Miss Alaska visits Nome
Royalty came to Nome last week when 2023 Miss Alaska Hannah Utic landed in town to do some community outreach and spread her message of civic involvement.
Utic was crowned this June, after graduating from University of Alaska Anchorage this year. She graduated with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Communications.
Utic says the trip to Nome has been a long time in the works. “I was originally scheduled to visit Nome this summer during the diabetes prevention camp, but it sadly didn’t end up working out. I knew I wanted to visit still so we just looked for a week that I could visit all the schools,” Utic said, adding that this was her first time in Nome. “As Miss Alaska, I feel it is so important that I visit as many communities in as much of Alaska as possible, so that was a major reason to visit Nome. I am a lifelong Alaskan but was born and raised in Anchorage, which is definitely much more of an urban lifestyle than northern Alaska, and I want to experience the diverse lifestyles and climatic zones of our state,” she said.
While in Nome, Utic toured quite a bit, reaching out to individuals in many different parts of the Nome community. “I had the privilege of visiting the high school where I was given a tour of the school, spoke to several classes, got to play a bit of basketball with the PE class, and also got to meet some fun middle schoolers, who were in the cafeteria enjoying their breakfast,” she said.
The following day she visited Nome Elementary School, where she said, “got a hug from I think just about every kindergartener, first, second, and third grader.”
She didn’t get to meet the fourth and fifth graders as she was whisked off to speak at the weekly Rotary club meeting.
Two of her mornings began on the radio. “I had a such a fun time chatting with hosts on the morning shows of both KNOM and KICY where we talked about everything from my Community Service Initiative, “Civic Involvement Through Informed Voting” and my work with student governments to my skydiving plans. The general highlight for me was the incredibly warm welcome I received from everyone I met, especially the kiddos. Their excitement absolutely melted me and I loved getting to meet each one of them,” Utic said.
While she was in Nome, Utic wore her crown and sash, posed for pictures, and spoke to audiences. Especially important to her, however, was the chance to spread awareness about civic engagement throughout the Nome community.
“I wanted to discuss the importance of being civically involved and engaged in one’s community and in our local and state governments,” Utic said, “Voter turnout and engagement in general in this state is absolutely tragic and I hope to change that. I feel that one of biggest ways we can change this current dynamic is by raising up the next generation to cherish the freedoms we are privileged to have in this country and help them understand the duty they have to participate.”
According to Utic, educating people on civic engagement is an important part of her reign as Miss Alaska. “During my year as Miss
Alaska, my main goals are to promote my (Community Service Initiative) and help turn around the frankly apathetic state of my generation when it comes to civic involvement; promote this outstanding program I am privileged to be apart of and encourage more girls to get involved, especially those outside of Southcentral
Alaska as I really would like to see representation from all parts of our state competing for the title of Miss Alaska; and represent our incredible state of Alaska to the best of my abilities on the Miss America stage this upcoming January,” Utic said.