Emma Broyles

Biography

Emma Leigh Broyles (born July 25, 2001) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Alaska 2021 and Miss America 2022 on December 16, 2021, its 100th anniversary. She was the first Miss Alaska to be crowned Miss America, and the first titleholder from outside of the contiguous United States since Angela Perez Baraquio of Hawaii in 2001. During the Miss America competition, Broyles highlighted her vulnerability and openness on social media about having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dermatillomania (the repeated urge or impulse to pick at one's own skin), as well as her history with volunteering for the Special Olympics. Before the competition, she planned to become a physician assistant due to financial concerns over the cost of medical school, though she stated her circumstances changed due to winning the competition's scholarships. She was awarded a record $100,000 in scholarships and succeeded Camille Schrier.

== Early life and education == Broyles was born in Anchorage, Alaska to Julie and Ronald Broyles. She has an older brother Brendan and a younger brother Benjamin. Her maternal grandparents immigrated from South Korea to Alaska. On January 25, 2022, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy invited Broyles as an honored guest to Juneau, Alaska for the 2022 State of the State address. Broyles was honored for becoming the first Alaskan to win the title of Miss America in the 100-year history of the competition. On April 7, 2022, Alaska U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan introduced Senate Resolution 584, "Congratulating Miss Emma Broyles of Alaska for being crowned Miss America 2022." Broyles graduated from Anchorage's Service High School in 2019, where she was co-president the Special Olympics-sponsored Partners Club due to her personal connection with her older brother with Down syndrome. In 2024, Broyles graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences.She plans to attend medical school and become a dermatologist.

== Pageantry ==

=== Miss Anchorage's Outstanding Teen 2017 === In January 2017, Broyles won the title of Miss Anchorage's Outstanding Teen 2017 at the Miss Anchorage 2017 pageant at the age of 15.

=== Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teen 2017 === In June 2017, Broyles won the title of Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teen 2017 at the Miss Alaska 2017 pageant at the age of 15.

=== Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018 === Broyles competed for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018 in July 2017 at the age of 16. She did not advance to the finals or win any preliminary or non-finalist awards.

=== Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska 2019 === Broyles won the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska 2019 at the Distinguished Young Woman competition in November 2018 at the age of 17.

=== Miss Alaska 2021 === Broyles was crowned Miss Alaska 2021 on June 17, 2021, winning on her first attempt at the age of 19. She did not hold a local title, but was able to compete as an at-large candidate since Alaska doesn't require candidates to hold a local title to compete at the state level. Broyles won the Talent Phase and People's Choice awards.