Prior to Southern: Attended Neosho High School and ran for coach Harry Lineberry. A four-year letterwinner in trrack, Paullus also lettered in cross country one season. She was an All-Conference and All-District pick, while winning the conference title in the triple jump in 2008 and picked up All-Conference, All-District and All-Sectional honors in 2009. In 2010, she was once again All-Conference and All-District, while picking up a district title in the hurdles and earned the most field event points in the sectionals that season. She helped her track team to conference and district championships in 2008-10, while helping the cross country team to qualify for the state meet in 2009.

Personal: The daughter of Jeff and Angie Paullus, Emily plans to major in secondary education at Southern.