It may have taken Miss Nebo 2025 Erika Dalton several years to accomplish her goal of being crowned at the state level as Miss Utah, but with two milestone celebrations happening this year — the timing seems just right.
The 26-year-old was crowned Miss Utah 2026 during the final night of the Miss Utah organization’s 100th celebration on June 20, at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City.
“I wake up every day and I’m like having to pinch myself, still trying to get used to the fact that it really happened,” she said. “I’ve competed for the Miss Utah program for three years, so it’s something I’ve been working towards and really dreamt of ever since I was a little girl.”
While donning the crown of Miss Utah is certainly a dream come true for Dalton, her story spans beyond the pageant stage.
Before making the trek to the midwest to attend and graduate from the University of Michigan, Dalton’s childhood growing up in southern Utah was influenced by music. She developed an early interest in the art as both of her parents played different instruments.
“My mom is an incredible pianist — she currently plays piano for Ballet West. My dad plays saxophone, so I’ve always been surrounded by music,” she recalled.
At just four-years-old Dalton began learning how to play the violin. A former student of the Peterson School of Music — Dalton’s musical journey is marked by her dedication to the craft from rigorous training, and a bevy of accomplishments.
“I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to solo at Carnegie Hall, I’ve been able to solo with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. I also received a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music, and so I’m so grateful for everything that music has taught me,” she said.
Dalton is a firm believer in the power the music has to uplift and bring people together. She works fundraising for the Peterson School of Music, which provides music education in Title One schools to provide accessibility to students and share her passion for music.
When the music stops
Another prevalent issue Dalton is a strong advocate of is for survivors of sexual violence.
Dalton’s community service initiative, Street Smarts – Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention, focuses on education, empowerment, and equipping individuals with the tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual violence.
The initiative sparked by her own personal experience.
“I’m a survivor myself and so that is really what makes me so passionate about the work that I do,” she said.
The effort, while a heavy one, tackles a grim reality in the state.
According to the Rape Recovery Center, one in three Utah women and one in six men in the state will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime.
Dalton says her goal over the next year is to highlight the work of more than a dozen rape crisis centers across Utah, including The Refuge Utah in Orem where she serves as a certified crisis advocate.
“As much as I think my advocacy started from my own personal experience, it’s really been fueled by the experiences I’ve had with other survivors and hearing their stories, and that’s really what has kept me going in this space,” she said. “it’s definitely a heavy topic, but I am just
so passionate about the importance of the work that is being done, and especially in a state like Utah, we have some of the highest rates of sexual assault and child sexual abuse.”
Honoring 100 years of Miss Utah
Prior to Dalton’s crowning of Miss Utah, she also served as Miss Nebo and Miss Utah County.
While previous attempts to win at the state level didn’t work out at first, the stars have seemingly aligned for Dalton to take the crown during the Miss Utah organization’s centennial celebration. In addition to the 250th celebration of the United States of America.
“This experience would not have happened if it wasn’t for having to fail and try again and come back year after year and have that determination,” she said.
Through all of the resilience and perseverance, Dalton said she’s honored to represent the state and local communities as part of a meaningful tradition.
“For me, I really see this as a year of gratitude for every single person who got us to this 100 year milestone,” she added.
Dalton was also awarded a $15,000 scholarship and will represent Utah at the Miss America Competition later this year. She plans to carry forward a century-long heritage of scholarship, leadership, talent, and service.
