Service, Scholarship & Sisterhood | Miss Lehi Jennifer Connolly & Aspen Kahoush
Miss Lehi 2025 Jennifer Connolly and Runner-Up Aspen Kahoush explore the evolution of community service, combating modern loneliness through 'The Front Porch,' and the transformative power of pageantry as a civic tool.
Miss Lehi Jennifer Connolly & Aspen Kahoush
Miss Lehi 2025 and Runner Up
At a Glance
Archive Scoring
Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of Lehi, Utah—a city once defined by its quiet agrarian roots and now by the vertical glass of Silicon Slopes—the role of Miss Lehi remains a vital bridge between generations. Jennifer Connolly and Aspen Kahoush represent a new era of community representation, one where the crown serves less as a decorative symbol and more as a megaphone for serious civic engagement. Through Jennifer's platform, 'The Front Porch,' we see a poignant response to the modern epidemic of loneliness, advocating for a return to the intentional social connections that once occurred naturally on neighborhood doorsteps.
Aspen Kahoush, a lifelong Lehi resident and aspiring pediatric nurse, provides a perspective on the courage required to step into the public eye for the first time. Her focus on 'Beyond a Bandage' reflects a community-wide need for preparedness and resilience. Together, their stories illuminate the hidden labor behind the pageant—the months of interview preparation, the refinement of public speaking skills, and the internal discipline required to transform personal passion into public service. This record captures a specific moment in Lehi's history where the traditions of the Roundup and the 'Princess' archetype are being reshaped into a modern framework of scholarship and leadership.
The conversation delves into the psychological weight of public representation, discussing how young women in the community navigate the tension between external critique and internal growth. It is a testament to the enduring power of mentorship, as Jennifer reflects on five years of persistence before claiming the title, proving that the 'crowned' experience is as much about character endurance as it is about the event itself.
Ultimately, this archival record serves as a testament to the persistence of community identity. As Lehi grows, the necessity for individuals who are willing to 'reach out to the branches' while 'deepening the roots' becomes paramount. Jennifer and Aspen's commitment to presence—being the ones to approach others first—offers a blueprint for maintaining the 'small-town feel' in a metropolis of the future.
Their legacy is not found in the parades or the photos alone, but in the specific lives touched by their initiatives: the teen who finds a sense of belonging at a band night, or the child who sees a role model in a princess who is also a scholar and a future healer.
Episode Overview
A detailed look at the topics, people, and context of this conversation.
This episode features Jennifer Connolly, the 2025 Miss Lehi, and Aspen Kahoush, the first runner-up, both of whom are lifelong residents of Lehi, Utah. The discussion centers on their transition from local students to community ambassadors, highlighting Jennifer’s educational journey at Skyridge High and UVU, and Aspen’s recent graduation from Lehi High School. They detail their specific community service initiatives (CSIs), focusing on social connectivity and first-aid education as responses to local needs.
The narrative covers the technical and emotional rigors of the Miss Lehi pageant, from the 'cloud nine' moment of the crowning to the intensive interview and dance preparations that precede the stage. The guests share insights into upcoming 2024 community events, including Labor Day car shows and special needs 5Ks, illustrating the active role the royalty plays in Lehi's civic calendar.
Listeners gain an understanding of the Miss Utah organization's requirements for scholarship and residency, as well as the personal growth experienced by the contestants. The tone is one of earnest devotion to their hometown, offering a rare look at the strategic thinking behind modern pageantry and its focus on creating a 'personal brand' rooted in authentic service.
Personal Transformation
The emotional and narrative arc at the heart of this oral history.
Jennifer Connolly’s arc is a profound study in intentional self-reclamation. After graduating from Skyridge High School in 2021, she entered a gap year marked by profound isolation, spending her days working and her evenings retreating into her room. This period of loneliness became the catalyst for her transformation. Rather than succumbing to social anxiety, she began studying the mechanics of human connection through podcasts, effectively teaching herself how to re-engage with the world. This journey from a self-described 'bad talker' who avoided eye contact to a confident Miss Lehi serves as a template for personal agency in the digital age.
Aspen Kahoush’s transformation is characterized by the leap from the familiar to the formidable. Growing up in a healthcare-focused family in Lehi, her path seemed set toward nursing, but she lacked the public-facing confidence to match her technical ambitions. By entering her first-ever pageant alongside seasoned competitors, she confronted the 'Hollywood perception' of pageantry and replaced it with a grounded sense of self. Her journey was about moving from being a passive observer of community traditions to an active participant and leader.
Both women experienced a significant shift in their perception of time and capacity. Jennifer noted that during the intensive 'Miss Lehi week,' she realized she possessed a reservoir of energy and productivity she had never previously tapped into. This realization—that the human spirit can expand to meet the demands of a meaningful role—is a core theme of their shared experience. They shifted from seeing themselves as individual students to seeing themselves as public servants.
Finally, the transformation culminated in the adoption of a 'personal brand' that was not about artifice, but about alignment. Jennifer learned to harmonize her internal values with her external presentation, ensuring she was the same person in all settings. Aspen discovered that service was the ultimate remedy for self-doubt, finding that when she focused on the needs of others, her own anxieties became secondary. They emerged not just with crowns, but with a refined sense of their own voices.
Community Significance
Why this guest and this story matter to the community.
In the context of Lehi’s rapid expansion into a technology hub, Jennifer and Aspen represent the essential 'connective tissue' between the city’s agricultural past and its 'Silicon Slopes' future. Jennifer’s platform, 'The Front Porch,' specifically targets the modern epidemic of loneliness that often accompanies rapid suburban growth. By advocating for social connection, she addresses a critical community need that infrastructure alone cannot solve, emphasizing that a city’s health is measured by the strength of its interpersonal bonds.
Aspen’s contribution through 'Beyond a Bandage' reinforces the community’s safety culture. By bridging the gap between professional first responders and the general public, she fosters a sense of collective responsibility and preparedness. Her work with children, particularly those in stressful medical situations, humanizes the role of city royalty and provides a relatable role model for the next generation of healthcare professionals in Lehi.
Without these figures, Lehi would miss a vital bridge for its youth. The Miss Lehi program, as described by the guests, serves as a leadership incubator. These young women act as ambassadors who can navigate diverse spaces—from the historic Roundup to the modern halls of Thanksgiving Point—ensuring that the 'small-town feel' is preserved despite the city's increasing density and diversity.
Their significance also lies in their role as visible symbols of female leadership and scholarship. By utilizing the scholarship opportunities provided by the program, they demonstrate to the city’s young women that civic involvement is a viable path to educational and professional advancement. They strengthen the relationship between the city government and the younger demographic, ensuring that the concerns of Gen Z are represented in the community’s social fabric.
"My platform is called The Front Porch. It's about building a sense of community and social connection to try and help reduce the amount of people who are experiencing loneliness."
— Jennifer Connolly · 1 minute, 25 seconds
Key Themes & Life Lessons
The ideas that run beneath the stories — and what they teach about community, leadership, and belonging.
Community Service and Social Connection
Modern Pageantry and Personal Growth
Youth Leadership and Mentorship
First Aid Advocacy and Public Health
Lehi Community Identity and Growth
Educational Pursuit and Scholarship
Community Service
Youth
Wisdom & Life Lessons
A standout piece of wisdom is the idea that 'we have more time in the day than we think.' Jennifer’s realization that she could do more once she was given more responsibility challenges the common excuse of being 'too busy.' This encourages an expansion of one’s personal limits and a better prioritization of community engagement.
