Miss USUE
The contestants for this year’s pageants included; Caitlin Campbell, Gabby Comstock, Annabelle Hooper, Sophie Jensen, Amber Kaminsky, Mekayla Recla, and Irylan Tomlinson. Each contestant took their turn in the pageant to showcase their strengths within the three phases of competition.
On March 25th, 2023, the Miss USU Eastern Pageant was hosted in the Geary Event Center in Price, Utah, on the Utah State Eastern Campus. Last year Brooklyn Ward was crowned Miss USU Eastern for the 2022-23 years and was able to hand her crown over to the new Miss USU Eastern winner, Irylan Tomlinson.
The contestants for this year’s pageants included; Caitlin Campbell, Gabby Comstock, Annabelle Hooper, Sophie Jensen, Amber Kaminsky, Mekayla Recla, and Irylan Tomlinson. Each contestant took their turn in the pageant to showcase their strengths within the three phases of competition.
These categories included showcasing a talent, an evening gown pattern to walk, as well as an on-stage question. There was a wide variety of talents performed at the pageant, but Irylan’s was a contemporary dance which raised awareness for human trafficking and domestic violence.
“Based on some things that I’ve experienced and seen in my home town and in my life, choosing to dance to raise awareness for human trafficking and domestic violence is something I am very passionate about,” she said when asked about what the dance meant to her, “I think dance is healing, and a really great way to raise awareness for things like that.”
The pageant gave each contestant an opportunity to stand for something they are passionate about, and an opportunity to create changes to support their cause. The new Miss USUE, Tomlinson, is not new to pageants. She competed in the Miss Utah pageant, placing third attendant this past February.
“Pageants are super empowering and allow you to figure out your strengths and utilize those,” Tomlinson explained. “They teach you so much more than just how to walk in a pretty dress.” She is grateful for this opportunity and is excited for what’s to come this year as she wears the crown as Miss USU Eastern.
In stepping down from the position, Brooklyn posted a picture on the Miss USU Eastern Instagram page. Part of the caption reads: “I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities this title and this school have offered me. I want to give an enormous thank you to Mia and Nicole [attendants for the 2022-23 Miss USU Eastern Pageant], these girls are true gems and I’m lucky to know them and humbled to serve alongside them.”
