Emily Nelson was crowned Mrs. Utah United States on May 23, 2008. Since that time life has gone full speed ahead! Emily’s platform for this year is “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade: Accepting and Overcoming Adversity.” With this platform she has sought opportunities to be with those who have been given an extra dose of the lemons of life and share her message of hope and healing with them.  

As Mrs. Utah, Emily has had the opportunity to participate in various charities and is a member of numerous Boards of Directors. She is the Founder of Project Lemonade, a non-profit organization that seeks to help children that are in extreme adversity. She especially wants to help the children of jail inmates as she has had the opportunity to take three such children into her home while their mother was in jail. During this amazing experience Emily recognized the need for guidance and assistance to people taking these children into their lives. She has teamed up with a member of the Utah House of Representatives to work on passing two pieces of legislation, which she is currently working on.  

Emily is also on the Board of Directors for Best Buddies of Utah as well as Ascend Humanitarian Alliance. She has had many choice opportunities to serve the people of Utah through these organizations.  

Since winning the title of Mrs. Utah United States Emily has realized that the most important role she could be in is a wife and mother. Her three boys and her husband continue to be the most important parts of her world.

One of Emily’s favorite things about being Mrs. Utah is that she has the chance to be out among the people of Utah. She has also had the opportunity to see many people giving of their time and resources to others. Emily is grateful for this experience to see all the goodness in the people of the State of Utah