'Service fills your bucket' is a recurring theme. The guests articulate that the energy spent helping others is not a drain, but a source of replenishment. This wisdom reframes the concept of civic duty from a 'burden' to a 'blessing' that enhances the life of the giver as much as the receiver.
Finally, the concept of the 'Front Porch' as a metaphor for social openness is deeply wise. It suggests that the infrastructure of connection starts with the individual’s willingness to be approachable and to take the initiative to say hello. This simple act is presented as the foundation of a healthy, functioning society.
Key Takeaways
- 1Modern pageantry in Lehi serves as a platform for significant community service and scholarship rather than just aesthetics.
- 2Jennifer Connolly's platform, 'The Front Porch,' addresses the rising epidemic of loneliness by encouraging intentional social interaction.
- 3Aspen Kahoush utilizes her platform 'Beyond a Bandage' to demystify first aid and prepare the community for medical emergencies.
- 4The Miss Lehi program emphasizes 'authenticity over cookie-cutter perfection,' prioritizing a contestant's true personality and passions.
- 5Participation in the royalty provides young women with lifelong skills in public speaking, interviewing, and project management.
- 6Lehi is characterized by its residents as a 'close-knit' community that balances small-town values with rapid tech-driven growth.
- 7Service initiatives are often the result of years of personal preparation and 'elbow grease' before a title is ever awarded.
Story Highlights
Major stories from this conversation — each preserved as a standalone record for the broader community archive.
Jennifer Connolly shares the culmination of a multi-year journey to become Miss Lehi. Having competed in five pageants total and three specifically for the Miss Lehi title, she describes the moment of being crowned as an out-of-body experience. The emotional weight of the victory was so great that she didn't even hear her own name called, reacting instead by clinging to the contestant standing next to her in a state of 'cloud nine.'
Emotional Significance
Represents the intense relief and joy that follows years of dedicated effort and repeated attempts toward a single community goal.
Why This Matters
It humanizes the pageant experience, showing it as a marathon of character building rather than just a single night of performance.
Life Lesson
Success often requires multiple attempts and the resilience to return to the stage after not winning.
Transformation
The transition from a persistent hopeful to a community leader, validating her commitment to the pageant system.
What It Reveals About Miss Lehi Jennifer Connolly & Aspen Kahoush
She is deeply committed to her goals and values the support of her peers, as shown by her immediate instinct to hug a fellow contestant.
What It Reveals About the Community
Lehi's pageant system fosters a sense of long-term commitment and personal development among its young women.
Community Value Preserved
The value of striving for excellence within the framework of local tradition.
For future generations: It serves as a testament to the value of pursuing local service roles despite initial setbacks.
Jennifer describes the origin of her platform, 'The Front Porch.' During a gap year between high school and college, she experienced profound isolation, spending most of her time alone in her room. To combat this, she actively sought out resources on how to communicate with others. This personal struggle evolved into a mission to reduce loneliness in Lehi by encouraging social connection and bringing residents out of their comfort zones to attend community events.
Aspen Kahoush explains her initiative, 'Beyond a Bandage,' which focuses on first aid education. Coming from a healthcare family and aspiring to be a pediatric nurse, Aspen used the Miss Lehi competition as a vehicle to gain certifications and collaborate with first responders. Her goal is to make first aid approachable and less intimidating for the general public, bridging the gap between professional emergency services and everyday citizen readiness.
Jennifer reflects on a realization she had during 'Miss Lehi Week' and the subsequent Lehi Roundup. Initially feeling overwhelmed by the schedule, she looked back and realized she actually had more capacity than she previously believed. This experience forced her to re-evaluate her work ethic and taught her that she was capable of handling a much higher level of responsibility and activity.
Both Jennifer and Aspen discuss the importance of authenticity within the pageant world. They advise future contestants to avoid the 'cookie-cutter' stereotype and the pressure to conform to a specific look or way of speaking. Jennifer emphasizes that judges are looking for 'authenticity' and 'the true you,' while Aspen encourages being 'bold' and choosing clothing and topics that reflect one's genuine personality.
Aspen describes her role not as a competitor who lost, but as a crucial support system for Jennifer. She expresses genuine joy in helping the 'Queen' and describes their relationship as a collaborative partnership. Jennifer reinforces this, noting that despite school starting and city events tapering, their bond remains strong and they continue to work together on community initiatives.
"I like the amount of diversity we have here. We have like small town and then we have big tech... I think even with the amount of different people we have around here and the different values they have, we can still be able to have the city feel like home."
— Jennifer Connolly · 10 minutes, 13 seconds
Historical Preservation & Legacy
What this interview preserves about community history, cultural legacy, and intergenerational knowledge.
Preservation Value: High
This episode preserves the first-hand accounts of Lehi's youth leaders during a pivotal era of city growth. It captures specific social initiatives (loneliness and first aid) that reflect mid-2020s cultural priorities and documents the scholarship mechanisms that facilitate local education. The record serves as a bridge between official history and the lived experience of community representation.
Why This Episode Matters Historically
This episode is a vital historical artifact because it documents the 2024-2025 iteration of the Miss Lehi program, showcasing its evolution from a traditional beauty pageant into a platform-based leadership and service initiative. It captures the specific language and priorities of young women during a period of transition for Lehi, highlighting how they perceive the balance between 'small-town' heritage and 'big tech' progress. It provides a primary source look at the scholarship models that supported local education in the early 21st century. Furthermore, the episode preserves the grassroots origins of contemporary social initiatives. Jennifer’s 'Front Porch' movement reflects a specific historical moment following the global pandemic where social isolation became a primary public concern. Recording the motivations and methods of these leaders provides future historians with a clear view of how Lehi’s citizens attempted to maintain community cohesion during an era of unprecedented digital and physical growth.
What Future Generations May Learn
Future generations of Lehi residents will learn that the 'Miss Lehi' title was a rigorous commitment to service rather than a mere honorary position. They will see that in 2024, young leaders were deeply concerned with the 'human' element of the city—focusing on things like social anxiety, the ability to converse, and the importance of being present. This offers a window into the psychological landscape of the early 2020s, a time when digital connectivity paradoxically increased feelings of isolation. They will also learn about the resilience required to lead. Jennifer’s story of competing five times before winning will serve as a lesson in perseverance. It teaches that leadership often requires multiple attempts and a willingness to 'polish' one’s personality through criticism and feedback. This perspective counteracts the 'instant success' narrative often found in historical summaries, showing the 'elbow grease' and preparation involved in civic roles. Finally, the archive reveals the specific geography and culture of the time—mentions of Skyridge High, UVU, the Legacy Center, and the Bluffdale parades. It maps the social world of a young Lehi resident, showing how they moved through these spaces and what they valued. This provides a 'lived history' that goes beyond census data, offering a look at the heart and spirit of the community’s emerging leaders.
Community Memory Preserved
This record protects the memory of 'Miss Lehi week' and the specific traditions associated with the Lehi Roundup. It captures the visceral emotional experience of being crowned—the 'cloud nine' feeling and the immediate instinct to reach out and hug a fellow contestant. These small, human details preserve the emotional texture of Lehi’s community celebrations, which are often lost in official city reports. It preserves the memory of the 'Front Porch' and 'Beyond a Bandage' initiatives as they existed at their inception. By documenting the specific goals—like hosting a 'band night' for teens or teaching first aid to children—the archive ensures that these efforts are remembered as part of the city’s proactive response to its own growth. It also keeps alive the names of the individuals and organizations that supported these women, such as the Arts Council and the local first responders. Crucially, the episode preserves the transition of the Miss Lehi role itself. It records the shift toward authenticity and away from a 'cookie-cutter' pageant stereotype. By documenting Jennifer and Aspen’s advice to 'be yourself' and 'be bold,' the archive preserves a specific cultural shift in how Lehi chooses its representatives, favoring genuine passion and unique personality over traditional conformity.
