The Miss Amazing Amplified event was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 6, 2023, on the campus of Augustana University. Miss Amazing is a national self-esteem movement for girls and women with disabilities. Participants in the event included Emily Groeneveld 17, currently a Lennox High School Junior. Emily and her parents, Tracy and Darla Groeneveld, reside in Lennox.
During the day-long event each individual introduced herself to fellow participants, and explained her life-long goals and dreams. Emily’s goals and dreams include learning to drive a car, attending college at Augie, and having her own apartment. Numerous judges were on hand to interview the participants and list to the talents that they had prepared for the evening gala. Dressed in evening gowns, each girl was escorted on stage where she performed for an audience and the judges. Emily performed “The Cup Song” from Pitch Perfect. The highlight of the day was Emily’s being crowned “Queen 2023 South Dakota Miss Amazing Teen.”
Some of Emily’s interests and accomplishments include participation in all Special Olympics Sports, in which she has earned many medals and ribbons, and has made many friends. In the summer of 2022 She performed in the musical “Annie Jr” and this summer she is rehearsing for “Seussical Jr”, which she will be performed at the Premier Playhouse in Sioux Falls in August. For the past several years Emily has participated in the “I-Lead 4H program” at the Turner County Fair, showing sheep and goats. She also enjoys reading books and is often found reading to Ms. Hinker’s kindergarten class during the school year.
Emily states that she is very excited and proud to represent South Dakota at the National Miss Amazing Summit. The national event will be held July 28th-30th in Chicago, Illinois. It takes roughly $4,000 to cover travel and lodging expenses for a Miss Amazing Queen and one guest. Cost can be higher for larger families. With your help Emily can go to Chicago and help open doors of opportunity for girls and women with disabilities while advocating for herself.
You can contribute securely online at http://saq2023.funraise.org . You may also send a check made out to Miss Amazing Inc. to 1109 Parc Dr. Papillion, NE 68046. Please specify Queen Emily Groeneveld in the check memo. The family thanks you in advance for supporting Emily.
Emily will be featured at the Old Fashioned Fourth of July parade in Lennox on Tuesday, July 4th.
Miss Amazing started with a dream of then thirteen-year-old Jordan Somer, who was inspired to build something amazing for the athletes she met at Special Olympics events. The Power of Self-Esteem, Miss Amazing does the following:
Empowers Personal Development
Nurtures Friendship and Community
Shifts perceptions
Drives Systemic Change
Ensuring equal opportunities for girls with disabilities to build self-esteem will require engaging with every level of society to dismantle stereotypes and to open up pathways for personal growth.
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