By Justine McGuire
MLive.com, Walker, Mich.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) One Miss America hopeful stepped up to the mic and said, “From the state with 84 percent of the U.S. fresh water, but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan Emily Sioma,”
MLive.com, Walker, Mich.
While Miss Michigan Emily Sioma didn’t make the top 15 at Miss America 2019 on Sunday, Sept. 9, she did have an opportunity to introduce herself during the Parade of States.
Sioma appeared on national television for less than 10 seconds. She made it count.
Sioma used her moment to shine a light on the ongoing and expanding water crisis in Michigan, which was in stark contrast to other contestants’ intros that focused on their education.
“From the state with 84 percent of the U.S. fresh water, but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan Emily Sioma,” she said.
Following the other candidates form, Sioma might have said that she’s a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in women’s studies.
Her statement was noticed, and immediately began circulating on Twitter.
Sioma’s 10-second statement live on ABC was the culmination of more than a week of competition for the Miss America title in Atlantic City.
She is among the first class of candidates to compete in the revamped pageant, which is being called Miss America 2.0.
The new competition ditched the swimsuit portion in favor of a format that focuses more on who the contestants are and what they would do as Miss America.
The Results:
Miss America 2019: Miss New York Nia Franklin
First runner up: Miss Connecticut Bridget Oei
Second runner up: Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway
Third runner up: Miss Florida Taylor Tyson
Fourth runner up: Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras
