SALT LAKE CITY — A night of evening gowns and the fulfillment of little girls' dreams. A night of glamour, glitter and spies. Saturday night was the final competition night of the "Mission: Possible" themed Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant.
One out of 54 talented women was chosen to be crowned the next Miss Utah. The judges handed the master of ceremonies, Johnny Revill, a manila enveloped labeled "Top Secret" with the results that would change one woman's life forever.
"Drumroll please," Revill said as the audience patted their thighs with anticipation.
In the four-day competition, it was Miss Utah County, Christina Lowe, who stood out among her peers.
"It's exciting," Lowe said. "I mean, it's a lot to take in because I realize there's a lot of responsibility. It's a lot to carry."
Lowe will use the crown to generate more voting enthusiasm in the country through the campaign UVote.
"I grew up in a really patriotic home, so it was interesting to have that background," Lowe said. "My mother and my father instilled in me an appreciation for my country. With the Miss America program, (my platform) works nicely."
On Saturday night, Lowe performed and competed in a variety areas.
"As cliche as it sounds," Miss Utah 2009 Whitney Merrifield said to the 54 contestants before the competition began, "you are all winners."
In the swimsuit contest, Lowe exhibited poise and lifetime fitness in both body and mind.
For her talent, Lowe sang "I Believe" from the 2010 Winter Olympics by Nikki Yanofsky.
In the evening gown competition, Lowe first showed off her floor-length black gown with sparkling silver trim and a back that earned a double take.
Then her Little Miss protege, Bricelynn Smith, came out to escort her.
"I think the young girls need to know it's important to be comfortable in your own skin," Lowe said. "To be confident in who you are, you don't need to be big, or try to be perfect. The best person you can ever be is your best self."
e-mail: ebassett@desnews.com