Emily Deaver
Miss Kansas 2008
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Augusta pageant?
A couple of the women in my community knew that I was a singer/pianist, so they continued to ask me if I would compete. Usually I blame it on the scholarship money, but really I just did it on a whim.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Kansas?
I was absolutely terrified. I knew that there was a lot of work ahead of me and that it was going to be a difficult year. There was a lot going on at that time in my life. I was still in the recovery process from my addictions and had not completely forgiven myself for mistakes made. Nonetheless, it was the beginning of an incredible journey, and I knew that!
You participated in the reality show, “Miss America: Reality Check”, what would be your most memorable moment there?
Eating pizza and cinnamon sticks with the purple team on the night that the Queen Mary opened for Halloween is by far my favorite memory of the reality show. Ironically, we were not being filmed during that…if that tells you anything. We had the window to our room open so that we could hear the rock show outside.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
Walking up to the piano to perform my talent was the most memorable moment I have from Miss America. I felt completely at home on stage—like it was exactly where I was supposed to be! I love music and I love performing, and now I have my sites set on making performing into my career.
Tell us about your platform “Crossroads of Abuse and Addiction: The Road Less Traveled”
As a senior in high school I began abusing alcohol on a very serious level. From there it escalated into my freshman year of college with different substances, destroying many of my closest relationships and my own ambitions. I knew something needed to change and went into therapy. I knew I had a story that needed to be told. It has been tough, talking about the painful past, but I know that I have touched lives. Not only do I share my story, but it is important for everyone to know that there are many others that have not made it away from addiction.
How would a typical day as Miss Kansas go?
Well, I must first say that every day is different, but I will just pick one out. Wake up, run(I’m training for a half marathon after Miss KS), check and return phone calls and emails, school appearance to talk about platform, practice piano and sing then end the day with a sponsor/fundraising party I put on to raise funds for our scholarship foundation.
What would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Kansas?
My most memorable moment as Miss Kansas was during our orientation for the Miss Kansas 2009 Contestants. It was during that weekend that I realized that I was not only touching the lives of people across Kansas but I was even touching lives within the organization. When you can reach the people closest to you, you have succeeded. I will never forget the power of one!
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss Kansas?
Absolutely. This was not an easy year by any means. Talking about my own tragedies gets incredibly difficult, but I continue to tell my self that it is not about me. It is about the one person in the audience that may need to hear what I have to say. I have received numerous emails, phone calls and even facebook messages from both adults and youth that have had life changing experiences due to a presentation I gave. I do think, though, that the largest success I have had as Miss Kansas is in making Miss Kansas someone that is relatable, someone that people want to get to know. I offer nothing but myself and people connect to that. Being relatable is important in every aspect of being Miss Kansas.
A couple of the women in my community knew that I was a singer/pianist, so they continued to ask me if I would compete. Usually I blame it on the scholarship money, but really I just did it on a whim.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Kansas?
I was absolutely terrified. I knew that there was a lot of work ahead of me and that it was going to be a difficult year. There was a lot going on at that time in my life. I was still in the recovery process from my addictions and had not completely forgiven myself for mistakes made. Nonetheless, it was the beginning of an incredible journey, and I knew that!
You participated in the reality show, “Miss America: Reality Check”, what would be your most memorable moment there?
Eating pizza and cinnamon sticks with the purple team on the night that the Queen Mary opened for Halloween is by far my favorite memory of the reality show. Ironically, we were not being filmed during that…if that tells you anything. We had the window to our room open so that we could hear the rock show outside.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
Walking up to the piano to perform my talent was the most memorable moment I have from Miss America. I felt completely at home on stage—like it was exactly where I was supposed to be! I love music and I love performing, and now I have my sites set on making performing into my career.
Tell us about your platform “Crossroads of Abuse and Addiction: The Road Less Traveled”
As a senior in high school I began abusing alcohol on a very serious level. From there it escalated into my freshman year of college with different substances, destroying many of my closest relationships and my own ambitions. I knew something needed to change and went into therapy. I knew I had a story that needed to be told. It has been tough, talking about the painful past, but I know that I have touched lives. Not only do I share my story, but it is important for everyone to know that there are many others that have not made it away from addiction.
How would a typical day as Miss Kansas go?
Well, I must first say that every day is different, but I will just pick one out. Wake up, run(I’m training for a half marathon after Miss KS), check and return phone calls and emails, school appearance to talk about platform, practice piano and sing then end the day with a sponsor/fundraising party I put on to raise funds for our scholarship foundation.
What would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Kansas?
My most memorable moment as Miss Kansas was during our orientation for the Miss Kansas 2009 Contestants. It was during that weekend that I realized that I was not only touching the lives of people across Kansas but I was even touching lives within the organization. When you can reach the people closest to you, you have succeeded. I will never forget the power of one!
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss Kansas?
Absolutely. This was not an easy year by any means. Talking about my own tragedies gets incredibly difficult, but I continue to tell my self that it is not about me. It is about the one person in the audience that may need to hear what I have to say. I have received numerous emails, phone calls and even facebook messages from both adults and youth that have had life changing experiences due to a presentation I gave. I do think, though, that the largest success I have had as Miss Kansas is in making Miss Kansas someone that is relatable, someone that people want to get to know. I offer nothing but myself and people connect to that. Being relatable is important in every aspect of being Miss Kansas.