Miss UVU crowned Miss Utah 2011
Danica Olsen smiles at the audience before answering her on-stage question.
For a second year in a row, Miss Utah is a Wolverine. Danica Olsen, a junior Communications major from Tooele, Utah and current Miss UVU was crowned Miss Utah at the 75th Annual Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant. In the weeklong pageant held on June 20-25, Olsen competed against 50 other women from all over the state. The crown was handed down from Christina Lowe, Miss Utah for 2010, who also held the title of Miss UVU back in 2008.
For the next year, Olsen will put her academic career on hold to travel the state and the country promoting her service platform, “Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness” and acting as an official spokesperson for the Child Protection Registry. She will also serve as an ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network, the official service platform of the Miss America Pageant. She will also compete in the Miss America Pageant, held in Las Vegas, NV in January of 2012
Olsen stood out among the other competitors. While other women wore their hair down in curls that often hid their faces, Olsen tied her hair back in a ponytail, allowing the judges and audience to see her bright smile. For the talent portion of the preliminary competition, Olsen danced to a modernized version of “Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra. Her black evening gown was one of the few “mermaid-cut” dresses in the competition, which she pulled off with ease.
After the first night of preliminary competition, Olsen felt confident about her performance. “I feel great,” she said. “I’m ready to go forward with more charisma and strength.” Never forgetting that she represents the university, Olsen showed off her school pride during the “Show Me Your Shoes” event held on Monday, June 20. Olsen sported white Go-Go boots with the letters UVU written in white and green sequins. “I was really proud to wear UVU on those boots,” she said.
While being Miss Utah, Olsen will receive free housing at Wolverine Crossing complex located across from campus and a new car, donated by Murdock Motors. After completing her yearlong term as Miss Utah, Olsen will return to her studies with a $10,000 scholarship.
The first runner up to Olsen was Miss Pioneer Valley McKenna Wheeler, who will receive a $3,000 scholarship. The second runner up was Miss Davis County Ciera Pekarcik, who will receive a $1,500 scholarship.