Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Larsen.
Hi Lindsey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was extremely shy. I couldn’t order my own food at a restaurant, I hated raising my hand in class, and would get social anxiety anytime I had to talk to someone. In addition to being shy, I was also bullied for a sweating condition I have called hyperhidrosis.
My biggest dream was to be like the princesses I saw at my hometown parade and on my recreation center’s wall, but I never thought that was possible for me. When I was fourteen, I had a group of friends that were competing in the Miss America Organization. I saw them serve their cities, make positive changes, earn scholarship dollars, and gain personal development skills. I knew I wanted to gain similar skills as my friends, so I started competing.
Because of this organization, I have had opportunities to speak in front of hundreds, serve those in need, make big impacts in my community, reach personal goals, make life-long friends, and earn over $20,000 in scholarships to pay for my higher education. I currently hold the job of Miss Utah and get to spend the year being a public servant to the state. I am so grateful that I took that leap of faith to start competing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy! I had to work really hard on my social and public speaking skills. Countless hours were put into practicing interviews and speaking in front of crowds to help me become comfortable and confident. There were moments during my journey when I felt like quitting. When I competed for my first title, I didn’t win right away.
I received third runner-up which I was extremely grateful for but was also a little disappointed that I didn’t take home the crown. I didn’t let that initial failure stop me from reaching my goal. I tried out again and received the title. I view failures as opportunities to grow. Failures allow us to examine what didn’t work out or went off track and what we can do to be better.
The failures, perseverance, and hard work truly paid off and have ultimately launched me to become Miss Utah. I would not be where I am today if I didn’t have setbacks, an incredible support system, and a work ethic. I believe that you can achieve any goal in your life if you put in the effort. If you want to witness success in your life, you have to come out of the shell of your comfort zone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a student at the University of Utah studying ballet and kinesiology. Dance has been a huge part of my life as I have been dancing since I was four years old. Dance has taken me to stages in Utah, Washington, Arizona, and Hawaii.
I have hopes of becoming a professional ballerina, artistic director of a ballet company, and ballet teacher which is something I currently do. Both my scholarship dollars and the personal development skills that I gained from the Miss America Organization have helped launch me into my future.
As Miss Utah, I get to serve across the state and advocate for causes that I am passionate about. The name of my Social Impact Initiative is “The MOVEMENT Movement- bettering mental, physical, and emotional health in all people through movement and physical activity.”
My Initiative focuses on three main objectives: providing individuals with information on why daily movement is important for us, helping individuals find healthy ways to get them moving, and teaching movement-based activities that they can incorporate into their daily routines.
My work heavily focuses on students in schools, with an emphasis on brain breaks or movement-based activities for the classroom. My message has reached over 1,000 students across Utah and I hope to reach more this year. Because of my background of being a ballet teacher to many students of all ages, I truly believe I have the power to relate and connect with our youth.
I also do a lot of work within the special needs community as a Special Olympics DanceSport Coach. I have loved getting to help these students build a love for dancing and watch their self-esteem grow.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Pre-pandemic statistics note that seventy-two percent of ballet company artistic directors are male. I want to be one of the few women who break the glass ceiling on this statistic. Women always deserve a seat at the table and I hope to serve as a role model to my dance students and to all female dancers to never let gender stop them from reaching their goals. Hopefully, we will see some shifts in these statistics in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: missutah.org
- Instagram: @missamericaut
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissAmericaUT
- Youtube: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjInIfymMj5AhVxk4kEHRXDDUwQwqsBegQIBRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DHaI0jET2BHY&usg=AOvVaw1gO9ARuJ3cD-_cRFsP2BcT