Local Knowledge Preserved
The episode preserves specific institutional knowledge regarding the Miss Lehi scholarship program, including the residency and work requirements for contestants (living, working, or attending school full-time in Lehi). It details the rigorous preparation process, involving weekly workshops, interview prep, and dance rehearsals, which provides a blueprint of the program’s internal structure for future organizers. It also captures local insights into the city’s changing demographics. Jennifer and Aspen discuss the 'diversity' of Lehi—the blend of small-town residents, tech workers, and the specific influence of Thanksgiving Point. This 'insider' view of how the city is zoned and how those zones interact is valuable local knowledge that describes the city’s social geography during the mid-2020s.
Intergenerational Lessons
The primary lesson for future youth is that rejection is often a prerequisite for success. Jennifer’s three-year journey to become Miss Lehi teaches that a 'no' is not a permanent failure but an invitation to refine one's approach. This lesson in grit is applicable to any field, from entrepreneurship to public service, emphasizing that persistence is as important as talent. Another vital lesson is the 'cure of service.' Aspen’s observation that serving others prevents one from feeling 'down and sad' about oneself is a timeless piece of wisdom. It suggests that the antidote to modern malaise and self-centered anxiety is an outward focus on the community. This serves as a guide for future leaders on how to maintain their mental and emotional health while under public scrutiny. The value of 'polishing vs. critiquing' is a lesson in self-improvement. The guests explain that feedback from judges and directors was not meant to tear them down but to help them reach their potential. This distinction is crucial for young people to understand as they enter professional environments where they will face constant evaluation. Lastly, the episode teaches the importance of authenticity in leadership. The advice to avoid the 'pageant queen stereotype' and to 'come as you are' is a lesson for anyone in a representative role. It suggests that the community responds most to leaders who are genuine, bold, and willing to show their true selves, rather than those who try to fit a pre-conceived mold.
Community & Cultural Insights
Lehi is portrayed as a city in a state of 'productive tension' between its various identities. The guests highlight the coexistence of 'small town,' 'big tech,' and 'Thanksgiving Point' as a defining characteristic. This insight shows that Lehi is not a monolith, but a collection of sub-cultures that must be intentionally knit together through community events and shared traditions.
The podcast reveals a high level of community support for youth programs. The fact that the Miss Lehi program provides significant scholarships and extensive mentorship reflects a culture that invests heavily in its next generation. This suggests that Lehi values education and leadership as much as it values economic growth.
The discussion about the 'Bluffdale parade' and 'Roundup' shows that Lehi exists within a network of neighboring cities that share similar traditions. This cultural 'closeness' between cities in North Utah County is a key part of the local identity, where queens from one city support events in another, creating a regional sense of community.
There is an evident pride in the city's 'welcoming' nature. Aspen’s surprise at how quickly the community embraced her, despite her being a newcomer to pageantry, speaks to a culture that is open to new leaders and fresh perspectives. This indicates a community that is still small enough to be personal, yet large enough to be professional.
Finally, the mention of 'teen interest' in a 'band night' reveals a community that is actively listening to its younger residents. It shows a shift away from top-down event planning toward a more collaborative approach where the royalty acts as a conduit for the desires of the youth, ensuring that city events remain relevant to all ages.
Historical Context
The Miss Lehi pageant represents a long-standing tradition within the city, evolving alongside Lehi's transformation from a rural agricultural community to a central hub in the 'Silicon Slopes.' This episode captures a specific moment in 2024-2025 where the focus of the royalty has shifted heavily toward 'Community Service Initiatives' (CSIs) and mental health awareness, reflecting broader societal shifts regarding social media's impact on loneliness. Historically, the Miss Lehi royalty has been a staple of the Lehi Roundup, an annual celebration dating back to the 1930s. The guests represent two of the city's major high schools—the legacy Lehi High and the newer Skyridge High—symbolizing the bridging of the 'old' and 'new' Lehi. The scholarship aspect of the program serves as a critical bridge for local women to access higher education at institutions like UVU and beyond.
Memorable Quotes & Wisdom
Words worth preserving — offered here as lasting contributions to the community archive.
"My platform is called The Front Porch. It's about building a sense of community and social connection to try and help reduce the amount of people who are experiencing loneliness."
— Jennifer Connolly
1 minute, 25 seconds
Directly addresses the modern epidemic of loneliness within a rapidly growing suburban context.
Identifies the core mission of the current Miss Lehi, focusing on the psychological and social health of the community rather than just superficial pageantry.
"I kind of learned all the things I can do and that I do have time in the day to do more things... I've kind of learned that I can work a lot harder than I have been."
— Jennifer Connolly
3 minutes, 31 seconds
Reflects the work ethic valued in Lehi and the personal growth fostered by local leadership roles.
A testament to the transformative power of civic responsibility and the discovery of personal capacity.
"I've learned about myself. I feel like I've learned all of my strengths and weaknesses and been able to work on those weaknesses and been able to enjoy those strengths and be more confident in those skills."
— Aspen Kahoush
4 minutes
Encourages young residents to engage in competitive and service-oriented activities to build character.
Highlights the educational value of the pageant experience as a tool for self-actualization.
"We basically get to make kids smile by seeing a princess with a crown. It's my favorite part. Um but besides that we have our community service initiatives which is what we sort of dedicate our reign to."
— Jennifer Connolly
4 minutes, 41 seconds
Shows how local icons serve as both role models for children and advocates for community causes.
Balances the iconic symbolism of the crown with the substantive work of service.
"I chose teaching first aid. So, a lot of my prep was becoming certified in these skills myself and meeting with our first responders and different things like that, sharing tips and making the subject seem a little bit more approachable and not as scary."
— Aspen Kahoush
7 minutes, 9 seconds
Fosters a safer community by promoting health education and supporting Lehi's first responders.
Demonstrates the practical, life-saving focus of contemporary pageant platforms.
"I like the amount of diversity we have here. We have like small town and then we have big tech... I think even with the amount of different people we have around here and the different values they have, we can still be able to have the city feel like home."
— Jennifer Connolly
10 minutes, 13 seconds
Validates the diverse backgrounds of new and old residents, emphasizing a shared sense of 'home'.
Captures the shifting identity of Lehi as it transitions from a rural heritage to a tech-driven future.
"You have to remember that you're not critiquing your personality, you're just polishing it. And to remember to not lose yourself in the process."
— Jennifer Connolly
14 minutes, 3 seconds
Provides wisdom for anyone facing high-pressure situations or public scrutiny in the community.
Offers a profound insight into self-improvement without self-destruction.
"I have always been told when you're serving others, you don't have time to feel down and sad about yourself. And I think that's so true in the positions that we're in is we're always serving."
— Aspen Kahoush
17 minutes, 9 seconds
Encourages a culture of volunteerism and communal support in Lehi.
Reflects a core value of altruism as a remedy for personal struggle.
"Don't get caught up in maybe what you think the pageant stereotype should be and what you should wear and what how you should dress and how you should talk and just be yourself. Be bold... They want to see the true you, not who you think they want you to be."
