Contestants, friends, family and judges gathered again at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City Thursday for the second of four days of competition at the Miss Utah 2015 pageant.
The 51 contestants competed in the areas of talent, onstage question, evening wear and swimsuit.
Miss Rocky Mountain Jessica Jensen won a swimsuit preliminary award, while Miss Sandy Lizzy Palmatier took home the evening's preliminary talent award.
Three contestants were also recognized for their participation in the Miss Utah Organization's Power 2 Become shoe drive.
Power 2 Become is an organization that works to provide relief to the people of Burkina Faso, and this year's Miss Utah contestants were asked to collect at least 1,000 pairs of shoes to help with that mission. The shoes will be used for fundraising efforts that will translate into clean water, food and education for the people of Burkina Faso.
Miss Cache Valley Morgan Flandro collected 6,579 pairs of shoes, taking third place out of the 51 contestants. Miss Riverton Amber Baron collected 9,280 pairs of shoes, taking second place, and Miss Utah County Lauren Wilson collected 10,582 pairs of shoes, taking first place and winning an all-expense paid trip to Africa to help with charity efforts there.
On April 18, the Miss Utah contestants joined other titleholders across the nation for the first Miss America Serves national day of service. The projects completed at Utah's day of service went to Primary Children's Hospital, which is the area's local Children's Miracle Network hospital.
Miss Utah Valley University Madison Tormey was recognized for raising the most money for the Children's Miracle Network — the Miss America Organization's national platform — as part of that day of service, and was awarded a $200 scholarship.
The final night of preliminary competition will be held on Friday. On Saturday, the field of 51 girls will be narrowed down to the top 10, with an eleventh contestant chosen via a People's Choice competition held prior to that evening's events.
A new Miss Utah will be crowned Saturday.