Girls Camp in August

This post is a little late… but it was a great highlight of my summer.  Here are some pics from one of the YW leader’s blogs:

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Karmel Larson was crowned Mrs. Utah United States on April 25, 2009, having never before entered a pageant. She was drawn to the program for the emphasis placed on promoting a platform. Her platform for this year is “Declaring Decency: Engaging Civic Leaders, Educators and Families in a T.E.A.M Effort to Stand For Decency.” With this platform she will work with a different population of Utah leaders each month to provide resources in the areas of Treatment, Education, Activism and Monitoring to promote decency in families, schools and our communities.

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Thank you Mrs. Utah for coming and sharing your testimony with us. It was so fun to have you at camp! Good luck in your endeavors, and you go girl!!!

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Professional Photos from Mrs. United States

Where did I go?

Anyone wondering why I’m not posting?———-I know someone is because I can see on my blog stats that lots of people keep checking my blog each day and are probably disappointed that I haven’t been updating.   Well…. much has happened and indeed there is much to share and report on, but that will have to wait a few more weeks.  We are moving this weekend and packing a business and family of nearly 7 is all consuming while in the third trimester of pregnancy.  So once I recover and have a normally functioning environment and family life again, then I’ll resume posting and share all of the exciting updates.  Then I can resume my Mrs. Utah updates and e-mails again as well.  This past month and the next few weeks have required more of Mrs. Larson than Mrs. Utah.  Thanks for being patient.  Life doesn’t always go according to my visions and great plans.  (I think it’s going to turn out even better if I can survive this move.)

Here is one teaser photo.  I loved speaking at this girl’s camp this summer!  The experience was so enlightening!  I’ll share more soon….

Best Buddies Fundraiser at La Caille

Emily Nelson, Mrs. Utah 2008, invited me to attend the Best Buddies of Utah Fundraiser at La Caille back in August.  It was a great event that she was in charge of planning and organizing.  She continues to do so much good!

White Ribbon Week Meeting for PTA

Brad Barton, myself, Whitney from Utah Netsmartz.net and John Gunter Jr. from Citizens For Families.  I’m grateful to each of these professionals who came to help me pass along information on White Ribbon Week to PTA Presidents at the Provo Library on August 13th in an effort to promote the EDUCATION part of T.E.A.M. Decency.  Here’s a link to the information we shared at this meeting.

White Ribbon Week Resources

Let me know if your child’s school is launching a White Ribbon Week for the first time!  So many are starting up this year-it’s exciting!  A tremendous thanks to each of you who helped this important meeting come together!!!

Mrs. United States Photos

Great Friends, Dinner and Mrs. Utah America

Tonight I enjoyed a wonderful evening of friendship as pageant friends gathered for dinner and then to attend the Mrs. Utah America Pageant at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo.  A good friend, Heidi Murray, was crowned the new Mrs. Utah America 2009.  Her platform is a Voice for Autism.  She will do such great things!  It was so great to be with these wonderful women and to catch up on each others lives.  My life is too blessed!  So many great people surround me and inspire me continuously.

Presentation at PIC Meeting, Sponsored by United Way

Today I had the opportunity to speak to members of the PIC (Partners For Infants and Children) Committee sponsored by the United Way.  I was overwhelmed with the positive response and outpouring of ideas and desires to volunteer and help that followed.  More e-mails came from the group as I arrived home.

One woman volunteered to solicit help from the the Regional PTA Representative to promote White Ribbon Week.  Another individual wanted to pass along Child-Appropriate Resolution information to each of her children living in Utah Cities where resolutions have not been passed.  One father in attendance was anxious to have a referral for internet filters.  So many others were moved to action as well.

This has been the typical response I have found from fellow Utah citizens as I have been invited to speak on decency at various events.  I’m grateful to be among such wonderful company!

As I head to Las Vegas next week to compete at the Mrs. United States Pageant, I look forward to promoting Decency to a national audience that I hope to find as receptive as the great citizens of Utah.  Thank you for your support and for helping me to spread this message!

Davis County Junior Miss Scholarship Program

I was invited to be a judge for the Davis County Junior Miss Scholarship Program yesterday.  It was a wonderful experience to see how well prepared and well-rounded these girls were.  I wan’t familiar with this program prior to this invitation.  Now I will recommend it to everyone who has teenage girls.  These girls were so talented, poised, intelligent and fit!  For fitness they performed a 5+ minute physical fitness routine complete with double time pushups.  I would be thrilled if Abby participated in such a program in the future.  These were high quality girls with direction, purpose and excellent training!  I’d like to meet each of their mothers and get some tips!  The judges were all so wonderful as well.  It was an inspiring day of women seeking to improve themselves and their communities!  The Provo Junior Miss Program will be in October, if any one is interested in that-I can connect you with the director.