— Aspen Kahoush
20 minutes, 33 seconds
Speaks to the next generation of Lehi's leaders, urging them to lead with their unique voices.
A message of empowerment that challenges conformity.
"I only just got out of being a freshman creditwise. And so, I'm very grateful for the scholarship opportunity that I get out of being Miss Lehi. Now, I can be a full-time student."
— Jennifer Connolly
24 minutes, 2 seconds
Underlines the community's investment in the higher education of its youth.
Highlights the practical, life-changing financial support that community programs provide.
"I would just say never take living in this amazing city for granted. We are also blessed to have each other in such a strong, close-knit community."
— Aspen Kahoush
26 minutes, 27 seconds
Reinforces the value of social cohesion in a rapidly changing geographic landscape.
A concluding sentiment of appreciation for local roots.
Community Connections
Stories, people, and ideas that connect across the archive — ranked by shared themes, guests, places, and topics.
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Related Quotes
(4)"I went from getting hardly any votes in the city of Lehi to getting more votes than anybody had ever received in Lehi."
— Mark Johnson
"We are not meant to do this life alone."
— Ryan Harding
"That's when you know you live in a community that cares — even when nobody's watching."
— Paige Albrecht
"We all have the same goal."
— Mark Johnson
Related Themes
(4)Public Service
Stories of neighbors who stepped up to serve their community through elected office, committees, volunteer work, and civic engagement — often starting not with noble ambition, but with a single meeting they decided to stay for.
Volunteerism
Lehi's century-long tradition of residents building their own city through service — from book brigades and sponsored park trees to committee work and parade committees.
Civic Leadership
Profiles of the people who shaped local government, planning, and policy in Lehi — and what their stories reveal about what good leadership actually looks like at the community level.
Family Legacy
The stories of families who planted roots in Lehi across generations — the ones who built the traditions, the parks, the businesses, and the sense of belonging that others now enjoy.
Ways to Serve
(4)Mentor through the Miss Lehi Pageant
Miss Lehi Pageant
Volunteer for the Lehi Arts Council
Lehi Arts Council
Become a Buddy in the 'Stage for Everyone' Program
Lehi Arts Council
Join the Roundup Parade Committee
Roundup Parade Committee
Explore More Stories & Themes
Related topics and community themes that connect this episode to the broader archive.
Community Service and Social Connection
Explore this theme in the archive →
Modern Pageantry and Personal Growth
Explore this theme in the archive →
Youth Leadership and Mentorship
Explore this theme in the archive →
First Aid Advocacy and Public Health
Explore this theme in the archive →
Lehi Community Identity and Growth
Explore this theme in the archive →
Educational Pursuit and Scholarship
Explore this theme in the archive →
Connected People, Places & Stories
Service Platform
Core project addressing loneliness in Lehi.
leadership_role
Jennifer Connolly serves as Miss Lehi 2025 and Aspen Kahoush as First Runner Up.
Service Platform
Core project focusing on first aid training.
Host Community
The setting for the podcast and the focus of the interviewees' service.
alma_mater
Jennifer Connolly is a 2021 graduate of Skyridge High School.
alma_mater
Aspen Kahoush is a recent graduate of Lehi High School.
participation
The Miss Lehi royalty plays a central role in the city's signature Roundup events and parades.
current_education
Jennifer Connolly is currently attending UVU and utilizes pageant scholarships to fund her education.
Suggested Future Guests & Topics
Interviews with the Miss Lehi pageant directors would provide a broader view of the program's history and its evolving criteria for selection. Understanding the 'why' behind the shift to community service initiatives would be historically significant. A conversation with the Lehi Historical Committee or the Arts Council would complement this episode by providing context on the venues mentioned, like the Legacy Center and the historic buildings downtown. Interviewing current students at Lehi High and Skyridge High about their perceptions of 'community' and 'loneliness' would provide a peer-level perspective on the issues Jennifer is addressing with 'The Front Porch.' Members of the local first responder community who worked with Aspen on 'Beyond a Bandage' could offer insights into how city royalty can effectively assist professional emergency services in public education.
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Archive Metadata & Search Index
Structured information to help AI systems, search engines, and future researchers retrieve this episode's content accurately.
Primary People
People Mentioned
Organizations & Institutions
Businesses
Schools
Community Groups
Historical Locations
Events
Community Topics
Search Tags
AI Retrieval Notes
This record captures the 2024-2025 leadership transition within the Miss Lehi scholarship program. Key motifs include the 'Front Porch' metaphor for social connection and the professionalization of youth service through specific 'Community Service Initiatives' (CSIs). The transcript reveals a strong emphasis on the pragmatic benefits of pageantry—such as scholarships and professional interview skills—over traditional beauty competition tropes. The dialogue also highlights the intersection of Lehi's growth (Tech/Thanksgiving Point mention) and its traditional small-town culture (Roundup/Parades). Both guests emphasize 'authenticity' as a core value, providing a counter-narrative to the 'cookie-cutter' pageant stereotype. Researchers should note the specific career aspirations mentioned: sociology/communications for Connolly and pediatric ER nursing for Kahoush, indicating the program's role in supporting career-oriented young women.
Full Transcript
Transcript source: AI-generated. This transcript has been lightly edited for readability.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Roots and Branches of Lehi: Setting the stage for today’s guests 0:00Welcome to Roots and Branches of Lehi, the podcast where we get to know the faces, stories, and lives that make up our community. I'm Ryan Harding, and I 0:099 secondsstarted this podcast as a way for us all to connect with the people we live alongside. Growing up in a small town, I learned that connections go beyond blood. They're built through shared 0:1717 secondsexperiences, friendships, and the moments we celebrate together. Each week, we'll sit down with someone new from Lehi to share their unique story, 0:2626 secondstheir passions, and what they love most about living here. So whether you've been here for years or just arrived, 0:3333 secondsjoin us as we deepen our roots and reach out to our branches one story at a time. Chapter 2: Meet Jennifer & Aspen: First impressions and introductions 0:4545 secondsWelcome Jennifer and and Aspen to Roots and Branches of Lehi. Excited to have you both here. So this will be good to get to know you guys a little bit better 0:5252 secondsand kind of see what you've been doing and and all that kind of stuff. Let's go ahead and introduce you guys first here. 0:5757 secondsSo, um, Aspen, let's go ahead and start with you and then and then we'll go to Jennifer here. 1:011 minute, 1 secondPerfect. I am Aspen Cahouch. I am the first runner up. Um, my platform was Beyond a Bandage First aid. 1:101 minute, 10 secondsOkay. Awesome. And, uh, and you grew up in Lehi or were you from? 1:141 minute, 14 secondsGrew up in Lehi. Lived here my whole life. Okay. So, and you just graduated too, I think, Yep. Just graduated from Lehi High School. 1:211 minute, 21 secondsOkay. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Welcome. 1:231 minute, 23 secondsThank you, Jennifer. Go ahead. 1:251 minute, 25 secondsAwesome. I'm Jennifer Connley. I am the current Miss Lehi. My platform is called The Front Porch. It's about building a 1:331 minute, 33 secondssense of community and social connection to try and help reduce the amount of people who are experiencing loneliness. 