Former Miss Upper Iowa starts local Miss America Organization

MT. PLEASANT — Former Upper Miss Iowa, Emily Folker, excitedly fulfills her dream to open a local competition for Miss America in Mt. Pleasant.

With this new scholarship program opportunity, young women from the Mt. Pleasant area will have the opportunity to represent the town at the Miss Iowa and the Miss America programs.

“I was Miss Upper Iowa until I gave up my title just a couple of days ago,” Folker said, Wednesday.

So, as she says goodbye to her position as a representative for Upper Iowa, she looks forward to this new opportunity.

“I had been talking with the Miss Iowa board since last year, because I actually got an extra year because Miss America expectantly changed the age,” Folker said. “I’ve been really excited to get started on this and I have lots of idea that I get to do now.”

Folker embarks on this journey with a board of directors.

Her co-directors are her partner, Trey Cooper, and mother, Erin Folker.

Cooper will utilize his company, Cooper Designs, to provide graphics for the organization and Erin Folker will provide sound and lighting services through her and her husband’s business, Portable Playlist DJ and Karaoke.

Other board members include Kaylee Mason, an experienced Miss America competitor, and Jim Folker, Emily Folker’s dad.

Evan Folker also will volunteer to assist the organization in its inaugural year.

“It has been awesome to see how quickly the community of Mt. Pleasant was supportive of us,” Folker said. “People reached out as soon as we announced with support and excitement.”

The Miss Mt. Pleasant organization has already received a number of donations and sponsorships from local businesses, but continue to look for further support.

Ironically, Say Uncle Photography, which has frequently covered photography for Mixed Martial Arts, will sponsor candidate head shots for the state competition.

“Everything goes back into providing scholarships to women,”

“We are hoping to give out a Miss Mt. Pleasant and Miss Mt. Pleasant Outstanding Teen title,” Emily Folker said.

Hitting the ground running, Emily Folker and the board have their first Scholarship Program planned for Jan. 28 and are currently taking registration from interested candidates.

According to Emily Folker, all candidate paperwork is due January 14.

The organization has already sent paperwork to some interested candidates.

Interested parties can reach out to the organization via email: missmtporg@gmail.com or through their website www.missmountpleasantiowa.com

Before the first program, the organization will hold a free “walking clinic,” with former Miss Iowa 2018 for anyone interested in learning how to walk a runway.

“You’d never think you’d have to relearn how to walk,” Emily Folker said.

The clinic is set for Dec. 28, though the location still is TBD. Additional information will be made available on the organizations social media pages @missmountpleasantorg

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com