Two local women will be among the 40 contestants vying for the 2023 Miss Oklahoma title to be announced Saturday, June 10, at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa.

Miss Oklahoma State Fair, Emily Faith, will be competing for the second year in a row. A contender in last year’s competition as the reigning Miss Tulsa, Faith was named the first runner-up.

Miss Heartland, Macy Eminger, will be competing for the crown for a third time.

In previous years she qualified for the pageant as the reigning Miss Elk City and Miss Land of the Lakes.

A 2015 Kingfisher High School graduate, Eminger, the daughter of Mason and Courtney Eminger, currently serves as the general manager for Sonic Drive-In in Sayre.

A senior at the University of Oklahoma pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism, Faith is a 2021 graduate of Epic Charter High School and the daughter of Chad and Shelley Sanders.

Throughout the week, contestants compete in preliminary competitions including private interview, talent, on-stage conversation, health and fitness and evening gown.

For the talent portion, Faith will perform her vocal rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and Eminger will present a musical performance of “Carmen Fantasy” on the flute.

For the pageant, competitors also choose a community initiative which they support.

Promoting music therapy, Faith’s initiative is “Write Your Own Story Music and Mentorship.”

Through her initiative, Faith said she works with children and underserved communities to provide music lessons and mentorship.

“I give music lessons and mentor others in their struggles, helping them find positive coping mechanisms, such as music,” Faith said.

Eminger’s community service initiative is “Glass Ceilings - A Professional Development Tool.”

The goal is to encourage all routes of success, including college, career tech or starting your own business, Eminger said.

After much preparation, the pair expressed the following hopes and expectations as they enter the week of competition.

“I’ve worked harder this year than ever before and I truly feel ready and prepared,” Faith said.

“No matter what happens, I just want to leave a legacy I’m proud of, that will hopefully inspire other young women across the state and the nation to follow their passions and never give up on their dreams.”

For Eminger she summed it up this way: “My goal going into competition week is to truly connect with each titleholder,” she said.

“At the end of the day, it is the opinion of the judges that matters and it doesn’t mean if you’re not crowned, you’re not worthy.

“After all, there are 40 incredibly talented, intelligent, successful women competing for this one title and you gain the most from the preparation for the job and walk away knowing you have the ability to be Miss Oklahoma.”

Culminating in the final competition on Saturday evening, the top 10 contenders, plus a people’s choice winner, compete for the crown of Miss Oklahoma with the winner going on to compete for the Miss America title.