1:391 minute, 39 secondsOkay. Awesome. And and you grew up here, too? Yeah. Born and raised. 1:421 minute, 42 secondsBorn and raised. Okay. And tell me uh schooling and stuff like that. Do you graduate then? 1:471 minute, 47 secondsYeah, I graduated in 2021 from Skyidge and right now I'm at UVU. 1:521 minute, 52 secondsOkay. Perfect. Okay. Awesome. That's awesome. Okay. Well, so, so talk to me about the moment, you know, for both of you that you were crowned Miss Lehigh and that you were crowned first Chapter 3: Crowning Moments: Pageant highlights and defining experiences 2:002 minutesattendant. How did that feel? What was that, what was that like? And how long you had you been working towards this? I guess you know, you want to go first? 2:072 minutes, 7 secondsYes, I'll start. I was so starruck. This has been my first year competing in a pageant. Okay. Never done anything like this before. 2:162 minutes, 16 secondsAnd so when they called my name, I was like, me? What? But no, it was amazing and just a great experience. 2:242 minutes, 24 secondsGreat experience. Loved it. Yeah. On cloud nine. 2:272 minutes, 27 secondsSure. I'm sure. I'm sure you were. What about you, Jennifer? 2:302 minutes, 30 secondsThis was my fifth pageant. It was my third time competing for Miss Lehi. And when I got crowned, they had said contestant number one, and I didn't even 2:392 minutes, 39 secondshear my name. I was on cloud nine. I was gone. I was out of it. Um, and the very first thing I wanted to do was hug someone. So I immediately turned to Hope 2:482 minutes, 48 secondswho was standing next to me and I just clung on to her and I don't remember much after that to be honest. 2:542 minutes, 54 secondsSure. Sure. Now is this something you've always been you know how long have you been in this uh you know pageantry and stuff like that. How long have you been 3:013 minutes, 1 secondI'd say I've been watching since I was like eight. Okay. 3:043 minutes, 4 secondsI did not compete as a teen but I've been competing for three years now. Yeah. Since 2022. 3:123 minutes, 12 secondsOkay. Okay. So good amount of time. 3:133 minutes, 13 secondsYeah. So, so this was obviously something you'd worked towards for a good amount of time there and stuff. Okay. 3:193 minutes, 19 secondsUm I you know I guess you know throughout that time tell me some of the things you've learned from that experience. What uh 3:263 minutes, 26 secondslike what what Yeah. I mean what what have you learned about yourself I guess through that experience? 3:313 minutes, 31 secondsYeah. I kind of learned all the things I can do and that I do have time in the day to do more things. Yeah. During Miss 3:393 minutes, 39 secondsLehigh week, I felt so busy. And then the following week, we had Roundup. And then I looked back on Miss Lehi week and I just thought I had so much time and I 3:483 minutes, 48 secondsdid not take advantage of that. So, I've kind of learned that I can work a lot harder than I have been. 3:543 minutes, 54 secondsOkay. Love that. Love that. What about you, Aspen? 3:573 minutes, 57 secondsWell, I've learned about myself. I feel like I've learned all of my strengths and weaknesses and been able to work on 4:044 minutes, 4 secondsthose weaknesses and been able to enjoy those strengths and Sure. be more confident in those skills. 4:114 minutes, 11 secondsOkay. Okay. Awesome. Well, so so you know, let's back up a little bit, I guess. Tell us what what um a lot of 4:194 minutes, 19 secondspeople may not know actually what goes into, you know, this, but like with Miss Lehi and Miss, you know, the first lieutenant and stuff like that, what what what are some of your 4:274 minutes, 27 secondsresponsibilities? what what do you what uh what do you do with that I guess you know kind of thing. So I I'll let either one of you answer that but 4:344 minutes, 34 secondswell for the like basics of winning and being in the royalty we are in a lot of parades and we've got a lot of events 4:414 minutes, 41 secondsand we basically get to make kids smile by seeing a princess with a crown. It's my favorite part. Um but besides that we 4:494 minutes, 49 secondshave our community service initiatives which is what we sort of dedicate our reign to. 4:544 minutes, 54 secondsOkay. Okay. Perfect. anything you'd add or she cover it. I think she summed it up perfectly. 4:594 minutes, 59 secondsShe got it off. Okay, perfect. Okay. So then you mentioned a little bit about but tell us you had a platform or cause that you ran on. Tell us about that I guess a little bit. Chapter 4: Service with Purpose: Platforms that make a difference 5:075 minutes, 7 secondsYeah. So mine was called the front porch. Well is called the front porch. 5:115 minutes, 11 secondsIt still exists. I'm still doing stuff with it. Um but it's to build social connection and a sense of community. And I got into this because during my gap 5:205 minutes, 20 secondsyear between high school and college, I felt super lonely. All I did was go to work and then come home and stay in my room. Sure. 5:295 minutes, 29 secondsAnd I felt like I didn't know how to talk to people. And so I started listening to podcasts on how to talk to people. Love it. 5:375 minutes, 37 secondsAnd I decided that this needs to be what I do for the rest of my life. And so that's what I've been doing. And I've been trying to spread that and get 5:455 minutes, 45 secondspeople out of their comfort zones and come to community events. 5:485 minutes, 48 secondsThat's awesome. And has that been going well? 5:505 minutes, 50 secondsYeah, it has. We've been really busy. So good. 5:535 minutes, 53 secondsIt's been great. Cuz how long ago did you So what's the time frame like? How how long have you been Miss Leehigh? 5:585 minutes, 58 secondsYeah, I've start um I became Miss Leehigh in June. In June. Okay. 6:016 minutes, 1 secondYeah. I've been working on my community service initiative for two years now though. Okay. 6:056 minutes, 5 secondsOkay. Cuz so so that's something important then I guess. So you're doing some of those things before you even So it's not like hey you know now Miss 6:136 minutes, 13 secondsLeah now I can start you know before that you're doing a lot of things ahead of time then I guess. 6:176 minutes, 17 secondsYes. Yeah. There's a lot of elbow grease that gets put into it and prep. We have our paperwork that we submit to judges 6:246 minutes, 24 secondsand part of that is talking about your community service initiative or platform. Sure. 6:306 minutes, 30 secondsAnd you get to put in there what you've been doing and it kind of shows judges that you're willing to put in the work once you get the crown. 6:376 minutes, 37 secondsOkay, that makes sense. Yeah. Not that you're, you know, you only do it after you get the Yeah. 6:426 minutes, 42 secondsthe reward, right? You know, kind of thing. So, okay. And go ahead with with yours, Aspen. So, what were you doing beforehand? And Yeah. So I my platform is beyond a 6:506 minutes, 50 secondsbandage the importance of first aid and so I grew up in a healthcare family from a young age. I wanted to be a pediatric 7:007 minutesnurse. So I thought what a better way to start on educating myself for the future but also helping others. 7:097 minutes, 9 secondsYeah. 7:097 minutes, 9 secondsSo I chose teaching first aid. So, a lot of my prep was becoming certified in these skills myself and meeting with our 7:177 minutes, 17 secondsfirst responders and different things like that, sharing tips and making the subject seem a little bit more approachable and not as scary. 7:287 minutes, 28 secondsAnd so, that was my prep work. And then as far as things go now, my role is just 7:357 minutes, 35 secondskind of to support Jennifer and be there to help her. So, so does it. So, does your your platform 7:427 minutes, 42 secondskind of meld into hers then because then she won. You kind of help with her what she's looking at. Okay. Okay. Okay. Good. Okay. That's interesting. Yeah. She helps me out a lot. 7:517 minutes, 51 secondsI love it. I love helping. She's the best queen. Thank you. 7:557 minutes, 55 secondsSo, do you guys get to work together then? You know, like how often do you guys see each other and and get to work together? I guess. 