ST. GEORGE — This Southern Utah representative is set to take the stage to compete in the upcoming Miss Utah USA pageant. And she’s poised to showcase not just her beauty but also her commitment to empowering the community through tech education and advocacy.
“I think there’s a stigma that comes with pageantry that I feel like even I had, not knowing the point or the benefit of it,” contestant Emily Camacho said. “But as I’ve trained, it’s helped me learn a lot about myself.”
On Saturday, July 6, Camacho will head to Salt Lake City to represent Southern Utah as Miss Southern Utah USA in the Miss Utah USA Pageant, which will be held at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center Jeanné Wagner Theatre.
Currently, the public can vote online. Winning the online vote guarantees participants a spot in the Top 10 at the Miss Utah USA pageant. Contestants are also judged on interviews, walks and other criteria, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process. At the time this article was written, Camacho was in first place with 804 votes.
While many women have been doing pageants their entire lives, Camacho was a newcomer to the pageant scene just six months ago. Since then, she’s been working on mastering the art of elegant walking and honing her speech delivery skills, and she said she’s excited for the opportunity to showcase what she’s learned.
Her journey to the stage began when she attended a women’s empowerment event and met a seasoned pageant coach. During their conversation, she said the coach shared invaluable insights into the intricate world of pageantry.
“It seemed like a really good opportunity for the community and even for myself,” Camacho said.
The pageant will feature a swimsuit segment and an evening gown showcase, culminating in a challenging “Spotlight Question” round. With her coach’s guidance, Camacho said she has learned to stay composed and confidently handle being put on the spot.
“I’ve been training, so to have the hard work show — and the outcome of that — is exciting,” she said. “It’s also scary to be there and sell yourself as a person, but I think I’ll grow as a person, regardless.”
Camacho noted that the talent portion has been phased out of the Miss Utah pageant, largely attributed to the evolving priorities of modern women, who often focus more on careers than traditional hobbies.
She said actively seeking sponsors to support her mission has integrated her into the community. Her platform centers on her recent graduation from an app development course. Her initiative is to help empower youth and the community at large by teaching them technological skills, such as coding.
For those intrigued by the pageant world but unsure of where to begin, Camacho suggests finding a knowledgeable coach who understands the organization’s intricacies. Navigating the various pathways and rules, such as the requirement for approval before using makeup artists from other organizations, can be crucial for aspiring contestants.
“I think sometimes we psych ourselves out, thinking we aren’t good enough, or for me, I didn’t know if I could be a role model,” she said. “But being human and having those flaws makes you a good role model. Even if I lose, I gain new experiences and meet new people.”
Winners of the Miss Utah USA competition have the opportunity to advance their mission platforms and make a significant impact. This victory is especially beneficial for Southern Utah, as it allows for advocacy on crucial regional issues.
Camacho emphasized that most winners historically come from northern Utah, highlighting the importance of Southern Utah representation on stage. She also mentioned that the entry rules in Utah are more lenient compared to other states, allowing out-of-state contestants to participate if they can provide proof of residency for at least 30 days.
To stay updated on her journey, follow Camacho on Instagram @3milycamacho. Tickets to the pageant are now available for purchase, and entry is available for all ages. Run time includes a 90-minute preliminary and 120-minute final, each with no intermission. Visit the Miss Utah USA website for more details.
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