Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney & Andrea Anderson
Published in 2013
Updated in 2021
Updated again in 2023
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney & Andrea Anderson
Published in 2013
Updated in 2021
Updated again in 2023
The Establishment of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
The Miss Deaf America Pageant (MDAP) was founded in 1972 by the National Association of the Deaf with the dual objectives of providing young, talented Deaf women with the opportunity to assume leadership roles in the Deaf community and conveying Deaf Awareness to the general public through the representative winner of the pageant. W. David Mortensen, known as Dave, president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, appointed Adele Sigoda as chairwoman and launched the 1979 Miss Deaf Utah Pageant committee in 1978 with those goals in mind (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
W. David Mortensen, UAD President
At the 1979 committee meeting, UAD President Mortensen proposed that the contestants have sponsors. The committee was not enthusiastic about the concept, noting logistical difficulties in bringing the girls and organizations together. This concept was renewed and given a shot in 1983. It had been a moderate success, as each girl had a sponsor in some form or another. Sponsors were highly recommended since they provided moral support, advice, and ideas that the girls could not obtain on their own (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
Adele Sigoda, the First
Chairperson of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Chairperson of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Adele Sigoda, Chairperson of the 1979 Miss Deaf Utah Pageant committee
While Dave Mortensen was assisting Adele Sigoda in the establishment of the MDUP in 1979, his Deaf daughter, Kristi, was secretly preparing to compete in the pageant as a contestant with the help of her grandmother, Maxie Christiansen, for clothing and Dora B. Laramie for talent and speaking skills. Her parents, Dave and Shanna, were completely unaware that she had entered the MDUP until a few weeks before the pageant in November. Due to a conflict of interest, Dave told Adele that he couldn't be a judge because one of the contestants was his daughter. Adele was fortunate in that she was able to locate someone to fill in for her (Kristi Mortensen, personal communication, March 28, 2009).
After winning the competition at the first Miss Deaf Utah pageant in 1979, Kristi was crowned Miss Deaf Utah. After that, the pageant was held every two years.
After winning the competition at the first Miss Deaf Utah pageant in 1979, Kristi was crowned Miss Deaf Utah. After that, the pageant was held every two years.
Kristi Mortensen, First Miss Deaf Utah in 1979
Kristi Mortensen, 1st Miss Deaf Utah, 1979
The committee meetings began in a variety of locations, including the Salt Lake County council chambers, St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden's conference rooms, and Murray's Copper Mountain Mental Health Center. The group met on a regular basis at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, and later at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville, Utah.
Adele resigned from her role at the 1981 awards ceremony in order to spend more time with her new family. Shirley Snow was named state director and Barbara Bass was named chairwoman as a result of the election (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
The majority of contestants in the first two pageants were in their early twenties and were currently enrolled in college. Most of the girls were younger at the time, having recently graduated from high school. Furthermore, the rubella epidemic caused many of them to become deaf (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
The Miss Deaf Utah Pageant raised all of the funds, and MDUP fund-raisers assisted in covering all expenditures for Miss Deaf Utah, her chaperone, and the scholarship fund (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
Eleanor Kay Kinner was honored with a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1995 for her service as MDUP State Director for two pageants.
Adele resigned from her role at the 1981 awards ceremony in order to spend more time with her new family. Shirley Snow was named state director and Barbara Bass was named chairwoman as a result of the election (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
The majority of contestants in the first two pageants were in their early twenties and were currently enrolled in college. Most of the girls were younger at the time, having recently graduated from high school. Furthermore, the rubella epidemic caused many of them to become deaf (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
The Miss Deaf Utah Pageant raised all of the funds, and MDUP fund-raisers assisted in covering all expenditures for Miss Deaf Utah, her chaperone, and the scholarship fund (The Miss Deaf Utah Story).
Eleanor Kay Kinner was honored with a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1995 for her service as MDUP State Director for two pageants.
Eleanor Kay Kinner, a State Director of Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Shirley Snow, the longest-serving State Director
of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Shirley Snow was the longest-serving State Director, with six pageants under her belt. Shirley Snow and Kristi Mortensen attended the State Directors' Meeting with MDAP officials in Kansas City in 2004, where the Miss Deaf America Program (MDAP) was launched, although deliberations were postponed until the next NAD/MDAP in California in 2006. Due to diminishing numbers of girls, there were debates in 2006 about converting Miss Deaf America to Miss Deaf Ambassador. The majority of the girls in the mainstreamed program had no idea what NAD and MDAP were.
Shirley Snow, State Director
of the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant
Andrea Garff Anderson Becomes the State Director
of the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador
of the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador
When the new changes were still being ironed out, Andrea Garff Anderson, a former Miss Deaf Idaho who had been a contestant and judge in seven other pageants, was named State Director of the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador.
Many state directors welcomed the notion of converting Miss Deaf America to Miss Deaf Ambassador and voted to alter the terminology from Miss Deaf Utah Pageant to Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship Program during the Miss Deaf America program in New Orleans in the summer of 2007. The changes were witnessed by two Utah representatives, Katrina Pickett Lee, a former Miss Deaf Utah, and Eleanor McCowan. "This was the new era," Kristi Mortensen said, "and Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador had added a lot of flavor to the state of Utah." Furthermore, it was a fresh dawn of a better day for many young girls from mainstreamed programs who felt they were part of a great program to build self-esteem, expand personal abilities, improve public speaking skills, and inspire future generations of young girls."
Many state directors welcomed the notion of converting Miss Deaf America to Miss Deaf Ambassador and voted to alter the terminology from Miss Deaf Utah Pageant to Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship Program during the Miss Deaf America program in New Orleans in the summer of 2007. The changes were witnessed by two Utah representatives, Katrina Pickett Lee, a former Miss Deaf Utah, and Eleanor McCowan. "This was the new era," Kristi Mortensen said, "and Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador had added a lot of flavor to the state of Utah." Furthermore, it was a fresh dawn of a better day for many young girls from mainstreamed programs who felt they were part of a great program to build self-esteem, expand personal abilities, improve public speaking skills, and inspire future generations of young girls."
Andrea Anderson, Miss Deaf Idaho @ MagicValley.com
Andrea oversaw two Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship Programs, each of which included over ten workshops and two weekend retreats. MDUAP treasurer Kelli Fletcher secured a $20,000 grant that was given to the organization. In 2009, fifteen participants expressed interest in the program, but only seven were selected. Andrea earned the Presidential Award from UAD in the same year for her work with the program and its re-establishment (Andrea Anderson, person communication, January 2, 2013).
Katrina Pickett Lee, 1993 Miss Deaf Utah
Katrina Pickett Lee, 1993 Miss Deaf Utah
Camille Call, 1997 Miss Deaf Utah
Camille Call, 1997 Miss Deaf Utah
Camille Call, 1997. Being involved with the pageant experience helped me grow in many ways including talent, confidence, poise, intelligence, and especially my leadership abilities. Being Miss Deaf Utah queen has taught me about the importance of hard work, commitment, and team-work. It is worth it in the long run as it has not been an easy task. I will always treasure this wonderful, memorable experience as being a role model in serving the community and especially deaf children. Through my platform on Deaf and Political Advocacy, I have developed greater appreciation for the deaf needs and services that we have today. I definitely will continue to be actively involved in the deaf community. It was fun making new friends!!! Representing Utah was one of the best experiences I had in my life!
Rebecca Davenport, 2001 Miss Deaf Utah
Rebecca Davenport, 2001 Miss Deaf Utah
Rebecca Davenport, 2001. Being involved with the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant was a rich experience for me. I met other ladies that I competed with and they became my friends for life. Also by being a participant in a pageant, it helped me build self confidence. People will always remember me and the service I did for the community. It is a great and learning experience about world issues that impacts our deaf community. Being involved with the pageant gave me more opportunities in life.
Ellen O’Hara, 2003 Miss Deaf Utah
Ellen O'Hara, 2003 Miss Deaf Utah
Ellen O’Hara, 2003. Being a Miss Deaf Utah created a new meaning of honor. I realized my actions are louder than what say. "It helped me to become kinder and thoughtful of others. I looked outside of myself and I strived to comfort others. I learned to put others first and to become a representative for Utah Deaf community. It taught me the value of tactfulness and proper conduct. The experience was an eye-opener. I was amazed to see other girls representing other states in MDAP. I didn't really realize how much this pageant meant nationally. I enjoyed it more because I was able to create good friendships even though we lived states apart. I felt honored to be chosen to represent Utah and felt proud that I did well in my title.
The Miss Deaf Utah Princess Is Formed
Andrea ran two Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship Programs, each with over ten events and two weekend retreats. With the help of MDUAP's treasurer, Kelli Fletcher was able to acquire a $20,000 grant for the organization. In 2009, fifteen applicants applied for the show, and seven were chosen. She received the Presidential Award from UAD in the same year for her efforts to the program's re-establishment.
Andrea founded the first "Miss Deaf Utah Princess" pageant in 2010, inviting young girls aged 6 to 8 to compete. It proved so popular that it was revived in 2012.
Andrea founded the first "Miss Deaf Utah Princess" pageant in 2010, inviting young girls aged 6 to 8 to compete. It proved so popular that it was revived in 2012.
Andrea Vigil, 2009 Miss Deaf Utah
Andrea Vigil, 2009 Miss Deaf Utah
Miss Deaf Utah Princess, 2010 with Miss Deaf Utah, Andrea Vigil
Andrea Vigil, 2009. I loved being your Miss Deaf Utah. Before I became Miss Deaf Utah, I was just being myself, working and going on with my life as usual. But when I got involved with this MDUAP (Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador Program), competing and winning the title changed my life because it has allowed me to reach so many people from all walks of life. I learned so much from these people. I was able to expand my passion and work with deaf community. So many opportunities came up while I was Miss Deaf Utah and I learned many things that applied to my personal life and to the deaf community. One of my favorite appearance as Miss Deaf Utah was the Miss Deaf Princess event, because of the young girls who were involved. They had the opportunity to experience being on the stage, sharing their talents, personalities and wearing their favorite dresses. It was so cute and I believe it was a good positive experience for the girls. During this event, I was able to share with the Utah deaf community my talent, platform, and my evening grown presentation. I was also able to get feedback from UAD board which helped me prepare for the Miss Deaf America pageant in Philadelphia, PA. The experience in Philadelphia was a changing part of my life. It feels great to have confidence in myself and to know so many people believed in me as their representative for Utah.
The Miss Deaf America Program Has Been Renamed The Youth National Ambassador Program
In 2012, the National Association of the Deaf decided to change from Miss Deaf America Program to Youth National Ambassador Program. This new program allows Deaf or hard of hearing men and women, between the ages of 18 and 30, from anywhere across the nation, to compete and represent the NAD as one of the Youth National Ambassadors. Andrea was very sad to see the end of the NAD Miss Deaf America Program and the UAD Miss Deaf Utah Program. The last pageant in Utah was held in 2012.
The National Association of the Deaf changed the Miss Deaf America Program to the Youth National Ambassador Program in 2012. This new program invited Deaf or hard of hearing men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 to compete and represent the NAD as one of the Youth National Ambassadors from anywhere in the country. Andrea was heartbroken when the NAD Miss Deaf America and the UAD Miss Deaf Utah programs came to an end. In 2012, Utah hosted its last pageant.
The National Association of the Deaf changed the Miss Deaf America Program to the Youth National Ambassador Program in 2012. This new program invited Deaf or hard of hearing men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 to compete and represent the NAD as one of the Youth National Ambassadors from anywhere in the country. Andrea was heartbroken when the NAD Miss Deaf America and the UAD Miss Deaf Utah programs came to an end. In 2012, Utah hosted its last pageant.
Kayla Stubbs, 2011 Miss Deaf Utah
Kayla Stubbs, 2011 Miss Deaf Utah
Kayla Stubbs, 2011. When I first heard about Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador Program, I thought it was all about being perfect and beautiful with a lot of amazing talents and I thought I wasn’t good enough to compete but I decided to try it out anyways. When I won the title, I knew that I felt like I finally knew who I was. I knew what I believed in and I knew I could be true to myself and show young women that you don’t need to compromise to get ahead or to become Miss Deaf Utah. You can be anything you want to be if you believe in yourself. I am so grateful for these experiences as I now know it has helped to shape me into a better person and a better leader. My year has been incredible with speaking engagements, appearances, and, of course, my indescribable trip to Miss Deaf America. These moments are forever etched into my mind and cannot be replaced. In a way, I hoped this night would never come because it means that my time as a titleholder is at an end. But I’m going to smile because I did have this chance and I now have the whole world in front of me. Miss Deaf America was in Kentucky Louisville last July, I was there for two weeks. There were 14 girls who competed and it was so great to meet all of these ladies, as they were all very smart and very beautiful. They all are very unique and I learned a lot about each of them. I love the diversity of people. We all worked together and supported each other during the finals. It was amazing because it felt like we were all sisters. Whenever one girl is crying or having a hard time, we all would try hard to make her feel better. I became really close to Miss Deaf Maryland named Chanel who is currently Miss Deaf America. We were roommates for the last two weeks and we just clicked. We have gotten really close and we did everything together at NAD. I am very honored that I got to know her and she is my role model. The overall experience was amazing and I will never forget it. I would like to thank my state director Andrea for pushing me because she believed in me and that I can do it when I couldn’t believe in myself. She was like a mother to me, a great friend, and an amazing support ever through this amazing journey. I wouldn’t be able to make it through without her. She’s my hero. Thank you for not giving up on me. I would like to thank all of you for believing in me as well. Thank you for helping out with different events that made it possible for me to go to Miss Deaf America. I thank you who helped with the haunted house and who helped with Miss Deaf Utah Princess. This is a great community and I am so honored that I got the chance to represent you and be your last Miss Deaf Utah.
Andrea Garff Anderson is to be commended for gathering and compiling the following information:
• Miss Deaf Utah Pageant Contestants (PDF)
• Comments by Some Former Miss Deaf Utah Queens (PDF)
• Miss Deaf Utah Pageant History of Committee Members from 1979 to 2012 (PDF)
• Miss Deaf Utah Pageant PowerPoint (PDF)
• Comments by Some Former Miss Deaf Utah Queens (PDF)
• Miss Deaf Utah Pageant History of Committee Members from 1979 to 2012 (PDF)
• Miss Deaf Utah Pageant PowerPoint (PDF)
Special Thanks to Andrea Garff Anderson
"Miss Deaf Utah Pageant" is a PowerPoint presentation that contains a wealth of information about the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant and the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador Program. Andrea Garff Anderson spent a lot of time and work creating this PowerPoint, and she did an outstanding job!
Notes
Andrea Anderson, e-mail message sent to Jodi Becker Kinner. January 2, 2013.
Kristi L. Mortensen, e-mail message sent to Jodi Becker Kinner. March 28, 2009.
Kristi L. Mortensen, e-mail message sent to Jodi Becker Kinner. March 28, 2009.
Reference
The Miss Deaf Utah Story. 1983.