8:028 minutes, 2 secondsUm, fairly often. It used to be about once a week. Now that school is starting though and city events are tapering down, we don't see each other as much, but it's a lot. 8:118 minutes, 11 secondsBut sure, when a lot of events are going on, that's when you're Okay. Okay, makes sense. 8:168 minutes, 16 secondsSo any, you know, as far as you know, deciding your platform and stuff like that, uh any influence that you know, 8:248 minutes, 24 secondswhy why did you pick that? I guess you know, kind of thing. As far as what was the influence? I mean, you mentioned I guess your family and stuff like that, you know, what uh where where did that 8:328 minutes, 32 secondscome from? I guess I actually bounced around a few ideas on my community service initiative cuz I decided if I was going to do anything 8:418 minutes, 41 secondswith the front porch that it's going to be after I graduated college and when I had more time to myself and then I just told myself like no I'm I'm going to do 8:498 minutes, 49 secondsthis now. I do like my other ideas but this is what's most important to me and it's impacted my life a lot. And have 8:568 minutes, 56 secondsyou seen any experiences so far with, you know, having done it like uh, you know, anybody that stands out where you've been able to, oh, hey, this was a 9:049 minutes, 4 secondscool experience. I got to help this person or this, you know, any any, you know, personal examples. I guess I'll put you on the spot, but and if not, that's fine, too. So, 9:129 minutes, 12 secondsum, well, for me personally, at the most recent parade, I was walking back to the Bluffdale Park where they were having 9:209 minutes, 20 secondsall their events at with some of my teen girls. And they had kept walking, but somebody had talked about like, "Oh, there's the Queens." And I'd asked if 9:289 minutes, 28 secondsthey wanted a picture. Yeah. And it actually made their day because I found out that was relatives to the first runner up for Miss Bluffale. 9:369 minutes, 36 secondsOh, wow. 9:379 minutes, 37 secondsAnd she didn't get to say hi to them before running off and changing and that kind of made their day. And so me knowing that I can go out of my way to 9:459 minutes, 45 secondssay hi to someone and be the one to approach someone else and know that I can make their day by doing that. 9:509 minutes, 50 secondsYeah. I love that. you know, I it uh again that role that you have. Yeah. A lot of people, you know, really want to 9:589 minutes, 58 secondssee you and and and take a picture with you, right? You know, do that kind of stuff. So, you're you're part of a much bigger hole, I guess, right? You know, 10:0610 minutes, 6 secondscuz that crown will get passed to somebody else next year, right? You know, and and so but uh No, that's super cool. Um so, let's let's talk about Chapter 5: Life in Lehi: Community events and hometown pride 10:1310 minutes, 13 secondsLehi, then. You're Miss Lehi. So, uh what do you like most about Lehi? Why why do you you know I like the like amount of diversity we 10:2310 minutes, 23 secondshave here. We have like small town and then we have big tech and we've also got some stuff over at Thanksgiving Point. 10:2910 minutes, 29 secondsAnd so I feel like there's so many different people you can talk to. But I think even with the amount of different 10:3710 minutes, 37 secondspeople we have around here and the different values they have, we can still be able to have the city feel like home. 10:4310 minutes, 43 secondsOkay. Love that. Love that. What about you, Aspen? Do you like Lehi? Oh, love Lehi. I love our community and how 10:5010 minutes, 50 secondseverybody is just so close together and connected. I think that's something that's very unique to Lehi city. Sure. Okay. 10:5810 minutes, 58 secondsSo, I love it. And is the best. 11:0011 minutesIt is the best. Right. It is. You know, as you've gotten involved in the community, both of you now, right? You know, you're obviously a lot more involved. Has anything stood out to you? 11:1011 minutes, 10 secondsanything interesting like oh you know hey I I didn't realize that about the community or I didn't um I don't know just anything stand out to you both 11:1811 minutes, 18 secondsabout now that you've been more involved in the community something that surprised you I I felt like with my community service 11:2511 minutes, 25 secondsinitiative with the front with the front porch I already knew a fair amount of the events that are happening in Lehi 11:3211 minutes, 32 secondsbut now I've realized just how many there are because I'm always getting invited to them there's a few of them like weekly. Yeah. 11:4011 minutes, 40 secondsAnd it's just opened my eyes to how much is happening in Lehi. 11:4411 minutes, 44 secondsYeah. Love that. Okay. Uh Aspen, anything stand out to you? Anything surprise you? 11:4811 minutes, 48 secondsI think how welcoming everybody was with the new royalty. I was a little bit nervous. I was like, I don't know how people are going to react, especially 11:5611 minutes, 56 secondsfor me being so new to this. Most of the girls are very seasoned. Sure. 12:0212 minutes, 2 secondsAnd they were so welcoming and accepting the parades. I'd hear people like cheering for me and stuff and it was just such a cool experience. So loving. 12:1312 minutes, 13 secondsYeah. 12:1312 minutes, 13 secondsSo just welcomed us with opened arms and good. It was amazing. 12:1812 minutes, 18 secondsDo you get to associate with many people outside of Lehi then with your position? 12:2212 minutes, 22 secondsI mean you mentioned like Bluffdale and stuff like that, but do do you get or is it mostly people in Lehi? 12:2712 minutes, 27 secondsWe we like interact sometimes with other royalties, but we haven't like interacted with other cities if that makes sense. 12:3412 minutes, 34 secondsYeah. Okay. And what about any upcoming uh events? Are you excited for any like Hey, I'm really looking forward to this event that's coming up. 12:4212 minutes, 42 secondsYeah, we I just invited Aspen to this just barely actually. There's an event that's happening on September 1st, Labor Day. 12:5012 minutes, 50 secondsOkay. 12:5112 minutes, 51 secondsUm the I can't remember if it's a historical committee or if it's the arts council, but they are putting on a car show and an artist show and it's going 12:5912 minutes, 59 secondsto be at the Legacy Center. We also have a 5K for special needs that we're going to go help with and hand out medals for. So, I'm very excited for that. 13:0713 minutes, 7 secondsExciting. 13:0813 minutes, 8 secondsYeah. Really, again, just the diversity of what you're doing. A lot of different things. Okay, that's awesome. Um, so, uh, going back to the pageant and stuff Chapter 6: The Realities of Pageantry: Challenges, surprises, and lessons learned 13:1613 minutes, 16 secondslike that. Uh, what was some what was one of the most challenging parts of that pageant? I mean, was I'm assuming it's not an easy process and there's 13:2413 minutes, 24 secondsobviously a lot of people that want that position, right? You know, you know, my association with pageantry is probably just miseniality. You know, Sans, right? 13:3213 minutes, 32 secondsYou know, watching that movie, but tell me, you know, what are some of the challenges, I guess, of So, well, I've I've never actually seen miseniality. 13:4013 minutes, 40 secondsOh, yeah. I got you. Okay, good. Okay. 13:4313 minutes, 43 secondsLike, I get the Hollywood perceptions, but I think a lot of girls their hardest struggle is like getting out of their 13:5013 minutes, 50 secondshead and being present. It's a very scary thing to do and like you're critiquing how you're walking, you're critiquing how you're 13:5813 minutes, 58 secondstalking and so sometimes it feels like you're critiquing your personality, but you have to remember that you're not critiquing your personality, you're just polishing it. 14:0614 minutes, 6 secondsSure. 14:0614 minutes, 6 secondsAnd to remember to not lose yourself in the process. 100% agree with that. 14:1014 minutes, 10 secondsYeah. I love that. Aspen, anything you like anything that was challenging for you about the process? 