Jen (Gulbrandsen) Robinson, a former Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen and title holder of several titles in the “Miss” program covers Lauren’s platform for the Deseret News. Read an excerpt below:
Three years ago, Lauren Wilson sat in a room with her fellow Miss Pleasant Grove hopefuls as the pageant officials asked each contestant which platform issue her year of service would be dedicated to. Wilson opened her mouth and surprised herself, as much as everyone else in the room, with what came out.
“I said, ‘suicide awareness and prevention,’ and my mom and I started crying,” said Wilson, who was crowned Miss Utah this year. “A bunch of the other girls also started crying. They all knew Sydney.”
That was Feb. 9, 2013, and only two days earlier, Wilson’s best friend Sydney Bruning had taken her life. She was 17 years old, a senior at Pleasant Grove High School, described as a well-liked, vivacious girl. Wilson, stunned by the loss of her friend, decided to throw herself into serving the community.
The 22-year-old has already made great strides in bringing awareness to this tough issue.
Continue reading at the Deseret News.