Sanpete County was well represented in the finals at the Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen (MUOT) Competition on Saturday, as two representatives from the county advanced to the Top 16 to compete for the job of Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen.
Lakely Brotherson of Wales and Noelle Condie of Gunnison were selected out of 42 candidates to advance to the coveted “Top 16” of the competition for a chance to win the crown.
Ultimately, Brotherson went on to place fourth runner-up and was also a preliminary fitness winner. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Condie will receive a $250 scholarship.
“We are so proud of Lakely and Noelle,” Abby Ivory, director of the Miss Sanpete County organization, said. “Their hours of preparation really paid off. It was absolutely thrilling to have not one, but two girls from Sanpete in the finals.”
Landing a spot in the Top 16 is not easy. Candidates compete in preliminary competitions of fitness, private interview, talent, evening wear, and onstage question. In a competitive field of 42 candidates, being selected to compete during the finals is a significant accomplishment. The last time Sanpete had a candidate in the Top 16 was in 2017.
Brotherson said that she is very happy with how well she did. She said that she put it all out there and did the best that she knew how.
“Pageants aren’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure,” she said. “There is a lot of time and hard work in preparing, but the reward is not only the scholarships you earn but the things that you learn about yourself and the confidence that you gain as you put yourself out there to speak and perform in front of others.”
The Miss Sanpete County’s Outstanding Teen is part of the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization, which encourages positive achievement in young women between 13 and 17 years of age, to nurture and build scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living, and community involvement.
“No matter where our candidates live, they have a place to thrive, grow and feel like the winners they are at Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen,” said Amy Rasmussen, director of MUOT. “Year after year, we welcome young ladies from across the state to become the best versions of themselves and represent the hometowns they love. We’re all about making dreams come true!”
