Women from all over the Sunflower State gather in Pratt, Kan. in an attempt to take home the title of Miss Kansas each year. This year, Free State math teacher Stephanie Harris took on the role of executive director and board president of the Miss Kansas organization and will finalize the pageant win for Kansas native Emily Rugg.

Harris said that the women in the pageant industry have much to gain from participating, including life skills, scholarships and lifelong bonds.

“Our current Miss Kansas has earned close to $20,000 in scholarships,” Harris said. “They also learn how to conduct themselves in an interview and in a professional setting.”

Harris said that there are many aspects that occur behind the stage that also contribute to the overall success of a pageant.

“People don’t realize that every single little bit is volunteer,” Harris said. “There are people across the state that work day-to-day to support the organization.”

Miss Kansas 2025 pageant winner Emily Rugg also said there are more benefits to volunteering that go unnoticed on the stage.

“Women dedicate hours preparing and serving their communities,” Rugg said. “It’s also the best way to make friends.”

Rugg said that it is because of the pageant industry that she is in the career that she is in today. She said she has learned a lot of skills that will positively influence her life in more ways than one.

Because the young women Harris works with in the Miss Kansas Organization are the same age as many of her students, Harris said the pageant world and classroom setting are very similar.

“They have different talents and traits that they bring to the table, and that’s very similar to a classroom,” Harris said.

Senior Evan Landis said that Harris’ Experience in the pageant industry can align with some of her teaching methods.

“She is very aware of how to teach people in a way that makes a lot of sense for us,” Landis said. “Those go hand and hand with helping people be organized.”