IT IS TIME.

In less than three months, life will change for two young women in our state, and possibly, the thousands of others they impact.

It’s time to COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN.. who will be the next Miss Nebraska and Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I’m sure there are many readers shaking their heads that I’m writing about pageants.  Many who believe Miss America and pageants in general are archaic, sexist and irrelevant in today’s world.

The girl in this photo? That’s me.  Well, a 21-year old, much thinner version of me.  When this picture was taken, I was Miss Omaha 2002, singing the national anthem for the Omaha Royals at Rosenblatt Stadium.

I found out about Miss Omaha and Miss Nebraska through a letter in the mail.  I had been active in choir and theater in high school, and was eager for the opportunity to sing on a stage again.  I got it.. and more than I ever could have imagined.

I learned how to become a better public speaker: to groups of students at elementary schools, to roomfuls of families at Metro Autism Support Group meetings, to reporters and other local personalities, to hundreds of people filling auditoriums.  I realized the value and importance of public service, focusing on Autism Awareness as my personal platform of service, and the impact you can have simply by caring and advocating for something you believe in.  I found new and exciting chances to sing and perform, opportunities I probably wouldn’t have ever had without that crown on my head.

My story is just one of COUNTLESS ‘Beauty Queen Tales’ right here in the Omaha metro area.  KETV’s Alex Hoffman, Omaha Fashion Week Producer Brook Hudson, Nebraska native broadcaster Brittany Jeffers; ALL competed in the Miss America Organization.  (For more, check out my 2014 post ‘There She Is’.)

What’s more, I think people want to be inspired.  We want to see the GOOD shining through in our world.  The young women competing for Miss Nebraska and Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen exemplify that, and when I began profiling them leading up to last year’s Miss Nebraska pageant, thousands of people around the country logged on to read their stories.  These women MATTER.  (To read more about the Miss Nebraska Class of 2014, click here or click the ‘There She Is’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)

In the coming weeks, I’ll again profile each of this year’s Miss Nebraska contestants; who they are, what’s important to them, and why YOU should care about what they are doing in our state.  As a new addition this year, I’ll also be profiling EACH Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen contestant; 11 teenagers from across the state who will also compete to represent Nebraska.  Who knows, you may also see a few other surprises along the way.

STYLE.  SUCCESS.  SCHOLARSHIP.  SERVICE.

These are the four points of the Miss America crown.  They are a guide, for 24 of Nebraska’s best, trying to become the best versions of themselves and preparing to come together in just three short months for one, exciting week of accomplishments, intelligence, talent, and beauty (inside and out.)

Are you ready?

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The Miss Nebraska & Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen Pageants take place June 3-6 in North Platte.  For more information, visit the Miss Nebraska website.

FIRST CONTESTANT PROFILES..

CLICK HERE for Miss Kool-Aid Days Brooke Ludemann

CLICK HERE for Miss Douglas County’s Outstanding Teen Steffany Lien