Ascend Gala

I have been lucky enough since winning the title of Mrs. Utah to work with some amazing non-profit groups. One of them is Ascend Humanitarian Alliance. I have been working on a big gala they had tonight for the past 3 months as the chair of the VIP Hostesses. I was also invited as one of the celebrities for the evening. It has been such a wonderful experience, and a lot of work!! Tonight it all paid off as we had a wonderful night and met some really great people.

Training the girls on all of the last minute details before their celebrities arrived.

Here I am with Alicia Warnock. She was Mrs. Utah in 2006. She also happens to be my director and one of my good friends. It was fun to have her at this event with me.

This is Haley Yarbrough. Her Dad was my mission president. She also was Miss Kaysville/Fruit Heights last year so I invited her to participate in our event. She is so great. I really love her family. Her dad is where Hunter gets his middle name. It was fun to get to know her a little bit better.

This is our whole group. We had 17 VIP Hostesses in all. It was so much fun.

Josh had to get a picture of this horrid microphone that I had to wear the whole time. I never even used it!

Lauren Robinson, Me, Cari Southwick and Arial Larsen. I feel like I made such great friends through participating in this event. These women did such a fantastic job hosting the celebrities.

Kent Norton and Ruth Todd were the MCs for the evening. They made it look so easy! They did a great job.

Josh and I with Reno Mahe. I think Josh was a little starstruck!

Haley Yarbrough, LaVell Edwards and Me. It was so much fun to meet all of these amazing people.

Alica Warnock and me with Sharlene Wells Hawkes. Sharlene was Miss America. Also on ESPN. She was always one of my heros growing up.

Josh and I at our table. You can't see the food, but it was amazing. I strongly recommend the Grand America!

All of the queens went up on stage to help with part of the live auction.

What a good sport! LaVell Edwards put on a lei and grass skirt for our auction.

Reno Mahe threw in a dance for the winner of the Hawaii package in the auction. It was so funny to see LaVell go into his classic stance. I loved it!

LaVell Edwards, Andy Toolson and Vernon Law.

Emily Daniels Miss Lehi. These girls were all so sweet!

This is Krystal Millard. She is Miss Orem. Way cute girl.