Introducing Miss USU 2022: Emily Lundquist
On April 11, Utah State University student Emily Lundquist was crowned Miss USU 2022 during the annual Miss USU pageant.
Lundquist entered the pageant as Miss SAA, representing USU’s Student Alumni Association, and was chosen for the crown out of 14 other contestants.
Contestants represented each of USU’s colleges: Greek life, involvement, community and diversity.
“I feel overwhelmed but so excited,” Lundquist said following the announcement. “I’m just so grateful.”
Lundquist is currently studying journalism with a social media emphasis at USU. While she’s studying on the main campus, she’s originally from Kaysville.
Outside of academics, Lundquist enjoys being outdoors, playing volleyball, Spikeball, pickleball, boating and running.
The new Miss USU said the opportunity to participate and be involved has had a positive impact on her life.
“I have seen so many opportunities come from putting myself out there,” Lundquist said. “That’s been the biggest blessing.”
Lundquist said the road has been rewarding, and not just for her, but for all of the contestants.
“All of the girls were talking about it,” Lundquist said. “We’ve all grown so much from it.”
According to Lundquist, the competition itself was stressful. The first section of the pageant was a talent portion, followed by a formal wear section, where each contestant was escorted by someone important to them and then given an opportunity to address their platform.
During the talent portion, she performed a gymnastic dance routine dressed as Spider-Man and was escorted by her grandfather.
“Before my talent, I was freaked out because I didn’t want it to go wrong. We were doing a lot of tricks,” Lundquist said. “Then, before my speech, I was worried I was going to forget or stutter my words.”
Lundquist’s platform is connection, and wanting everyone to feel as though they aren’t alone.
The first step in Lundquist’s plan to implement her platform is by creating a Miss USU Instagram account. Currently, Miss USU Eastern has one, but there is not one for the main campus.
“Social media is something I’m really passionate about,” Lundquist said. “I feel like I’ll be able to connect to a lot of people doing that.”
Lundquist also wants to create a space where local students can find ways to connect with the community.
“I want to work alongside the A-Team and Connections peer mentors to be able to get new students connected to clubs and organizations as soon as they start attending the university.”
Overall, Lundquist said being Miss USU means being a face of hope.
“I want to allow students to walk across campus feeling like they have somebody to connect with or to have somebody to connect with them,” Lundquist said.
She thanked her other contestants for all that she learned and gained from them in preparation for the pageant.
“They have become some of my best friends,” Lundquist said. “I feel like I have learned so much from each of them, and I’m grateful that I was able to learn from so many different people.”
Maycee Barrett, Miss Community in the pageant, also said it was an honor to participate in the event.
“We all put a lot of work into the pageant and I am so proud of those who received awards,” Barrett said. “They were all so deserving.”
Barrett expressed congratulations to Lundquist.
“Emily is so kind, and she will do an amazing job as Miss USU,” Barrett said.
Clara Alder, Miss USU 2021, said she was impressed with all the contestants in this year’s Miss USU pageant and is excited for Lundquist to continue the legacy of creating change and connection for students.
“I could not be more excited for such an amazing individual to take the crown and the position of Miss USU,” Alder said. “I can’t wait to see what she does.”
Sadie Stevens, the SAA traditions executive, said she is grateful to know Lundquist.
“I’ve seen the level of dedication she’s put towards everything she’s done this year, and that will carry over to being Miss USU,” Stevens said. “She will be an extraordinary asset to USU, the community and everyone she comes into contact with as Miss USU 2022.”
USU senior Emily Hill attended the pageant and said Lundquist’s platform resonated with her.
“She seemed very relatable and human which caught my attention,” Hill said. “She was very present, educated and knew not only what she was aiming for, but also why she wanted it.”
Hill said it’s nice to know that USU will still be moving forward in progress after she graduates this semester.
“There are a lot of opportunities for different people to get involved,” Lundquist said. “I feel like wherever you go, no matter who you are, you can always fit in. That’s my favorite part of being an Aggie.”
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Featured photo by: Katera Barlow
-Jared.Adams@usu.edu