EMU student crowned Miss Michigan

Ashlee Baracy, 23, won the 2008 Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant Saturday in Muskegon.

Baracy has been pursuing a master's degree in integrated marketing communications here at Eastern, telecommuting from her parents' home in Westland.

Life was not always crowns and roses for Baracy, though. She went through the trial of her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer and herself experienced a serious car wreck in her teenage years.

Since then, she has graduated valedictorian from her high school class and won several titles including Michigan's Junior Miss 2003 and Miss Washtenaw County two years ago.

Baracy said breast cancer awareness would be her major platform during her reign as Miss Michigan.

"I look forward to serving the state for the year," she said.

She has created a Web site, bcdaughters.com, offering information and a community for daughters of mothers with breast cancer.

Baracy said the competition was tough this year, and expressed gratitude for being able to spend time with a group of fun and intelligent girls.

"It could have gone to any of the girls," she said. "It was definitely a surprise."

Arrangements are currently being made for Baracy to live with a Muskegon family for the following year.

This will serve as home base as she travels around the state making appearances as Miss Michigan and prepares for the 2009 Miss America Pageant January in Las Vegas.

"The biggest thing coming up is the Miss America Pageant in January," she said.

First place earned Baracy a $11,000 scholarship award along with other prizes and the distinction and duties that come with the title.

Representing Wayne County, this was her third trip to the Miss Michigan pageant. She was the second runner-up in 2007.