First Chinese American wins Miss Utah pageant

Sarah Sun is officially the first Chinese American to be crowned Miss Utah. Sun entered the Miss Utah 2023 competition as Miss Aspen Hills and won the state title on Saturday, June 10.

According to ABC 4, the competition began on Thursday, June 8, and concluded Saturday evening. Forty-seven contestants were judged in five different categories: private interview, onstage conversation, health and fitness, evening gown, and talent. Sun is a classical pianist and performed “La Campanella” for the talent portion.

The new Miss Utah is currently a student at Brigham Young University, where she is studying music and international strategy and diplomacy, FOX 13 News reports. Her goal is to pursue a Juris Doctorate (a law degree) or an MBA from Harvard University.

“So my goal is to share love and light to those who are struggling and to show that anybody can achieve their dreams regardless of whether or not they fit into a mold,” Sun told FOX 13 News.

Sun will receive over $10,000 in scholarships. The Miss Utah Organization gave $70,000 in scholarships to contestants this year.

Each Miss Utah winner develops their own initiative to help the community. Sun’s initiative is “Reducing Recidivism Through Art Education,” ABC 4 reports. Its goal is to use art education to reduce the chance that an inmate released from prison will re-offend and return to prison.

“I’m so excited to serve because I don’t see this as a crown, but as a mission to help people and to love people,” Sun said during her speech to the other candidates at the afterparty, ABC 4 reports.