Emma Broyles makes history as the first Korean-American and Miss Alaska to win Miss America.
Broyles was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. The winner’s mother is entirely of Korean descent, as her grandparents left Korea 50 years ago. As the 2022 champion, she will receive $ 100,000 in the stock market and a six-figure salary to help her in her duties as Miss America.
A common misconception about the contest is that it emphasizes appearance and unrealistic beauty standards. While it was at the time, Miss America underwent waves of feminism to encompass leadership, communication skills, and talent. Each year, the winner chooses a social impact initiative for the year, and her appearances and functions will revolve around that initiative. Broyles chose the Special Olympics for his brother Brendan, who has Down syndrome and participates in sporting events. Her mother is also a teacher at her alma mater Service High School, specializing in special education.
The Miss America winner hopes to promote inclusion in a tumultuous political climate where opinions are divided. “To have this platform to explain why inclusion is important at a time like this where our country is so divided”, she declared. “And to talk about why it’s important to be compassionate, why it’s important to be empathetic, why it’s important to keep an open mind and be ready to listen to those who are not like you or who have maybe different opinions from you, I think this is a time when we need it more than ever. “
Broyles added that she has witnessed the impact Special Olympics can have on families of people with intellectual disabilities and hopes to take it forward by serving as a role model for young women. The Alaska native is currently a biomedical science and vocal performance student at Arizona State University, with hopes of working as a dermatologist soon after enrolling in medical school.
Broyles also expressed her pride and honor as the first Korean American to win the title.
At the news, Korean netizens left congratulatory comments such as:
- “I know outer beauty is important to Miss America, but reading this I am so proud of her inner beauty. She’s so cool. “
- “I am so proud! “
- ” She is so pretty. I can tell immediately that she is Korean. So proud! “
- “Let’s go to Miss Universe 2022 ~”
- “In fact, I’m so grateful for how she called herself a ‘Korean’ American and is proud of her ethnic roots.”
- “She’s also so smart and good at talking”
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