Pictured: Emily and Catherine Foy at the 2021 state event.

By Jill Fennema –

Emily (De Groot) Dilly works for South Dakota Miss Amazing.  Miss Amazing is  an organization that advocates for girls and women with disabilities. They strive to help girls with disabilities develop self advocacy skills, self confidence, and lasting friendships.

“Our goal is to show the world what these girls can do,” Emily said.

Emily started out volunteering on the Miss Amazing committee in 2018. She began as director of public relations/marketing, and later became the director of volunteers. She is now in her second year of being the assistant director.

Emily is a daughter of Loren and Shelli DeGroot. Her brother Conner has Down Syndrome and autism.

“I have always had a huge place in my heart for helping individuals who have disabilities,” Emily said. “Conner is the reason that I am a special educator.”

When she was in college for special education, one of her professors recommended her when the Miss Amazing Committee was looking for new members, and Emily knew right away that Miss Amazing was something she wanted to be a part of.

On April 2 and 3, South Dakota Miss Amazing will host it’s annual event at Augustana University. They have around 40 to 50 participants in the event. The younger girls compete on Saturday and the older girls and women compete on Sunday.

The entire day is filled with fun and activities that help the girls get to know one another.  The girls all get a volunteer “buddy” for the day. This person helps them navigate the venue and all the activities for the day.

Each participant has an interview with judges and a passion presentation that they give. There is time to practice that presentation privately and on the stage before they give it before the audience. They also go through “Hair and makeup” in preparation for their big moment in the lime light.

A passion presentation is a lot like a talent show – each participant has the opportunity to show what they are passionate about. Some choose to sing or dance, some read poetry. Emily said that last year they had one contestant bring in a wooden horse and demonstrate how to saddle a horse.

Throughout the day, the girls have downtime in-between activities where they can hangout, play games, and do crafts. There is also a photo booth where they can capture memories with friends old and new.

At the end of the final show, one girl in each division is crowned the winner and is able to participate in a national event this summer.

Conner De Groot and Emily Dilly

Emily and Kendra Harnisch at a queen send off party.

Kristen Barnhardt (2020 SD Miss Amazing Miss Queen) and Emily after Kristen was crowned the national runner-up.