Sarah Kasubke has been around the Miss Missouri Scholarship Competition all her life. In fact, she was born as Miss Missouri events were taking place. Now a junior Elementary Education major at William Woods University, the Mexico resident -- born and raised -- has been in the Little Sisters program, competed for Outstanding Teen and now takes the Miss Missouri stage for the second time. She uses her platform as Miss West St. Louis to advocate for a strong foundation in reading for young people through Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader, a program she created.

1. What has waiting out the pandemic been like?

It’s been crazy. This year there were so many unknowns. We are all super excited it’s finally here.

2. Do you have a home field advantage?

I definitely get a lot of support from the community. This is my sixth year competing, four with Outstanding Teen, two with Miss Missouri. When I’m on stage nothing can go wrong because my family and community are all there.

3. So this has been a big part of your life?

It has. At the age of four I told a family friend that I wanted to be Miss Missouri. I’ve been chasing the dream my whole life.

4. How do you think it would feel to win?

I don’t even think I’d be able to describe it. Previous Miss Missouris say they don’t even remember the moment they were crowned.

5. We see the stage. You see the entire process. What is that like?

You’re crowned and you immediately start to prepare. You do your paperwork, work with coaches on your talent, you do mock interviews. It’s making sure you are the best version of yourself.

6. What is your talent?

I am going to be singing “One Night Only” from Dream Girls.

7. Did you do theater growing up?

I did performances at Presser Arts Center and I danced at Janet’s Dance Studio and became a dance teacher. And I’m captain of the dance team at William Woods.

8. So why isn’t dance your talent?

I actually dislocated my knee in high school. It was a whole fiasco, but I still wanted to compete and I was in choir. It was a rough time, but I overcame it. I now think singing is my better talent.

9. What is it like to be a part of such an intelligent and talented field?

It’s amazing. Each of us have the same drive to really make a difference. It’s a competition, but we’re not competing against each other. Women empowering women is what the event is about. That’s my favorite part — the friendships that I make.

10. When this week is over ...?

I’m excited to go on vacation. Two weeks and if I’m not Miss Missouri I’ll start preparing for next year.