Summerhalder was selected as the 2022 Utah Miss Amazing First Runner-up, but the current Miss Queen is unable to attend the summit, so Summerhalder is attending in her place. According to a press release, both women will serve as co-Queens until spring 2023, when the next Utah Miss Amazing Amplify event is held.

Summerhalder said it felt great knowing she is going to nationals.

“My favorite part of Miss Amazing is that I love to be on stage,” she said.

Miss Amazing is a nonprofit organization with a mission to, according to the website, “provide opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to consider their goals, step outside of their comfort zones, and build networks of support. By investing in girls with disabilities, we nurture a strong community of leaders who push back against stereotypes and advocate for change, thereby creating even greater opportunities for the next generation.”

The first Miss Amazing pageant was held in 2007. Now, there are programs in 32 states. Miss Amazing first came to Utah in 2012. Ben Summerhalder said his daughter Mary Beth has been involved with all 11 pageants in the state. She won the junior teen category in 2012 and fell in love with pageantry.

“She liked it so much, we just kept her involved,” Ben Summerhalder said.

Mary Beth Summerhalder also won the teen and junior miss categories in 2015 and 2017. On Monday, she received her queen’s sash, tiara and trophy at a Chick-fil-A in Provo. Imari MacKay, Utah Miss Amazing State Director, presented the awards to Mary Beth Summerhalder.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Mary Beth, her family, her work, and her community today to award her with her sash, crown, and trophy,” MacKay said in a press release. “Mary Beth is a joy to be around; she is friendly and caring, and it was amazing to see the support from her community applaud her in her accomplishments.”

At the national event, about 150 competitors will come together and participate in various activities and pageant events. Ben Summerhalder said the event is spread out across several days to accommodate the girls’ needs. Each queen will have a judge interview, talent presentation, self-introduction and much more. Mary Beth Summerhalder said she will be singing for her talent presentation. Her favorite song is “Tale as Old as Time” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

“This has been so good for Mary Beth over the years,” Ben Summerhalder said. “It has helped her develop and grow so much. There’s a reason it’s called Miss Amazing for a reason because of all the amazing things this does for the girls.”

The Summerhalder family is trying to fundraise to help offset some of the costs to attend the national event. Ben Summerhalder said it will cost his family of four $8,000 to attend the event. He is seeking donations which can be accepted through Venmo @Ben-Summerhalder or calling 801-368-9246 to donate by check or cash.