New Miss Santaquin crowned for 2013

by Spencer Healey

Kylie Jo Black was crowned as the new Miss Santaquin in front of a crowd of local support Saturday night in the Payson High School auditorium.

After a competition featuring three young ladies from the Santaquin area, Black was announced the winner. Her attendants are Brylee Biggs and Shelby Mortensen.

Black competed on a platform to help youth cope with anxiety problems, she herself having dealt with anxiety her whole life.

“I have my own anxiety, so I think if I give advice to those who need it that will help,” said Black after the pageant. “I had my dad give me advice, a lot of people don’t have that,  so giving advice will help.”

The evening pageantry had a throwback flavor throughout the night, with all three contestants performing classic numbers for the talent portion of the competition. Black, dressed in a 50s red-and-white polka-dot outfit, sang a rendition of the classic “It’s Oh So Quiet”, originally sung by Betty Hutton. Biggs donned a red flapper-style dress and danced a routine to the song “All That Jazz”. Mortensen performed a dance choreographed to the famous aria “Habanera” from the opera “Carmen”.

Mistress of Ceremonies for the night was Miss Duchesne 2012 Brittani Reinhardt, who will join Santaquin’s own 2012 queen Michaela Mecham next week at the Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant. Both queens performed the dance routines they will be competing with at the state pageant.

Miss Santaquin 2013 poses with Santaquin Mayor James DeGraffenried

In the interview portion of the pageant, the now- Miss Santaquin Kylie Jo Black, was asked what she felt was the biggest issue facing this generation.

“I think the biggest thing is drugs and alcohol at a young age,” said Black. “I think people are more focused on that than education and education is far more important.”

Surrounded by friends and family after the crowing, Black sad she was “overwhelmed, but happy” with her new role as a representative for Santaquin City. Mayor James DeGraffenried was in attendance as was Councilman Richard Payne and two former Miss Santaquin winners, Miss Santaquin 2011 Shelby Judd and Miss Santaquin 2009 Hannah (Goudy) Trevort.

Miss Santaquin 2013 Royalty | Center: Miss Santaquin Kylie Jo Black. Attendants: Left - Shelby Mortensen, Right - Brylee Biggs

When asked what she will be willing to do to help Santaquin become a better community, Black said, “As much as I can and anything I can.”