Miss Military Star Arkansas Teen Mattea Emerson presented gift baskets for the Harrison Police and Fire Departments at City Hall on Friday, Feb. 14. Her journey of kindness is part of her Community Service Initiative project entitled “Helping our Helpers.” She started early Friday morning by delivering baskets to the State Police, Boone County Jail, Central Dispatch, Emergency Room, and EMS at the Hospital and City Hall.
“I’ve been presenting gift baskets to first responders for a couple of years,” she said. “Because of my background, I feel comfortable around first responders, and everyone doesn’t feel that way. So part of my platform is about education and showing support to those who serve.”
Emerson’s father is retired military. Her family has a long line of law enforcement officers. At 17, she is a student at Harrison High School while taking college classes. She holds a third-degree blackbelt and will travel to Erie, Pennsylvania, for the national competition in June. She has held the Miss Military Star Arkansas Teen title since November 2024.