By Shaun Delliskave|[email protected]

Savannah Angle was named Miss Murray 2019 on Sept. 25 at Murray High School. The victory comes with a $3,000 scholarship. Savannah will apply that toward her education in dance education at Brigham Young University. 

Savannah has attended Utah Dance Artists and participated in their Artists in Training Program while continuing her dancing in jazz and ballroom. She was also a member of the Kinnect Dance Company at BYU, an outreach dance company that performs and teaches in over 25 elementary schools across Utah. Currently, Savannah is on DancEnsemble, a choreography-centered contemporary dance company.

Q: What inspired you to enter the pageant? 

A: I originally entered the pageant as a fun thing to do one summer with a friend, but then quickly realized that becoming Miss Murray could be a way to make a difference through the arts and dance. 

Q: What was it like to be named Miss Murray?

A:  I was pretty surprised when they announced “Contestant #1, Savannah Angle” as the new Miss Murray 2019! The entire day following the pageant I think I was in shock. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I have received from so many people throughout different areas of my life, and the confidence they have in me to represent our city. 

Q: What have you learned about yourself during the process? 

A: I’ve always known that dance and being an advocate for the arts was important to me, but I have felt a renewed desire to make the arts a big part of our community culture in Murray. I’ve also learned that being glamorous (doing makeup and hair for pageants) is hard work! 

Savannah Angle and brother Caleb. (Photo courtesy Savannah Angle)

 Q: What is your platform as Miss Murray?

A:  “Better Together–Arts in Education” and “People don’t just want art–they need art.” Within the public education system in America, arts education is needed to give students a well-rounded curriculum and experience in all core subjects. If America is going to stay competitive among the international education scene, it must implement the arts into core curriculum. Experiences in the arts bring people from all different walks of life together and can teach tolerance, love, and acceptance amidst a world that is so harshly divided. Arts education in America needs a resurgence due to all of the creative skills and benefits it provides students, as well as an appreciation of unity in diversity within the community. Students will be enhanced through the talents they gain throughout their personal journey in the arts in schools. 

Q: What inspired your choice of platform?

 A: I have personally been changed by the arts; they have made me who I am today. And I have seen the power that the arts can have in the lives of others, helping them shape and discover their personal identity and enhancing children’s overall learning in the classroom. 

Q: What is something interesting we should know about you?

A: Besides being a dance teacher, I am also a licensed nail technician at “Savvy Nails.” And I have a real love for my car, Roxie, a baby-blue Volkswagen Beetle.

Q: Tell us about family and friends who were influential to you, and what are some of the most meaningful things they have done? 

A: I have amazing friends and family who support me in every crazy thing I choose to do. My mom is the woman behind every success I have ever had. She puts everyone else’s needs in front of her own, and I wouldn’t be the dance teacher, or human being, that I am today without her every word, crockpot meal, and hidden note at any life event.