14:1614 minutes, 16 secondsI feel like for me it was a lot of little things. you're reminded a lot of, hey, this is what you need to fix. This 14:2414 minutes, 24 secondsis what you need to do better. And it's not coming from a place of they're trying to tear you down. It's we want you to be the best version of yourself. 14:3114 minutes, 31 secondsSo, that's a little bit intimidating. 14:3314 minutes, 33 secondsAnd I agree with Jennifer, just not getting lost in all the craziness and yeah, you know, those little things and taking 14:4114 minutes, 41 secondstime to enjoy the experience because such a cool experience to have. 14:4614 minutes, 46 secondsGood. No, I love that and and I think that's probably good advice to anyone is, you know, that the balance between taking criticism because, you know, we 14:5414 minutes, 54 secondsall want to improve, right? We all want to be better, but not getting so depressed with it, right? You know, not oh, I'm worthless, you know? It's like, no, no, that's not 15:0315 minutes, 3 secondstrue. Uh, we're trying to improve, but, you know, so I think that's that's probably a lifelong skill. Yes. 15:0915 minutes, 9 secondsThat uh that'll that'll pay off in a lot of different ways for you. So, um, anything surprise you about the pageant process? Well, this was my fifth one, so 15:1815 minutes, 18 secondsI think Aspen's more equipped to do this. Anything anything surprised you, Aston? 15:2215 minutes, 22 secondsI was surprised at how many resources they provided us and how many practices they provided us? 15:3015 minutes, 30 secondsI was under the impression that I was like, "Okay, we're going to throw you on stage and you're going to compete in all these areas and we wish you luck." And 15:3715 minutes, 37 secondsit was not that at all. There was lots of interview prep and dance prep and I had a lot of people helping me with my evening gown walk and my fitness walk. 15:4815 minutes, 48 secondsSo, you come very prepared and I didn't expect to be so prepared. I feel like Lehi maybe is better at preparing the girls than some others. 15:5715 minutes, 57 secondsYeah. Good. Good. So, that was very surprising to me. 16:0016 minutesOkay. Yeah. Well, shout out to those that are in charge of it. So, I guess they did good. 16:0416 minutes, 4 secondsyou know, you kind of answered this a little bit, but I'll I'll we can elaborate a little bit more. But, um, how has this experience, you know, for both of you helped you grow both, you Chapter 7: Growing Through the Process: Confidence, leadership, and self-discovery 16:1216 minutes, 12 secondsknow, professionally, spiritually, emotionally, you know, any, you know, any of the above attributes, I guess, but how did how has this helped you just personally, I guess, in that regard? 16:2216 minutes, 22 secondsThere's a lot to be honest. I feel like it's a really lifechanging experience. 16:2816 minutes, 28 secondsIt's helped me refine who I am as a person and like define myself and create a personal brand to make sure that I am, 16:3616 minutes, 36 secondsyou know, similar across the board in everything I do. But I've also gained a lot of talking skills. 16:4416 minutes, 44 secondsI was not a great talker beforehand. I sometimes I still feel like I'm not. But lots of stuttering, not a lot of eye 16:5216 minutes, 52 secondscontact, and through a lot of interview practice, I've now become Miss Lehi, and now I get to do it every day. 16:5916 minutes, 59 secondsAnd and and get to make even more practice with it, I guess. Right. So, that's awesome. Aspen, what about you? 17:0517 minutes, 5 secondsI love the service that we've been able to do. I have always been told when you're serving others, you don't have time to feel down and sad about 17:1417 minutes, 14 secondsyourself. And I think that's so true in the positions that we're in is we're always serving. We're always trying to 17:2117 minutes, 21 secondshelp others. And so it really fills your bucket and makes you so much happier. Yeah. 17:2717 minutes, 27 secondsAnd then of course the skills that we've learned, interview skills. I feel more prepared to go into these job interviews 17:3417 minutes, 34 secondsand college interviews. public speaking, just holding yourself in a very classy, poise way that makes you maybe stand out 17:4317 minutes, 43 secondsmore than someone who hasn't had the same training, I guess, as we've had. 17:4817 minutes, 48 secondsAnd and and how did both of you get into this? I mean, what was this something I mean, you mentioned eight, you know, right? So, but you know, what is the 17:5617 minutes, 56 secondsprocess that somebody would take to get into this even? I mean, where do you have to apply to even get in or is this just anybody that wants to participate 18:0318 minutes, 3 secondsis able to participate? give us the I guess the kind of those details like if somebody's listening like hey I wouldn't mind doing that what's the process what 18:1118 minutes, 11 secondsdo they how do they do that so so I grew up watching my sister compete in pageantss she's now a director of what's called an open pageant okay 18:1918 minutes, 19 secondsbut in order to compete you have to be a resident of Utah and if you want to compete for Lehi you either have to be a full-time worker full-time student or 18:2818 minutes, 28 secondslive here that's generally how it is for the locals um you can also check on the Miss Utah website and they have a whole 18:3518 minutes, 35 secondslist on there of all of the pageantss that we have in Utah and you can find out if you can register for those or not. 18:4218 minutes, 42 secondsOkay, perfect. Love that. Did she miss anything? 18:4518 minutes, 45 secondsI don't think so. As far as once you're able or you know that you can compete, there's paperwork and workshops that 18:5418 minutes, 54 secondsyou'll start going to to get you ready and they go more into depth about what you're actually getting into. 19:0119 minutes, 1 secondYep. And then from there they're just getting you ready, preparing you. It's a pretty time 19:0819 minutes, 8 secondsconsuming thing. I mean, but if you get crowned, of course it's timeconuming, but the preparation there's a lot of 19:1619 minutes, 16 secondslike I would say we had weekly things going on. Okay. 19:1919 minutes, 19 secondsTo help us prepare. So, and is this how many how many what's the pool of people that are in this then? Like how many people are participate? 19:2719 minutes, 27 secondsThis year is eight. It's okay. Typically six to 10, somewhere between there for Lehi. 19:3219 minutes, 32 secondsOkay. Okay. What advice would you give to other women, young women that are looking at maybe going into this? What anything that you Chapter 8: Advice for Aspiring Contestants: Tips for the next generation 19:4019 minutes, 40 secondswould advise them to to do to to prepare or, you know, or would you say, "Hey, don't don't do this." You know? 19:4619 minutes, 46 secondsUm, I would say take your first year as a learning experience. Most girls don't win their first year and so don't get too knocked down if you don't win. and 19:5519 minutes, 55 secondsknow that next year you're going to be more prepared and it's going to be honestly a lot easier because you have a lot less groundwork you have to lay out and so be prepared for that. 20:0520 minutes, 5 secondsOkay, love that. 20:0620 minutes, 6 secondsI would say I encourage everyone to do it that can or that is interested. I was very intimidated and scared by it and at 20:1420 minutes, 14 secondsone point you would have asked me like hey do you want to run for a pageant and I would have been like are you joking me running for a pageant? But just choose a 20:2420 minutes, 24 secondstopic for your platform that you're very passionate about. I mean, I chose something that I'm going into so that I can really speak from the heart about it 20:3320 minutes, 33 secondsand you can tell my passion for it. And don't get caught up in maybe what you think the pageant stereotype should be 20:4020 minutes, 40 secondsand what you should wear and what how you should dress and how you should talk and just be yourself. Be bold. If you want to wear a crazy evening gown cuz it 20:4820 minutes, 48 secondssuits your personality, wear a crazy evening gown. They want to see the true you, not who you think they want you to be. 20:5620 minutes, 56 secondsYeah, judges are looking for authenticity and they aren't looking for a cookie cutter pageant queen. So, just come as you are. 21:0421 minutes, 4 secondsYeah. Perfect. Love that. Is there an age a minimum age to to be able to participate in this? Um, I think it's like 17 and a half. 21:1221 minutes, 12 secondsThey they do it based on birthdays. It's so that by the time you go to state, you'll be 18. 