The adage “More than meets the eye” may be the perfect summation for the life story of former Miss Kansas Ayanna Schumacher.
Schumacher was the featured speaker for the latest event hosted by SOS as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month Thursday evening at Flint Hills Technical College. During that time, Schumacher shared her presentation “The Story Others Read” which she says is symbolic of her personal story, and many others, who have had to deal with hardships “behind closed doors.” For Schuhmacher, this included a highly dysfunctional home life.
Schumacher says she never spoke to anyone about the dysfunction happening in her life, rather she “gave them the narrative” she was creating for herself.
Schumacher says creating your own narrative is something many individuals do when facing significant traumas and negative life experiences. When asked what is the best way to help someone through such a time, Schumacher says positive connections to others, big or small, can often have the greatest impact.
She pointed to the efforts of former teachers and authority figures throughout her own life as proof of this.
Schumacher won the 2022 Miss Kansas Crown and tells KVOE News she chose to enter the world of pageants not for the titles and tiaras, but rather for the platform and reach it provided her to connect with others who had similar life stories to her own.
Schumacher’s appearance in Emporia Thursday comes as part of a jampacked schedule of events for SOS as part of Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Previous activities have included the annual Take Back the Night event held last week at C of E Park.
The next event on SOS’ calendar will be a community group bike ride in downtown Emporia at 11 am April 27. If you or someone you know needs services through SOS contact the 24/7 Helpline at 800-825-1295 or text SOSKS to 847411.
