1st runner-up Miss Arizona USA 2015, Top 10 Miss Nevada USA 2014
A native of Las Vegas, Emelina “Emmy” Adams was crowned Miss Nevada USA on 22 November 2015 and represented Nevada as the home state delegate at the Miss USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas. Emmy is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While in Arizona she placed first runner-up to Maureen Montagne at Miss Arizona USA 2015.
Emelina Adams, 24, was born in Las Vegas and raised in Henderson, Nevada, where she currently resides. Even as a little girl, she had a love of traveling and has visited more than 13 countries. In high school, Emmy (as her friends call her) was part of the National Honor Society and achieved the Academic Excellence Scholarship. She later graduated from the University of Arizona, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Pre-Law Minor. While studying at the University of Arizona, Emelina became a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, which she believes empowered her and other women in her school. One of her favorite memories from college was having the opportunity to study abroad in Italy for 5 months, a trip she says fueled her love of baking, cooking, yoga, and trying new foods — and where she was able to hone her Italian, which she now speaks fluently. As Miss Nevada USA, Emelina is currently speaking at schools to spread awareness on the issues of substance abuse and how young people can effectively deal with addiction in their families. She hopes to show others, through her own experience, that with independence and strength, you can achieve anything. In her free time, Emelina enjoys acting and modeling, and she has appeared in campaigns for Jovani and walked in fashion week for numerous designers. She plans to return to school to obtain her Ph.D. in Psychology with the ultimate goal of becoming a child psychologist.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Emelina’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Emelina’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Emelina’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Lauren York as Miss Nevada USA 2017.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Emelina’s “after the crown” photos.