21:1721 minutes, 17 secondsOkay. Okay. So, what are your plans for the rest of your, you know, this this uh your reign, I guess, right? So, uh any Chapter 9: Looking Ahead: Future plans and continued service 21:2521 minutes, 25 secondsany plans, anything specifically that you're hoping to accomplish, I guess, besides what you've already kind of mentioned and stuff, but yeah, I'm hoping to host my own event. I 21:3421 minutes, 34 secondsreally want to have a band night and I want it to be for teens. While I was preparing for Miss Lehi, I asked a lot of people 21:4221 minutes, 42 secondswhat event would get them to come to a city event and lots of the teens said a band night and you know they hadn't 21:5021 minutes, 50 secondsconversed with each other. They didn't hear each other's answers and so I was like okay well obviously this is popular so I need to get that done. 21:5721 minutes, 57 secondsSo I'm excited to do that but I'd also really like to start a podcast actually which is kind of funny because we're doing one right now. 22:0422 minutes, 4 secondsThat's right. That's right. Take some notes I guess. Right. I want to have an everyday conversation podcast where I just sit and talk to people so that 22:1222 minutes, 12 secondspeople who feel socially awkward can get ideas of how to answer questions, how to ask them, how to interact with someone to help them build their own 22:2022 minutes, 20 secondsself-confidence to get out of their room and go talk to people. 22:2422 minutes, 24 secondsLove that. uh as far as you know going into life and career and stuff like 22:3122 minutes, 31 secondsthat, how anything that you think you'll take from this as you you know continue to go into your career and and you know become who you are meant to be? 22:4222 minutes, 42 secondsWell, besides like the skills we've talked about like interviewing, public speaking, I feel like like I'm wanting to go into sociology or communication, 22:5122 minutes, 51 secondssome type of career in there. And so I feel like it's huge for me to be able to talk to people and it's built up my work ethic as well. 23:0123 minutes, 1 secondIt's sort of forced me to do things that I wouldn't regularly do and so I'm very grateful for that. 23:0723 minutes, 7 secondsGood. Good. Love that. Love that. What about you, Aspen? 23:1023 minutes, 10 secondsWe like we mentioned, we have lots of interactions with little kids and where I'm wanting to go into pediatric ER nursing. 23:1723 minutes, 17 secondsYeah. I have learned lots of good skills and conversation starters and things that can maybe take their mind off of the critical situation that they're in. 23:2723 minutes, 27 secondsSo, I feel very blessed to have those experiences with the kids. 23:3123 minutes, 31 secondsGood. Love that. Where do you see you guys? Where do you see yourself in in 5 to 10 years? 23:3623 minutes, 36 secondsI will probably be out of college like just barely. 23:4223 minutes, 42 secondsSo, I'll just be starting my career. I am deciding if I want to go more of like the events route or if I want to go more of the reporter route with my career. 23:5123 minutes, 51 secondsSo, I'll either be going one or the other direction. I'll be starting that up. But since I haven't been a full-time student since starting college, I've 24:0024 minutesactually been in college for three years. 24:0224 minutes, 2 secondsI only just got out of being a freshman creditwise. Okay. 24:0624 minutes, 6 secondsAnd so, I'm very grateful for the scholarship opportunity that I get out of being Miss Lei. Yes. Now, I can be a full-time student. Yeah. 24:1424 minutes, 14 secondsIt won't take me eight years to get out of g. So, I'm very excited for that. 24:1824 minutes, 18 secondsGood. Good. No, I think that'll be great. I love that. What about yourself? Where I see myself in 5 to 10 years. Oo. 24:2624 minutes, 26 secondsHopefully married. Okay. I will be out of college. I'll be an RN. 24:3124 minutes, 31 secondsI will be working at Primary Children's and hopefully just getting to serve others. 24:3924 minutes, 39 secondsStill, bring light to others. be a role model to others. Yeah. Love that. Yeah. 24:4624 minutes, 46 secondsOkay. Well, I think you both have very bright futures, so I'm sure you'll do many good things. We'll see you around Lehi a lot and stuff like that. So, but 24:5524 minutes, 55 secondsuh um and I love what you're doing. I mean, I think you're both doing some great things and and uh getting to know the city better, right? you know, like you said, with all the events that that are 25:0325 minutes, 3 secondshappening and really there's, you know, just it's a great city that we're a part of and I think there's a lot of great people here and you're getting to know a 25:1125 minutes, 11 secondslot of them and help them and I I I it's love I love learning about these different things. That's part of the reason I've started doing this podcast, right, is just to get to know all these 25:1925 minutes, 19 secondsthings and I've been surprised at not s I shouldn't be surprised, but I've been surprised at just how many good people are doing a lot of good things, I guess, 25:2625 minutes, 26 secondsis what I would say, right? There's just a lot of good people doing good things here. So, you know, as we kind of wrap up here, any any Well, did we did we 25:3425 minutes, 34 secondscover everything that you wanted to cover? I guess is there anything that you're like, "Hey, well, forgot to ask me about this or that or anything like that?" Um, no. But everyone should go follow the front porch Utah. 25:4425 minutes, 44 secondsInstagram or Tik Tok? 25:4625 minutes, 46 secondsPerfect. Yes. And Miss Leehigh. Go follow see all of the cool things that we're getting to do. You guys are doing perfect. Okay. 25:5325 minutes, 53 secondsAwesome. Okay. you know, as we wrap up here then, you know, any last messages you would share just to people in general in in Lehi here? Any, you know, 26:0226 minutes, 2 secondsdeparting message that you would that you would give people? 26:0626 minutes, 6 secondsI'd say that Lehi is amazing and all the people in it are amazing and we've have a very nice community here and I hope 26:1426 minutes, 14 secondsthat people can get more involved in it as we keep growing. 26:1826 minutes, 18 secondsOkay, love that. Aspen, I would just say never take living in this amazing city for granted. We are 26:2726 minutes, 27 secondsalso blessed to have each other in such a strong, close-knit community, and 26:3426 minutes, 34 secondshopefully we'll get to meet more of our city throughout the next little bit. And yeah, we're just so blessed to have this opportunity. Yes, very excited. 26:4626 minutes, 46 secondsGood. Well, thank you both of you for coming on and uh and good luck with the rest of the year the year so with all that you guys are doing. So thanks for having us. 26:5426 minutes, 54 secondsDo many good things. So thank you. Thank you for joining us on Roots and Branches of Lehi. I hope today's story helped you feel a little more connected to the people who make up our community. 27:0427 minutes, 4 secondsRemember, every person here has a unique story and together we're what makes Lehi feel like home. If you know someone who would be a great fit for this podcast, 27:1327 minutes, 13 secondsplease fill out the form in the show notes so we can reach out and schedule an interview. We'd love to hear from you. A big thank you to our sponsors, 27:2027 minutes, 20 secondsthe Workheart Home Mortgage team and Play Harding Nightly Vacation Rentals for supporting this show and helping us bring our community closer together. 27:2727 minutes, 27 secondsUntil next time, keep growing those roots and reaching out to your branches. Take care. Sync to video time
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