Paris Matthews Crowned Miss Utah 2024
SALT LAKE CITY (June 16, 2024) — Fifty-one of the most talented, well-spoken, community service-oriented young women competed for the job of Miss Utah on Saturday, June 15. The new Miss Utah is Paris Matthews, of Cottonwood Heights who held the title of Miss Panoramaland. Her talent was a Jazz dance medley that included music from 80’s classics. Paris will assume the job of Miss Utah and will receive $15,000 (increased this year from $10,000) in scholarships to help her pursue her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. She was also the recipient of an evening gown preliminary award ($350 scholarship) and the overall interview award ($250 scholarship).
Paris graduated Magna cum laude with her BS in Human Development Family Studies with a Child Life emphasis, with a minor in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Utah. Paris works at Primary Children’s Medical Center as a Certified Life Specialist, creating a positive experience for children through play while they are hospitalized. As a little girl, Paris was impacted when she had a hospital stay where she needed surgical intervention. Her experience inspired her to pursue a degree in the medical field and motivated her to start her own non-profit, “The Power of Play.”
Top 5 Finalists
- Miss Wasatch County, Tayler Newman placed as 4th runner up and received a $1,000 scholarship, Rookie Evening Gown Award ($250), and a Preliminary Talent Award ($350)
- Miss Utah County, Ryleigh Paulin, placed 3rd runner up and received a $2,000 scholarship and a Preliminary Evening Gown Award ($350)
- Miss Pioneer Valley, Erika Dalton placed 2nd runner up and received a $3,000 scholarship, Rookie Talent Award ($250), and a Rookie Evening Gown Award ($250)
- Miss Utah County, Jordyn Bristol placed 1st runner up and received a $4,000 scholarship and a Preliminary Evening Gown Award ($350)
Top 15 Semi-Finalists
The top 15 semi-finalists are as follows, each awarded a $500 scholarship:
- Miss Jordanelle, Alexsys Campbell
- Miss Red Rocks, Axuray Talbot
- Miss White Pine, Marisa Weiker
- Miss Heber Valley, Marianne Barrus
- Miss Springville/Mapleton, Aurelia Olson
- Miss Nebo, Glory Thomas
- Miss Southern Utah, Zoe Sewell
- Miss Davis County, Whitney Gillman
- Miss Weber County, Gracie Kay Nichols
- Miss Legacy, Maddalena Willis
A list of preliminary scholarship winners from earlier in the week can be found HERE.
Overall, Non-finalist, Special Award Winners
Overall Awards
Overall Private Interview, sponsored by Rachel Scott: Miss Panoramaland, Paris Matthews ($250 scholarship)
Overall Dancer, sponsored by Miss Utah 2019, Dexonna Talbot Bagley: Miss Legacy, Maddalena Willis ($250 scholarship)
Overall Instrumentalist, sponsored by Miss Utah 1992, Jennifer Ward Oldroyd: Miss Heber Valley, Marianne Barrus ($1,000 scholarship)
Non-Finalist Awards
Non-Finalist Private Interview: Miss Timpanogos, Natalie Edwards ($250 scholarship)
Non-Finalist Talent: Miss Greater Zion, Alyssia Johnston ($250 scholarship)
Non-Finalist Health & Fitness: Miss Greater Zion, Alyssia Johnston ($250 scholarship)
Non-Finalist Evening Gown: Miss Utah Tech University, Marie Sewell ($250 scholarship)
Special Awards
People’s Choice: Miss White Pine, Marisa Weiker (Top 15 placement and $500 scholarship)
Quality of Life, in Memory of Melissa Gray: Miss Rocky Mountain, Morgan Workman, The Gift of Movement Scholarship ($1,000 scholarship)
Miss Congeniality, selected by Class of 2024: Miss White Pine, Marisa Weiker ($250 scholarship)
HundredX Top Fundraiser: Miss Pleasant Grove, Kennadie Austin ($500 scholarship)
American Heart Association Top Fundraiser: Miss Garfield County, Aubree Hughes
Most Ad Sales: Miss Golden Spike, Jacelynn Rose