Moments after the Miss Missouri Pageant came to an end on July 17 at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Emily Laskowski shed tears of joy.

Even though the Jonesburg native didn’t walk out of Audrain County with a crown on her head, she was thrilled that she was one of 21 women across the state who participated in the Miss Missouri Pageant.

“I’m so proud of myself,” Laskowski said. “After 21 times, I can finally say that I competed on the Miss Missouri stage.”

Laskowski was one of the first 10 contestants eliminated in the finals, which was held at the MMA gymnasium. Haley Leach of Southern Missouri won the Miss Missouri crown.

“Seeing Southern Missouri win was amazing,” Laskowski said. “She’s such a sweet girl. Her monologue was beautiful. I’m so happy and so proud of her.”

After the first 10 contestants were knocked out, the remaining contestants qualified for the semifinal competition. Then, the field was narrowed down to five before awards were given out for first runner-up, second runner-up and the Miss Missouri winner.

Laskowski, who was the only Montgomery County candidate in the pageant, said she was disappointed that she didn’t make it to the semifinal round.

“I was a little bit sad, but I know I didn’t perform my 100 percent best this week,” Laskowski said. “I know next year, I’m going to come back and I’m going to perform my 100 percent and I’m going to be in that top 11.”

Laskowski had plenty of family members who supported her during the pageant, including her mother and her grandmother.

“They drove from all over the state just to come to Mexico, Missouri and watch me compete,” Laskowski said.

Laskowski had a very busy schedule during the week of the pageant. She had personal interviews with judges, performed her clarinet solo during preliminaries, had an on-stage conversation with the judges and participated in an evening gown competition.

“We did a lot of rehearsals with opening numbers,” said Laskowski, who represented Miss Northwest Counties. “I’m not a very good dancer, so that was pretty fun. I got to perform my talent, which was The Entertainer on the clarinet. I walked out with my beautiful blue and green evening gown. I spent so much time going to luncheons and hanging out with my best friends.”

Laskowski, a 2017 Montgomery County graduate, is currently working on a Master’s degree in counseling at Truman State University. She was awarded a $500 scholarship during the pageant.

“I’ve gotten over $1,000 worth of scholarships this year alone,” Laskowski said. “That helps out so much with my master’s degree.”

Laskowski said she received encouragement from Alice Leonatti, who is the executive director of the Miss Missouri Pageant.

“She always came out and pushed me. She told me the story about her daughter and how she competed so many times before she got to this stage,” said Laskowski, who won the Old Settlers Queen title in 2017. “Knowing that I have their love and support means the world to me.”