Emily Cook Interview
Miss Georgia 2009
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Cobb County pageant?
My mother had heard great things about the Miss Cobb County pageant through her friends in the area and encouraged me to enter into it since I was home from school on summer break. Little did I know it would lead me to Miss Georgia!!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Georgia?
Of course I was disappointed, but honestly, I was so excited and proud of myself. 1st runner up to Miss Georgia was such a huge accomplishment and I had really done everything I could have to perform my best, so I was almost immediately at peace with the judge’s decision.
Where and how did you find out you would be taking over the title as Miss Georgia after Kristina Higgins resigned?
I was on my way home from Columbus in my mom’s car. I was dead asleep from the exhausting week and didn’t hear my phone ring. The Miss Georgia people had to find someone in Columbus (my brother!) that knew my mom’s phone number and call her! Needless to say, when she got the phone call, she woke me up and we made a U turn back to Columbus.
Tell us about your platform, “Breast Cancer Research and Awareness in Young Women”.
Although I have been volunteering for breast cancer research and awareness for over four years, I was inspired to focus on young women after a sorority meeting where 100 girls, myself included, were asked for a show of hands of who had done their monthly self checks. Not one girl raised her hand. I sincerely believe many deaths could be avoided if breast cancer is caught early enough, so getting young women into the habit of taking responsibility for themselves and establishing a healthy lifestyle is key.
When did you start playing the oboe?
My mom started me on piano when I was four and handed me an oboe at age 12 because she had heard you could get college scholarships on the unusual instrument. Although I had to practice in the garage for two years because my parent’s couldn’t take the noise (it sounds like a duck), she was right and I went to the University of Miami on a full scholarship!
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming Miss America pageant?
I am so excited to perform and be in front of 12,000 screaming fans. I have heard that the Miss America crowd is unbelievably loud, so I think that will give me the adrenaline rush of a lifetime!
What would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Georgia?
There are many exciting events coming up, but so far having the Albany Marine Corps band play Georgia on my Mind to me was one of the coolest things ever!!
Lastly, what issues will you be focusing on as Miss Georgia?
I really look forward and am happy to have a whole year to devote to bettering Georgia. I have always enjoyed working with children and young girls, so I can’t wait for school to get started so I have the opportunity to speak with them. I will also be focusing on encouraging a dialogue among Georgia’s young women about breast cancer and breast cancer prevention. I feel that my voice as Miss Georgia can make a difference for the young women across our state.
My mother had heard great things about the Miss Cobb County pageant through her friends in the area and encouraged me to enter into it since I was home from school on summer break. Little did I know it would lead me to Miss Georgia!!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Georgia?
Of course I was disappointed, but honestly, I was so excited and proud of myself. 1st runner up to Miss Georgia was such a huge accomplishment and I had really done everything I could have to perform my best, so I was almost immediately at peace with the judge’s decision.
Where and how did you find out you would be taking over the title as Miss Georgia after Kristina Higgins resigned?
I was on my way home from Columbus in my mom’s car. I was dead asleep from the exhausting week and didn’t hear my phone ring. The Miss Georgia people had to find someone in Columbus (my brother!) that knew my mom’s phone number and call her! Needless to say, when she got the phone call, she woke me up and we made a U turn back to Columbus.
Tell us about your platform, “Breast Cancer Research and Awareness in Young Women”.
Although I have been volunteering for breast cancer research and awareness for over four years, I was inspired to focus on young women after a sorority meeting where 100 girls, myself included, were asked for a show of hands of who had done their monthly self checks. Not one girl raised her hand. I sincerely believe many deaths could be avoided if breast cancer is caught early enough, so getting young women into the habit of taking responsibility for themselves and establishing a healthy lifestyle is key.
When did you start playing the oboe?
My mom started me on piano when I was four and handed me an oboe at age 12 because she had heard you could get college scholarships on the unusual instrument. Although I had to practice in the garage for two years because my parent’s couldn’t take the noise (it sounds like a duck), she was right and I went to the University of Miami on a full scholarship!
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming Miss America pageant?
I am so excited to perform and be in front of 12,000 screaming fans. I have heard that the Miss America crowd is unbelievably loud, so I think that will give me the adrenaline rush of a lifetime!
What would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Georgia?
There are many exciting events coming up, but so far having the Albany Marine Corps band play Georgia on my Mind to me was one of the coolest things ever!!
Lastly, what issues will you be focusing on as Miss Georgia?
I really look forward and am happy to have a whole year to devote to bettering Georgia. I have always enjoyed working with children and young girls, so I can’t wait for school to get started so I have the opportunity to speak with them. I will also be focusing on encouraging a dialogue among Georgia’s young women about breast cancer and breast cancer prevention. I feel that my voice as Miss Georgia can make a difference for the young women across our state.