2025 Queen of the Chesapeake

Lea Utterbaugh - Bush River Yacht Club

Hello Officers and Members of the Yacht Club Community,

My name is Lea Utterbaugh, and I am honored to serve as the 2025 Queen of the Chesapeake. I’m 17 years old and recently graduated a year early from high school. This fall, I will begin studying for my Associate’s degree in Journalism: New Media & Advertising/Film & Media Production. I plan to continue on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Productions. My dream is to work in the media side of motorsports, especially in Formula One or IndyCar.

I work in a nursery during the fall and as a full-time sixth-grade counselor during the summer. I regularly attend my church’s teen girls’ Bible study and serve in the nursery once a month. I’m also an active member of my church’s youth group, which meets weekly, and I go line dancing with friends every other week.

A few fun facts about me: I am a huge Formula One fan, cheering especially for Ferrari. I love reading, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing with people I care about. Whether it's having a conversation or watching a movie, I truly enjoy being with those closest to me. In the summer, I spend most of my evenings at my yacht club with friends, music, and sunsets. During the winter, I enjoy trivia, cornhole, line dancing, and live music. My family calls me the “Human Encyclopedia” because I know a lot of random facts. I also cannot tolerate gluten, which has earned it the title of my nemesis.

As Queen, I have chosen to support Harford Family House, an organization that provides transitional housing for families with children and for young adults facing homelessness. They are unique in that they keep families, including fathers, together during housing crises. Their mission is to create long-term solutions to homelessness, built on the values of integrity, respect, and accountability.

I feel deeply connected to their mission. While I have not personally experienced homelessness, I understand what it feels like for life to change overnight and to be unsure of what comes next. That sense of vulnerability is what drew me to this organization. Harford Family House gives people hope and a fresh start.

Thank you for your support. I look forward to serving and representing this community with gratitude and heart.

78th Queen of the Chesapeake