Emoly West, Miss Oklahoma 2010, is a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance with a minor in Broadcast Journalism. She attended Oklahoma Christian University from 2004 to 2007 pursuing Broadcast Journalism and International Studies. During her years at Oklahoma Christian, Emoly was active in Student Government, holding the offices of Freshman Social Service Director, Sophomore Vice President, and Junior Treasurer. She was Chair of the Presidential Student Ambassadors, received the OC Eagle Angle Broadcast Scholarship, and the Presidential Scholarship, all three years. In the fall of 2006 Emoly was selected to study abroad throughout the Pacific Rim as an international student traveling to China, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Hawaii for 3 ½ months. Emoly’s campus involvement at UCO includes a member of the Kaleidoscope Dance Company, Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and a recepiant of a Department of Dance scholarship.
In 2004, Emoly graduated high school with honors and was selected by her peers to deliver the student speech at their Home School Class of 2004 OCHEC (Oklahoma Christian Home-School Educators Consociation) graduation before 3,000 guests. While in high school, Emoly was a member of the National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among High School Students, national award winning Oklahoma City Home School Choir, selected as a soloist in numerous dance productions, and was a state record breaking competitive swimmer.
Emoly began dancing at the age of 4. She has studied ballet and jazz at ARTS (Arts Revealing The Son) with Katha Bardel, as well as tap, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. By the age of ten, Emoly had preformed before thousands, going on tour to Florida and performing on local and national stages. She has trained with Ballet Magnificat, Ballet Oklahoma (now Oklahoma City Ballet), Ad Deum Dance Company, and she previewed with touring Russian Ballet Master Gaunnadi Malkhasiants, formerly with Bolshoi Ballet, as well as numerous artists throughout the years. At the age of 14 Emoly began teaching dance. Through the years she has influenced hundreds of children in the arts, teaching ages four to eighteen, as well as adult classes in the subjects of ballet, jazz, tap, weight lifting, modeling, and speech. One of Emoly’s favorite activities with her students is Dancing With Character, where she incorporates a specific character trait into each of the student’s dance lessons.
Ten years ago Emoly founded the Annual Winter Ball, having raised over $58,000 for Oklahoma character-based charities. Attended by more than 400 guests, this annual event provides a family-friendly, elegant atmosphere that has turned into a yearly tradition for many. Also during her early teen years Emoly discovered Character First, a program that she now champions by being a certified Character Coach, and serves as a board member of the Character Council of Edmond.
As Miss Oklahoma 2010, Emoly is excited to promote her platform, Leadership and Character Development, from elementary school students to the business community. It is her goal to help people realize how minute-by-minute choices affect their lives and impact the lives of others. Emoly believes that character goes right to the heart of what makes us better people, and that the time is now to give people the tools to either stop a problem before it happens or to address one that already exists so that we can experience the best future possible.
Emoly is the daughter of Jack & Stephanie West of Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three brothers: Ed, 38 and wife Jana; Jack III, 36 and wife Carrie; and Steve, 32. She is also the very proud aunt of three nieces: Kate, 7; Sarah, 4; and Rileigh, 3.