(Story Contribution To Leslie A. Meyer Photography)
Miss Missouri candidates from across the state, their pageant directors and families will travel to the heart of Missouri June 11 to kick off a week filled with rehearsals, talent performances, interviews, and evening gowns at Missouri Military Academy.
Representing the upper western portion of the state is Miss Northwest Counties Emily Laskowski. She is the daughter of Heather and Richard Corder of Jonesburg and is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Truman State University in Kirksville.
As a member of the Sigma competition group, Emily will have her personal interview with the judges on Wednesday afternoon, followed by the health and fitness preliminary Wednesday evening or night one of preliminary competition. During the first night of preliminaries, Emily will also perform her talent, a clarinet solo. On Thursday, she will have her on-stage conversation with the judges and the evening gown competition.
Emily’s social impact initiative is “Grow from the Ground Up.” This program educates children about the resources their communities have for them as they grow up in poverty. These resources include food pantries, scholarships for college, and clothing or hygiene items.
“It also empowers children that they can do anything they put their minds to in order to succeed,” she explained.
Pageant week will begin Sunday, June 12 when the Miss Missouri candidates move onto the Missouri Military Academy’s campus. Throughout the week, the Miss Missouri candidates will participate in a wide variety of activities, ending on Saturday afternoon with a meet and greet for area residents on the courthouse lawn, located in downtown Mexico.
The preliminary competition begins Tuesday, June 14 and will continue through Friday, June 17. The organization will crown the new Miss Missouri Saturday night, June 18, as it says goodbye to reigning Miss Missouri Callie Cox. After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri will begin a hectic schedule of preparations for the Miss America stage and competition, to be held later this year.
The Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization is one of the largest providers of scholarships to young women in the state. This year, the organization will award more than $85,000 in scholarships between the Miss Missouri and Outstanding Teen programs.
Tickets for the Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen Pageants are available through the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 West Jackson Street or by calling 573-581-2765.