Jonesburg native Emily Laskowski will compete in the Miss Missouri Pageant that will kick off on June 9 with rehearsals, talent performances, interviews and evening gowns at Missouri Military Academy.

Laskowski will be among many competitors from across the state that will participate in the Miss Missouri Pageant as well as their pageant directors and families.

The daughter of Heather and Richard Corder of Jonesburg, Laskowski clinched a berth to the Miss Missouri Pageant by winning the Miss Heart of Southern Missouri Pageant, which was held in October at the Melba Performing Arts Center in Houston, a small town in Texas County located 90 miles east of Springfield. She also won the top interview award.

Last year, Laskowski was one of 21 participants who competed in the state pageant and was one of the first 10 contestants eliminated in the finals.

Laskowski is currently studying for a Master’s degree in school counseling at Truman State University.

As part of the Alpha competition group, Laskowski will have her personal interview with the judges on Wednesday morning, followed by her on-stage question and evening gown on Wednesday evening. During Thursday’s preliminary competition, she will compete in fitness as well as perform her talent, a clarinet solo for the judges and audience.

Since being crowned Miss Heart of Southern Missouri, Emily has participated in a wide range of activities throughout her community. She has focused many efforts on educating those living in poverty about resources available to them through her social impact initiative, “Grow From the Ground Up: Providing Resources and Empowerment to Those Living in Poverty.”

Pageant week will begin June 9 when the Miss Missouri candidates move onto the Missouri Military Academy’s campus. A few hours after moving in, they will not only participate in rehearsals, but they will also test their skill sets on the golf course during the Miss Missouri Golf Classic at The Oaks in Mexico. Throughout the week, the Miss Missouri delegates 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 Wednesday, June 12 and will continue through Friday, June 14. The organization will crown the new Miss Missouri Saturday night, June 15, as it says goodbye to reigning Miss Missouri Hayley Leach. After being crowned, the new Miss Missouri will begin a hectic schedule of preparations for the Miss America stage and competition, which is 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.