Former pageant тιтleholder Brynn Carnesecca has pᴀssed away at the age of 21, just weeks before she was scheduled to compete in another pageant.

During a candlelight vigil held Tuesday evening in American Fork, Utah, family, friends, and community members gathered wearing yellow to celebrate Brynn’s life and honor her memory.

Speaking at the vigil, her mother, Michele Carnesecca, encouraged those in attendance to remember her daughter for the joy and compᴀssion she brought to others.

“She is more than what happened to her,” Michele said. “We would like to celebrate the amazing life she lived.”

Brynn was crowned Miss American Fork in 2024 and also received the Miss Congeniality award during last year’s Miss Utah compeтιтion. According to her social media profile, she had been preparing to compete in the Miss Provo pageant later this month.

Beyond pageantry, Brynn was an accomplished journalist who worked with a local television station and had articles published in several newspapers.

She also founded Envelopes of Hope, a nonprofit initiative created during her Miss Utah campaign that connected incarcerated individuals with members of the community through a pen-pal program.

“I’ve seen so many lives change and how much empathy and connection can be built through these letters,” Brynn said in a previous interview. “As we reach out through this program, our worldview expands, and I’ve seen some amazing friendships take shape.”

Her mother described Brynn as a gifted, compᴀssionate young woman whose life was centered on helping others.

“Oh, how she loved to laugh,” Michele shared. “Her life was all about service. She loved serving as Miss American Fork, and she was always finding quiet ways to help people.”
The Miss American Fork organization also paid tribute to Brynn, remembering her warmth, generosity, and unwavering support for those around her.

“Your beautiful smile, your kindness, your pᴀssion, and the way you encouraged everyone around you will never be forgotten,” the organization wrote. “Your legacy will live on through every crown, every sash, and every young woman who represents Miss American Fork in the future.”

Brynn’s cousin has launched a fundraising campaign to help the family with memorial expenses, writing that Brynn touched countless lives through both her work and her generosity.

She is remembered not only for her accomplishments, but for the compᴀssion, service, and genuine kindness that left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

Source: New York Post