The 51 Miss Utah 2015 contestants wrapped up their final night of preliminary competition Friday at Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City, opening the way for the crowning of a new Miss Utah Saturday.
The contestants competed in the areas of talent, onstage question, evening wear and swimsuit.
Miss Draper Karli Bird won the night's swimsuit preliminary award, while Miss Pleasant Grove Stephanie Acerson won the talent preliminary award.
Friday night's competition also saw the awarding of the Sadie Huish Memorial Scholarship, which was created to honor the memory of a little girl named Sadie Huish, who passed away in 2009 following a 16-month battle with brain cancer.
Miss Provo Malissa Richardson was chosen by Sadie's family as the recipient of the award due to the work she has done on her chosen platform, which is titled, "The Porn Problem: Protecting Teens and Children from the Harms of Pornography Addiction."
A number of contestants were also honored Friday evening for their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. This program encourages young people to become active, positive contributors in society. Participants must develop a special skill, participate in outdoor activities and put a significant amount of effort into giving community service. Bronze medals are awarded to participants who make a 6-month commitment, silver medals to those who make a 10-month commitment and gold medals to those who make a yearlong commitment.
Miss Utah's Duke of Edinburgh Award participants were: Miss Kaysville/Fruit Heights Abbigale Williams, Miss Iron County Angelia Benson, Miss Sandy Lizzy Plamatier, Miss Greater Salt Lake Hannah Harkness, Miss Rocky Mountain Jessica Jensen, Miss Panoramaland Kassie Nielson, Miss Uintah County Kelsey Hartle, Miss Millard County Kennedy Springer, Miss American Fork Kinsey Richards, Miss Utah Valley University Madison Tormey, Miss Northern Utah County Natalie Jaco, Miss North Ogden Rose Storey, Miss Pleasant Grove Stephanie Acerson and Miss Salem Tessa Fitzgerald.
Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen Savvy Sorensen, who will be competing at Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando in August, was also recognized for her participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.
The final night of competition will take place Saturday at Capitol Theatre, when the field of 51 contestants will be narrowed down to 10, with an eleventh contestant added via the People's Choice vote. A new Miss Utah will be crowned that evening.