At 13, Emma Fossum was already a competitive figure skater and musician when she enrolled at the University of Texas High School (UTHS). She was seeking flexibility that traditional schools couldn't provide for her busy schedule.

After being homeschooled since fourth grade, UTHS's virtual environment proved transformative. Her favorite course, AP Government, strengthened her public speaking and critical thinking skills. Like many other UTHS students before her, Emma built meaningful relationships with teachers, counselors and principal Dr. Darnell Horton. Emma explains, ““UTHS may be virtual, but the relationships I’ve built there have been very real and meaningful.”

Competing in the Miss America’s Texas’ Teen pageant gave Emma confidence to advocate for causes she cares about, especially creative self-expression and arts access. Emma's real impact comes through Miles for Music, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering creative expression through music and storytelling.

Inspired by her sister Ellie, who was nonverbal until age five, Emma learned that expression isn't limited to words. "Sometimes a melody can say more than a sentence ever could," she explains. Over the past year, she's partnered with local philanthropists to donate 13 digital pianos to underserved schools and has reached over 13,700 students across Texas through 200+ presentations.

As Emma prepares for the Miss America’s Teen pageant on September 7, she's also planning her next chapter: attending UNC Chapel Hill in fall 2026 for Business on a pre-dental track, with dreams of becoming an oral surgeon. Wherever Emma goes next, she'll continue to strike the right note between ambition and service, taking advantage of all the opportunities to come her way.