Pageantry to Pharmacy, Emily Cox, Miss Kentucky 2008
As many UK students are braving the cold and snow on their way to classes, one traded her snow cap for the chance at a crown as she headed to sunny Las Vegas to compete in the 2009 Miss America Pageant. Emily Cox is serving the Commonwealth as Miss Kentucky 2008.
Cox is not only a University of Kentucky alumna, but has already been accepted by the UK College of Pharmacy and plans to pursue her Pharm.D. degree when her reign is concluded. She will trade in her crown for a lab coat, putting her bachelor's degree in biology from the College of Arts and Sciences to good use as she studies to become a clinical pharmacist specializing in pediatrics.
While she has put her pharmacy education on hold for a year to fulfill her duties as Miss Kentucky, Cox is reaching out to Kentucky’s youth. As a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's "No Ifs Ands or Butts – It's the Law" program, she educates people of all ages about what can happen if minors buy tobacco products. Not only can the vendor of the products or a person obtaining tobacco products for a minor face legal penalties, but youth who try to evade tobacco laws face punishment.
The Campbellsville, Ky., native is an accomplished pianist and has chosen as her personal platform issue "Uniquely Me – Promoting Self Esteem in Adolescent Girls," self-esteem workshops for girls age 8-14 used in Kentucky public schools, church groups and Girl Scout troops. The program has already touched the lives of more than 23,000 Kentucky children. On Jan. 22, Cox was announced as the Quality of Life Award winner at the Miss America Gala, recognizing her outstanding platform work and providing her with a $6,000 scholarship.
Miss America Pageant preliminary competition began on Monday, Jan. 19, for Cox when she competed in the interview competition. Over the next few days leading up to the pageant, she competed in talent, on stage question, and swimsuit and evening wear. This was not the only preliminary competition for contestants this year. TLC (Lexington Insight channel 35) aired a reality series leading up to the pageant – Miss America: Countdown to the Crown. In the series, contestants were divided into teams and competed in various team and individual challenges with hopes of capturing a “golden sash” which earned them the opportunity to be voted into the Top 15 by America.
Cox did not earn a “golden sash,” but she didn’t need it, as she was announced part of the Top 15 at the 88th Miss America Pageant on Saturday, Jan. 24, during TLC’s live broadcast. She made it into the Top 12 and competed onstage in swimwear and evening gown.
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.
All of the Big Blue Nation is proud of our own Miss Kentucky, Emily Cox, and all of her accomplishments!