Freedom Festival Baby Contest at UVU

I was invited to present on TEAM Decency and American Mothers at the Baby Contest last weekend.  Presentations were held in an activity room filled with play stations and information booths.  It was a very comfortable and casual setting.  I even roamed around the room with the mic during the 30 minute presentation and was able to talk with alot of the moms.  I am always happy and inspired to see moms who are seeking improvment for themselves and their children.  There were great play ideas.  Two of my favorites were a mini pool filled with styrophome and bubble wrap taped to the floor.  Here are some pics…

A Few More Mrs. Utah Photos

The official pageant photographer, Chad Braithwaite of Faces Photography, just provided each contestant with a CD of photos.  Here are some of his shots:

PTA Convention at BYU

This week I was invited to attend the UT State PTA Convention at BYU.  I was able to give a presentation on White Ribbon Week and to promote decency in the commissioners hall. Here’s a short clip of the intro I gave on White Riboon Week:

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Here I am, pictured below, with a fellow member from Citizens For Families promoting White Ribbon Week and Community Decency Standards.  I was also able to share information about the Parents Television Council and my platform on Decency.  I met so many great women from all over Utah who were volunteering to improve their children’s education and school experience.  It was a great day to be in the midst of so many good women.

Honoring Motherhood Event at White Willow

This was the most wonderful celebration of Motherhood I have ever attended!  I’m so grateful for such inspiring women whose friendship daily blesses my life!  It was a privilege to be able to share my platform at this great event!

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Some Recent Media

Speaking in SLC May 9th-

Deseret News

Daily Herald

Here is my portion of the Daily Herald article on Mother’s Day.  Also highlighted were Dixie Clifford, Utah Mother of the Year and Danielle Kennington, Utah Young Mother of the Year.  Click the Daily Herald link above for the entire article.

Karmel Larson — Mrs. Utah United States

Age: 32

Lives in: Provo

Married to: Brigham

Hobbies: Reading, square-foot gardening, movies

Recently read: “The Power of Positive Parenting” by Glenn Latham, “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine

Lots of people have a favorite historical figure. For Karmel Larson, it’s Abigail Adams, wife of America’s second president, John Adams. “We named our daughter after her,” said Larson, a mother of four children (the youngest is 18 months and the oldest is 6) who grew up in Washington state. “She’s a perfect blend of a woman who had her own accomplishments but was fiercely devoted to her family.”

Speaking to Mapleton Young Women

I was invited to talk to the Mapleton 7th Ward Young Women about modesty.  Their leaders were so excited that I had won the evening wear award with a modest dress.  I also shared with them this article, about Mrs. Texas International, who was crowned last week, wearing the only dress with sleeves.  Wonderful girls… it was a great honor to be with them!

One of my favorite Mapleton babysitters, cute Megan.

Walk For Autism

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Our family was invited to attend the Walk For Autism at UVU to help promote this fantastic event.  I was so sad for the organizers that the rain poured down and lessened their attendance.  It was an amazing event for those true blue supporters who came out despite the rain.  Our kids had fun despite the downpour!  I am excited to be able to share this experience and opportunity to serve Utah as often as possible with my children.  What a rainy day memory we made!  We had a great discussion in the van, before and after the event, teaching our children about disabilities.

Crown and Sash Photo Shoot

One of my first assignments was to have this photo shoot done for the Mrs. United States Pageant Program book.  So mark your calendars for July 23rd and 24th in Vegas!

More Mrs. Utah videos and photos

On stage questions:

Our kids being interviewed by Brigham on their way to haircuts for pageant night!

Me with Emily Nelson, Mrs. Utah United States 2008

Opening number and contestant intros:

My wonderful husband escorting me.

My wonderful kiddos!  Baby got left at home.

Introducing myself…

Oh…. I love this guy!

I really grew to appreciate all of these women and their many talents.  The entire pageant was without negative incident.  Everyone was always so helpful and kind!  Love them all!!!!!!!

The opening number final pose.

Amazing ladies!  The top 10… and so many amazing women still on the stairs.  I’m glad I wasn’t judging.

On stage question with Laura Dugovic.

Winning evening gown award, presented by Emily Nelson-Mrs. Utah United States 2008.

Brigham’s first smile at me.  So madly in love with him!

Our happy family (look at Abby’s face-so excited!)

Brigham’s parents, Greg and Maya.

Sweet, sweet Abby!

My mom, Diana, and sister, Heather, who flew in from WA.  Thanks sister for taking all of these photos!!!!!

Thanks Heidi Murray for the little crown for Abby!  She was so excited to have it!  She’s been wearing it all week!

My neice, Brooke, who flew in from WA!

I’m so grateful for everyone who helped me accomplish this goal of promoting my platform-TEAM Decency!  You can see my first weekly video update a few posts down on this blog (hot pink shirt video).  Send me an e-mail to be on my weekly e-mail list for updates and ideas on how to “Stand For Decency”.   karmel.larson@gmail.com.

Featured on www.startupprincess.com

Thank you to Kelly King Anderson for featuring me on her website www.startupprincess.com.   She was the first one up on stage offering her congrats!

Here’s the link:

http://startupprincess.com/wordpress/congratulations-to-mrs-utah-united-states-2009-karmel-larson-a-startup-princess/

Thanks Kelly!  She was so helpful and generous with my pageant prep.  Now she is offering lots of help and tips to launch my platform with speed and power!  So grateful for devoted family and dedicated friends!  I have been flooded with support!

Love to you all,

Karmel

PS-Anyone have any good resources for websites?

I am feeling so grateful…

…and soooooo excited to get to work sharing my platform.

Here’s the video of the top five.  (I love Brigham’s screaming as he records!)

Here is the evening gown video.    It was my favorite moment of the evening when, in a moment of silence, Abby called out, “I love you mom!”.  Oh the precious moments of motherhood.   It melted my heart and I think the hearts of the judges and audience too.  I was awarded the evening gown award.  What an honor and opportunity I have been given.   I’m overwhelmed with joy and anticipation!

More photos and videos coming soon.  I’m so grateful for everyone who helped and supported me in this endeavor.

Love to you all! -Karmel

One week to go!

Tickets are almost sold out!  Are you coming?  www.coveycenter.org to buy tickets!

We had our final practice today and it was great.  This whole opportunity has been so wonderful and I’m excited to pull it all together next Saturday.   -Karmel

Some of my pageant friends at our last rehearsal:

Mrs. Utah Gala at La Caille

What a fabulous success this event was!  A great celebration and effective fundraiser to support the platform of the next Mrs. Utah.

Only 4 weeks until the pageant…. have you bought your tickets yet?  Tell me if you are coming!  I think I’m going to have the biggest cheering section that night.  I’m lucky to have a home court advantage having the event held in Provo!  More importantly, I’m lucky to have so many friends and family who are coming to support me.  I’ve been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support.  So blessed with so many wonderful people in my life who believe in my efforts!  So come… it’s only $15!   See you there!  Love Karmel

Study: Utah No.1 in online porn subscriptions

Way to go Utah!

We’re #1, We’re #1, We’re #1!

By DAWN HOUSE
Salt Lake Tribune

Despite its conservative political bent, Utah’s per-capita appetite for online pornography makes it the nation’s run-away red-light state.

A study by a Harvard Business School professor shows that Utah outpaces the more conservative states — which all tend to purchase more Internet porn than other states.

Mrs. Utah Gala at La Caille

Would you like to enjoy an evening with us at the Mrs. Utah Gala at La Caille, One of Utah’s premier award winning restaurants?   This will be a night to honor and introduce the 26 contestants.  All proceeds will benefit the platform of Mrs. Utah 2009.  Our table will seat 10 and so we need 4 fabulous couples to enjoy the evening with.  Does the following menu look good?

Coconut Shrimp, Bruschetta, Spring Geens w/Raspberry Vinaigrette, Chicken Picatta and Tournedos Skewers., Fresh Breads.
Dessert Trio of Chocolate Chantilly Cake, Creme Brulee, and Fruit Tart.

This typically costs around $85 per plate!  For this event, tickets are only $55!  You can click on the invitation above to purchase tickets.  Be sure to e-mail or call me to let me know you are coming so that we can have you seated at our table.

Here are some more LaCaille photos and info about the Gala:

The celebrity guest is Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, a VERY well known football player who won the Heisman Trophy in 1972. He will be bringing a autographed football with some of the recent Heisman Trophy winners on it, which has auctioned off for several of thousands of dollars.   There will also be other celebrities there including Miss Utah and other football icons.

You ONLY have until MARCH 23RD to purchase tickets. No additional tickets will be sold after that date, so be sure to purchase them before the 23rd!

Purchase tickets