In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns is joined by a dynamic duo of community leaders and pageant titleholders: Emily Schumacher, Miss Coon Rapids and 1st runner-up for Miss Minnesota, and her best friend Eryn LaLonde, former Miss Polk County. Together, they discuss the power of digital connection, the discipline of pageantry, and a shared passion for life-saving advocacy.
Emily, a former collegiate soccer player and current pre-med student, shares how she and Eryn bridged the gap between Minnesota and Florida through a pageant group chat, eventually becoming close friends and collaborators. Beyond the crown, Emily discusses her rigorous journey toward medical school and her hands-on experience working in an emergency room, which fuels her dedication to healthcare.
The heart of the conversation focuses on Emily’s community service initiative: heart health education and CPR/AED training. As a certified instructor and partner with the American Heart Association, Emily emphasizes the importance of early heart screenings for young athletes and the necessity of hands-on training over simple online courses. She shares moving stories of how organizations like “Play for Patrick” and “Who We Play For” are saving lives through proactive cardiac care. 30
