On March 5-6, Miss Mint Hill USA Emma Knapp ’17 of Mint Hill, N.C., will take the stage for her first pageant ever at the Miss North Carolina USA 2021 competition.

Knapp studied studio art at Birmingham-Southern, and she is the owner of The Iron Angel, her handmade jewelry line that can be found in 56 stores nationwide. She shared a little bit about why she decided to join the Miss Universe Organization this year.

What’s something that drew you to the competition?

Being confident in who you are and what you have to offer and being able to portray that on stage is the most important thing about the competition. I knew very little about pageants, and the more I got involved, I realized the great opportunity for personal growth. My misconception was that this was a beauty pageant. I’ve learned that this is a celebration of intelligent, talented, and articulate women. After a few months of research and preparation, I have already noticed the positive influence on the way I carry myself, communicate with others, and visualize my future.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to that sense of accomplishment after I walk off stage. No matter what happens, I’ll be walking away with my head held high knowing that I did it – I tried something totally new and worked my tail off to make it happen. I’ll know I brought everything I could on that stage.

How has BSC impacted where you are now?

As a Birmingham-Southern student, I was constantly challenged to think outside the box and look at the world in a different way than it appears at the surface. The teaching style helped me figure out who I am and find my voice and the confidence to go after every opportunity full force. That’s the mentality I’ve maintained in day-to-day life and especially through my journey of running for Miss North Carolina USA.