Brighton High School grad and Miss Spirit of the State Hannah Palmer was crowned Miss Michigan 2025 on Saturday, June 14, at the Frauenthal Theater in downtown Muskegon.
The member of the Class of 2018 is also founder and president of the Sunflower Project, a non-profit focused on mental health education and conversations. The Eastern Michigan University grad is also a third-grade teacher in Ann Arbor, where she champions social-emotional learning initiatives for all students.
In 2015, after a challenging journey marked by five suicide attempts and the tragic loss of a family friend to suicide, Palmer was diagnosed with major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders. After the death of her family friend, Palmer took the initial steps toward her own mental health recovery by seeking professional help, and she now inspires others to do the same.
The Sunflower Project was one of two non-profits to receive funds from the Brighton High School Senior Survivor program in 2024.
As a mental health advocate, Palmer engages with service organizations, educational institutions, and collaborates with state legislators as she works to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as foster a climate of understanding, support and proactive intervention.
You can read more about Palmer by clicking here.
