BW broadcasting major crowned Miss Greater Cleveland, ready to compete for Miss Ohio

With a social impact platform that is personal, Emma Rose Lewis '19 earned a $500 scholarship, the title of Miss Greater Cleveland and the chance to compete for the Miss Ohio crown in June.

The local and state pageants feed into the recently revamped Miss America competition.

Put it to BED

In 2018, Miss America replaced the swimsuit competition with a segment that asks candidates to speak about a social impact initiative close to their hearts. Lewis, a BW senior broadcasting and mass communications major with a public relations minor, told the Miss Greater Cleveland judges that her choice of platforms was personal.

"My social impact initiative is 'Put It to BED: End Binge Eating Disorder & More' because I suffer from binge eating disorder (BED), depression and anxiety," Lewis says. "This specific eating disorder affects almost three and a half times the people who suffer from anorexia and bulimia combined, yet awareness is slim."

"My goal with my platform is to raise awareness about BED and other mental illnesses so people can feel empowered to seek out the treatment and help they deserve."

Global Perspective

Lewis, who sang "Habanera" from Georges Bizet's "Carmen" for her talent presentation, also told the judges about her early life when she moved from Saudi Arabia to the United States.

"This part of my life has helped to shape my perspective, compassion and drive for human rights," she explains.

Focused on Social Change

Lewis also highlighted her experience as a summer social media intern with New York jewelry company LeFrak Productions: Same Sky.

The organization works "to create employment opportunities for women struggling to lift themselves out of extreme poverty" with trade collectives based in Rwanda and the United States.

Working with the organization solidified Lewis' goal to work in the broadcasting industry and enact social change.

Lewis credits the BW broadcasting program for pushing her out of her comfort zone and helping her make amazing connections.

Big Dreams

With the scholarship money awarded to her from the Miss Greater Cleveland competition, Lewis plans on applying to graduate schools to pursue a master's degree in journalism.

One day, she hopes to work alongside her idol and Good Morning America host, Robin Roberts, as a writer and segment producer.

She'll have a chance to compete for more scholarship money (and another crown) at the Miss Ohio competition in Mansfield in mid-June.