Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University graduate Hannah Palmer has been named Miss Michigan 2025. Palmer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from EMU, is known for her advocacy work in youth mental health. She will represent Michigan at the upcoming Miss America competition in September.

Palmer uses her role to support early mental health awareness among children through The Sunflower Project, a nonprofit she founded in 2021. The organization has provided $6,000 worth of social and emotional learning resources to students and families across the state. It also collaborates with schools and participates in national efforts such as MTV’s Mental Health Action Day to address mental health issues.

Palmer has personal experience with the subject. “I lost a close childhood friend to suicide in 2018,” said Palmer. “We had similar struggles, but we never talked about them. That loss inspired me to encourage kids to have those conversations earlier and to understand that it's okay to ask for help.”

She added that her goal is to bring hope into discussions about anxiety and suicide prevention: “When people think about anxiety or suicide prevention, they often associate those topics with darkness,” said Palmer. “I wanted to bring light, a more positive, hopeful energy to these conversations, starting with young people.”

Palmer first became involved in pageantry when she was crowned Miss Washtenaw County at age 19. Reflecting on her journey since then, she noted the importance of vulnerability and seeking advice: “That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned: people want to help,” she said. “You just have to ask. There’s strength in reaching out and being open to feedback.”

Currently a fourth-year elementary teacher, Palmer plans further study at Eastern Michigan University by pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She credits EMU for helping launch her advocacy work: “With its reputation for excellence in teacher preparation, EMU was the perfect fit,” she said. “From day one, I gained real-world experience and the confidence to launch The Sunflower Project. EMU gave me the tools to turn a dream into a reality.”

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is among Michigan's oldest public universities and enrolls nearly 13,000 students across various programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees.