Two weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to go and compete in Miss Utah’s Teen. I, along with 39 other contestants, were competing for this new title through a series of various activities such as the interview, talent, fitness, evening wear, and answering an on-stage question.
Thursday: Interview
The first was an interview. On Thursday and Friday all the contestants go through an eight-minute interview with the panelists. In this interview they talk about their SII (social impact initiative) and resume. My SII, for example, was Let the Light In. It is about changing the world one small kind act at a time.
My interview went well — it was definitely one of the scarier portions of the competition. It was also scored as 40% of the overall performance.
Friday: Rehearsal and Talent
On Friday it was time for rehearsals. We took everything we would need for that weekend to the Covey Center, located in Provo. I left my phone with my Mom, and rehearsals began. I was pretty nervous at first, not knowing what to expect. We got into our heels (which we were in for hours) and started rehearsing the opening number. This section wasn’t scored; it was just for production and entertainment.
During this time I had the opportunity to get to know a lot of the talented, beautiful and smart young women who were all there for an experience of a lifetime. It was such a fulfilling experience to be around so many inspiring people at once.
I was also able to start off with practicing my talent. Contestants only get one run through, a chat with their coach, and then a second run through. Most definitely this was my most nerve-racking portion. Everyone in my division ran through their talents, and then we started into fitness.
Fitness was pretty fun. We all went onstage and ran through the routine together, and then did it individually. My group didn’t focus heavily on that, though, since we were just doing talent that night. After a long day of rehearsing, it was time to eat dinner, get ready, and perform.
Rehearsals Over — Time to Shine
As we lined up backstage for the opening number, nerves and excitement were at an all-time high. Everyone was hyping each other up and the energy was through the roof! We got onstage and it felt like a second home, everyone portraying nothing but confidence.
Then the madness began. We ran backstage, changed, and went on for fitness. After that, those of us went to get ready for talent, while the others performed individual fitness.
I will admit, I was insanely nervous. This would be my first time performing in front of hundreds of people and that was scary! I did, however, pull through and do pretty well. I performed “Golden Hour,” by JVKE on my violin, with a fun little twist.
Now that talent was over, I was able to relax until it was time for the parade of candidates and preliminary awards. Talent was worth 30% of the competition. So at that point I had already completed 70% of what I needed to do.
With that, the first night of the competitions came to a close, and we all got ready to do it again the next day — except this time there would be two performances in one day.
Saturday: Fitness, Evening Wear and Answering an On-Stage Question
Saturday morning I woke up and headed back to the Covey, ready to once again destroy my poor feet with heels. So many blisters! For the afternoon competition I would be doing fitness, evening wear, and answering an onstage question. The production went as it had the night before, and before we knew it, this portion was already over.
In about five hours we would know who the top 12 were. In the meantime, we just kind of sat on the stage and had discussions on what the final night would look like. We were able to have fun, dance around and just have a good time.
Saturday Evening: Awards
That evening the top 12 were announced, and the rest of us helped them with offstage things, packed up our stuff and got ready for the gala. We were then called onto the stage for the last time to announce who our next Miss Utah’s Teen would be, and it was JayLynn Lindley! You could feel nothing but happy radiating from every girl on that stage.
We then headed to the gala, which was fun, where they presented the rookie awards and a lot of the academic scholarships.
Being on that stage and performing was such a great experience. I can’t even begin to express the character growth I had that will impact my life forever. The positive energy that was spread like a wildfire was inspiring, and something I will always carry with me.
I can’t wait to finish my year as Miss Garfield’s Teen. And also, now I have 39 new friends all around the state of Utah.
Just Do It
My one piece of advice after experiencing the Miss Utah’s Teen competition, is, if you are scared of a great new experience, just do it. Because at the end of the day you are only standing in the way of yourself. And never forget to get outside of yourself and be kind.
Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point in my life, and to all of my sponsors who supported me in this journey, because it will be one I will never forget.
– by McKynlee Cottam (17) Escalante
Feature image caption: McKynlee, Miss Garfield Outstanding Teen 2022, hypes herself up for the MUOT competition in Provo.
Read about the 2024 Teen Competition in Clara Peterson Competes at Miss Utah’s Teen 2024.
McKynlee Cottam – Escalante
McKynlee Cottam is a junior writer, and sometimes editor, at The Byway. She is a senior at Escalante High School. This year she’s had the opportunity to be the school’s Student Body President and Miss Garfield’s Outstanding Teen. McKynlee loves to write about things that are going on in our county and world, as well as some fun out-of-hat pieces. She enjoys playing the violin, participating in basketball, and of course hanging out with her friends. The Byway has been a fun part of her life, and she hopes to keep contributing to it for some time!