As we get closer to the Miss America pageant, we have been continuing our “Road To…,” series, with the contestants who are vying for their state title. In the coming weeks, several young women will be vying for the title of Miss Iowa 2018. The next contestant to be featured as part of ou series, The Road to Miss Iowa 2018 is Emmy Cuvelier, Miss Polk County 2018.

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What does being Miss Iowa 2018 mean to you?
Being Miss Iowa would truly mean the world to me. This title is far more than a crown and sash. Being Miss Iowa means that I have the opportunity to reach out and change the lives of others across my state and my nation. It means that I have a voice to share my story and help others create healthier, safer lifestyles through my work with my platform, Queen of Hearts. Being Miss Iowa means that I get to leave behind a legacy of positivity and change that will outlive me someday.

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Iowa system? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss Iowa?
I’ve been preparing in many ways for the Miss Iowa 2018 competition from focusing in on my physical fitness, to perfecting my talent, to working on my interview skills. However, my main focus this year has been what I can do for others. I wanted to push myself far beyond what I believed that I could achieve when it came to working with my platform and working as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. I’m proud to say that I’ve planned and executed almost 20 different charity events over the course of the year, but that certainly came with some challenges from scheduling, to finding sponsorships, to securing venues. With all those challenges came major rewards! It’s absolutely been a highlight of my year being able to advocate and raise funds for those with heart related issues and the Miracle Kids of CMN Hospitals.


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Polk County?
It’s been a very memorable year for me as Miss Polk County, making this very hard to nail down! If I had to pick just three experiences, though, they would be my Mermaids & Miracles Tour, my work advocating on behalf of the American Heart Association at the Iowa State Capitol, and my visits to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. All these experiences left me feeling extremely lucky to be in my position, where I have the platform to advocate for those who need it the most.

How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also help raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
Over the course of the year, I’ve had the pleasure of doing extensive work with both my platform, Queen of Hearts: Women’s Heart Health and CPR Education, and the MAO National Platform: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

As far as Queen of Hearts is concerned, my areas of focus this year have been the following:

• Facilitating CPR & AED training sessions to over 200 Iowans
• Visiting Iowa’s schools to share my PK-12 Heart Health Programming and published children’s books
• Serving on the Story County Go Red for Women Committee to plan and execute events in my state
• Continuing my membership with the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red
• Serving as an advocate in legislation for the American Heart Association at the Iowa State Capitol
• Creating my own fundraising and advocacy program, Hearts & Heroes

After meeting so many Miracle Kids that inspired me to do more and be more, I set big goals for myself with my work for Children’s Miracle Network. To raise funds this year, I created the Mermaids & Miracles Tour as a branch off my self-owned company, Royalty & Me Princess Entertainment. Mermaids & Miracles is an hour-long event where parents can donate $20/child to come spend an hour with The Little Mermaid! (Played by yours truly!) The event is packed with fin-flipping-fun, including mermaid games, sing-a-longs, dancing, story time, and an “Under the Sea Tea Party” with a mermaid’s favorite foods!

With this tour, as well as my CMN golf tournament, Golfing for Miracles, and social media campaigns, I have been able to raise thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

With the recent news which has been brought up in regards to the former Miss America Org. board, what do you hope the future of the MAO holds with their new Chairwoman, Gretchen Carlson?
I truly believe that the circumstances with the Miss America Organization this year were a blessing in disguise. I can’t wait to see what such powerful women, who have once been in our shoes as contestants themselves, will do to bring this program further into relevancy in the eyes of Americans and focus deeply into the purpose of Miss America: to empower women! I have the highest hopes and expectations moving forward, and I know we are in great hands.


What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
Go for it- chase your dreams!! I cannot stress enough that you never know when your time on this earth will come to a close, so go after what you want TODAY. I can assure you that your experience with the Miss America Organization will help form you into a well-rounded woman and give you new skills that will carry you through life, regardless of whether you walk away with a crown or not.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I strive to live by the quote “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” I work to be a role model for others not just because I have an important title, but because of what I do with that title to benefit other’s lives. I hope that I can inspire young women in my community to find a cause that they are passionate about and reach out a helping hand with their skills and talents.

What do you think is the biggest challenge which is facing the young generation of America today? And how can we work together to over-come it?
One of the biggest challenges we are currently facing is the divisiveness of the world, from a political and social standpoint. There is so much hatred spewed from one side to the next every single day. We can overcome this by listening to one another and working to compromise, rather than having the mentality of “Everything I do and believe is correct. End of story.”

Regardless of whoever wins the title of Miss Iowa 2018, what is one goal you have for the new title-holder, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
All that I can ask and hope for of our next Miss Iowa, whomever she may be, is that she uses her role to leave the state of Iowa a better place than it was the day she was crowned. I know that each and every amazing woman competing this year is capable of doing just that… and more!

What have you learned from your current state title-holder, Chelsea Dubczak, which you will take with you, if you were to win the title of Miss Iowa?
My biggest takeaway from Chelsea is just to stay authentic to who you are. There was not a moment that I saw her falter in her morals, values, or beliefs to please anyone else during her reign. That is certainly something to look up to, and something that I strive to take with me should I be the next Miss Iowa or not!


Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Iowa?
Wanting something is one thing… working for it is another. I believe I am a “bravura” candidate for Miss Iowa because I am not afraid to work for what I want in life, no matter how difficult it may be. That is one of the values I’ve held with me since the day I received my very first title with the organization three years ago, and it is something that I will believe in always.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
If your dream is to be the next Miss Polk County, there is nothing in the world stopping you! Dream big, set goals, work hard to achieve them, and you won’t be disappointed.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
I cannot thank everyone enough who has helped me on my journey. From my friends and family to the many generous sponsors and donors who helped me to reach my goals- I could not have done it without you. I am beyond lucky to have the most amazing support system in the world, and words can never say how grateful I am for each and every person who has been by my side. A special thanks to my amazing director, Bobbiann Rummans, for volunteering so much of her time to ensure my success in the future.

Where can people follow you on social media?
Facebook: Miss Polk County 2018- Emmy Cuvelier.
Instagram: @emmyrosecuvelier AND @misspolkcounty2018.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
Thank you all so much for the opportunity to show you just who I am and what I stand for going into the Miss Iowa 2018 competition. I hope to make everyone proud as I take the stage as 100% authentically Emmy!