The number was choreographed by the mistress of ceremonies, Addison Kiesel.
Kiesel, who is from Manti, was the 2021 National Miss Teen Utah. She was the MC at last year’s pageants and did such a good job that the pageant committee brought her back this year. It was also a way that she could help her mom, Breanne Keisel, who is the pageant director.
