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The next contestant to be featured in our series, “The Road to Miss America,” is Miss Missouri, Erin Rachel O’Flaherty.

Age: 23

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Platform Issue: Suicide Prevention

Talent: Broadway Vocal: “The Mad Hatter”

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida

Scholastic Ambition: Earn a Master of Business Administration; Successfully grow and co-operate Rachel’s Grove, LLC

Scholastic Honors: Began full-time college career at the age of 16 after earning high-school diploma in three years; Recipient of Knights’ Academic Achievement Scholarship in the amount of $30,000; Dean’s List; Recipient of Youth Development Scholarship for Service Learning

Personal connection to my platform: When I was 13, I lost a close friend to suicide. As I navigated the grieving process, I began to recognize the warning signs and risk factors that had been there, and I wondered if I could have prevented my friend’s death if I’d had the appropriate resources. Eventually, I realized that so few people speak out about their experiences with suicide due to feelings of shame or guilt, and I resolved to be a proponent of suicide prevention to encourage these conversations that are so important to progress moving forward.

If I am crowned Miss America: I will use the Miss America title to serve others who could benefit from its influence. As Miss America, I will showcase the diversity of our organization, forge new relationships to garner additional sponsors, and continue promote my platform of suicide prevention on the national level. I hope to represent my country in a way that my legacy reflects acceptance and passion.

Erin O’Flaherty is the reigning Miss Missouri 2016. As a long-time advocate for suicide prevention, she proudly promotes The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading crisis intervention and suicide prevention resource for LGBT youth. As a member of the LGBT community herself, she is proud to merge her passion for suicide prevention with her efforts to increase visibility for the LGBT community. Erin attributes her personal success exclusively to her involvement in the Miss America Organization, and through her participation has earned nearly $25,000 in scholarships.