Miss Kansas 2008 supports a platform that reflects her background, her experiences and her growth.

Emily Deaver, as Miss Kansas, speaks to kids, college students and adults about her life before the crown. Her background is a huge part of her message to young people across Kansas.

“This is who I am,” she said.

Deaver struggled with alcohol abuse in high school, and her troubles continued through college at Wichita State University.

She looked hard at what her friends were doing, what she was doing and where that was taking her: nowhere.

“I realized I had a lot more to offer the world of myself,” she said.

There has never been a Miss Kansas to come out with “Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention” as their platform, or with Deaver’s background.

“She chose (a platform) where she felt she could really help society,” said Priscilla Stanley, Deaver’s pageant director for Miss Augusta.

And regardless of whether it was a good idea to tell the state about her past, Deaver said she opened her “can of worms.”

“I made that decision,” she said. “And I’m not going to go back and regret it.”

Deaver said it took her a long time to deal with her alcohol abuse, but therapy and a passion for music helped her.

She is a jazz studies major at WSU and, after her year as Miss Kansas, she will finish her degree and study film scoring in California.

For her talent as Miss Kansas and in the upcoming Miss America competition Jan. 24, 2009, she will sing and play piano to the old jazz standard, “What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”

“She is a very talented young lady,” Stanley said. “It’s just great what she’s doing.”

Deaver said her talent is less about the notes and technicality, and more about the emotion coming through.

“(Jazz) gave me something to be passionate about,” she said, “gave me something to love.”

Her mother, Karen Deaver, said the music and the jazz was what her daughter needed. Very few college students choose music as their vocation.

“I knew Emily could always work,” her mother said, “but she needed to follow her dream. You go for what’s really in your heart. Do the things that bring you joy and peace and happiness.”

This Miss Kansas was never at the top of her class or on the undefeated team, and she wasn’t picked to sing all the solos.

“One big growing experience that I think so many people forget about is that you don’t have to win,” Deaver’s mother said.

“Right now, Emily is the top, but she hasn’t had a life of that.”

After Deaver lost her first Miss Augusta pageant at 17, she cried. After losing the Miss Cheney pageant the same year, her mother said she was “flat out mad.”

When she competed for Miss Augusta the second time at 19, she won by storm.

“It must have been meant to be,” her mother said.

Deaver said the judges saw that she was having fun, but knew she could handle the job.

“If it’s all about the crown, you’re missing out on the journey of it,” she said.

From her experiences, Deaver said she feels wise and appreciative of life and good friends, and she tells her story across the state, from elementary schools to detention centers.

Her message to young people and parents is to talk and be open and have healthy communication. Deaver supports a Fox Kansas campaign geared toward parents and tearing down communication barriers.

“It’s about sitting down and having dinner with your kids,” she said.

Even if Miss Kansas speaks to children and young adults only once, she said, the message will get to them.

“There will always be kids who don’t want to hear it,” she said, “but there are kids looking for help. Even if it’s just one kid, it’s totally worth it.”

One of her largest projects is her involvement with the Kansas Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, of which she is a member.

“I could have been one of those kids,” she said. “I don’t want to forget about the kids who are already in trouble.”

Deaver said she will continue to stay on the board after her year as Miss Kansas. If she is crowned Miss America, she said she will stick with the board and her platform.

Although people believe Miss America is a beauty pageant, Deaver said she sees the Miss America of today as a humanitarian, not a model.

“It’s not necessarily about the crown,” she said. “It’s about making a difference.”