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ST. GEORGE — A self-proclaimed tomboy who had to learn how to do makeup before competing in her first pageant in 2009 is now representing Utah in the Miss America Pageant.
St. George resident Krissia Beatty is a senior studying communications at Dixie State University and is the first Miss Utah from Southern Utah, according to DSU public relations coordinator Jyl Hall. Beatty said she is a tomboy and had to take makeup lessons before she began competing in the Miss Utah Outstanding Teen Pageant, a sister program to Miss Utah.
"I just entered for fun," Beatty said. "My friends were doing it, I had a dress and I can play a piano, so I decided to try it."
After competing in the teen pageant for two years, Beatty went on to win Miss Washington County in 2011 and Miss Dixie in 2012, Hall said. Beatty wanted to win the Miss Utah title as well, so in 2014, she entered the Miss Nebo Pageant, which is open to experienced contestants living anywhere in Utah. She was crowned Miss Utah on June 20 and is now competing for the 2016 Miss America.
"It has been surreal, but it has been the best experience of my life," Beatty said before leaving for the competition. "My favorite part has been meeting people from every standing in life."
Beatty served in student government as the public events chairwoman and gave public tours of the DSU campus as a student ambassador, so she has had a lot of experience with leadership and public speaking, Hall said. As a classically trained pianist, Beatty will play the piano for her talent during the Miss America Pageant.
Beatty's platform, "Live Well — Change the Focus," promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages people to eat healthy, exercise and "be well."
"This is everything I want for my life," she said. "I want to be dedicated to serving. I want to help others. I want to give hope. This is the best way I know how to do this."
The Miss America Pageant is being held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It began Tuesday and runs until Sunday. People can vote for Beatty by posting to Twitter or Facebook and including the word "Utah" and the hashtag #missamericavote. Votes will be accepted each day until Thursday.