ST. GEORGE — On Tuesday night, the Main Stage Theater at the Eccles Fine Arts Center was ablaze with the talent of 26 Utah Tech University students as they competed for the coveted title of Trailblazer Queen. Part of Utah Tech’s D-Week, the pageant has roots that date back to 1922.
Technical difficulties didn’t stop Jimena Roque from performing on her keyboard, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Each year, the competition crowns one queen and five attendants based on criteria such as a private interview, talent, evening wear, an onstage question, academic achievement, written essay, service, and involvement, all before a panel of five judges. This design showcases the school’s commitment to making the campus and wider community a better place says an article about D-Queens through the decade.
One of those judges is Scott Mathie, a professor at Utah Tech. Mathie told St. George News that he has narrowed down his process to two big traits: involvement and service.
“We’re looking for contestants who are not only academically involved on campus but also actively give back and strive to enhance our community,” Mathie said. “It’s about finding the next Trailblazer Queen who embodies these values.”
Early Tuesday morning the judges held private interviews with each of the women where contestants pitched social impact initiatives. The pageant followed that night.
Then they crowned the queen and announced the full court:
2024 Trailblazer Queen – Allison Park
First Attendant – Angel Wood
Second Attendant – Sydney Sorensen
Third Attendant – Olivia Shoaf
Fourth Attendant – Amira Hassan
Fifth Attendant – Nicole Parkin
Sixth Attendant – Breonna Bingham
This is a different list than what was announced at the end of the pageant on Tuesday. The Utah Tech students’ Instagram revealed a “calculation error,” which meant a different queen was erroneously announced on Tuesday, along with another member of the court being absent from it.
“We sincerely apologize for the mistake and any frustration this may cause our contestants and their loved ones,” the post said.
Photo Gallery
Alaya Hillman performs the talent portion of the contest by playing her cello, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Angel Wood gave a motivational speech based on one of her newspaper columns, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Annie Muirbrook sang and played her ukulele for her talent, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Technical difficulties didn’t stop Jimena Roque from performing on her keyboard, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Nicole Parkin rode around on rollerblades as part of her dance, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Allison Park was crowned queen, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo courtesy utahtechstudents on Instagram, St. George News
Angel Wood was made first attendant, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo courtesy utahtechstudents on Instagram, St. George News
Sydney Sorensen was made second attendant, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo courtesy utahtechstudents on Instagram, St. George News
Olivia Shoaf was made third attendant, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo courtesy utahtechstudents on Instagram, St. George News
Amira Hassan was made fourth attendant, St. George, Utah, April 9, 2024 | Photo courtesy utahtechstudents on Instagram, St. George News
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