Just Add Glitter

We are only four contestants in to this year’s series profiling the 2015 Miss Nebraska/Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen contestants, and I am already seeing a trend.. ENERGY. Nonstop energy.
School. Activities. Volunteering. Leave when it’s dark, come home when it’s dark. NEVER stop smiling.

Maybe it’s this 34-year old body. Maybe it’s being a momma to two little boys who never stop running (and I thank God everyday for that.) Maybe it’s because my Scooters mug is never quite full enough. But I am exhausted FOR these girls; WHERE do they find their energy?

Case in point, today’s featured titleholder is participating in ten extra-curricular activities. TEN.

MISS WESTERN NEBRASKA’S OUTSTANDING TEEN 2015 ALLISON BAIRD

(Photo courtesy Jenn Cady Photography)

“I spend long days and evenings at {Gering High School} making sure every project is finished and every speech is practiced,” Allison told me recently. “I’m lucky if I see my parents some days, and although it’s overwhelming I wouldn’t have it any other way. I never feel like I’m spread too thin because nothing feels like work.”

Fun or not, Allison is involved in A LOT. (Again, TEN different activities in and out of school!) She’s involved at church, in Cheer/Dance, Student Council, Key Club, Girls State (one of two selected to represent western Nebraska), Varsity Show Choir, Drama, Speech, she’s the editor-in-chief of the school paper, and recent national qualifier for DECA.

How could this girl possibly fit one more thing in her schedule? And why?

“The opportunity to be able to represent my favorite state at Miss America, the chance to grow as a person, meet new people and share my ideas is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Allison. “I’m competing for Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen because I want to be able to expand what I’ve been able to do with my local title across the entire state.”

When Allison was crowned Miss Western Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen, she didn’t just dream of big things, she immediately kicked off a plan to make big things happen.

“My platform is Digital Citizenship: Learning To Live Responsibly Online. In an increasingly growing technology-using society, it’s naive to think we can get away from it,” said Allison. “Sure, there are negative effects to use of internet, social media in particular, but rather than pretending it doesn’t exist, or fearing it, it’s time we embrace the use of technology by educating youth, teens and adults on how to ‘live’ online respectfully, responsibly and safely.”

“Digital Citizenship isn’t only about recognizing and dealing with online hazards,” said Allison. “{It’s} about building safe spaces and communities, understanding how to manage your personal information and about being internet savvy, using your online presence to grow and shape your world in a safe, creative way and inspiring others to do the same.”

THIS is what Allison wants to talk about, and one of the reasons she says Interview is her favorite part of the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen competition.

“I love how vulnerable this particular part of the competition is,” said Allison. “It’s the one time that the judges get to see the real, raw me. I can share the passions, goals and aspirations I have. No rehearsal, no preparation, just me. I love that.”

So who is Allison Baird at the end of the day? When this high school junior closes her speech notes, puts away her crown, and adds another DECA trophy to her shelf, who is she really?

“All of these activities have made me who I am today, but underneath everything, I’m still just a normal teenage girl,” said Allison. “Netflix and sweatpants are my best friend on a free Saturday night (on the rare occasion there is one).”

I’ll have to disagree with Allison here. Normal? No. Exceptional? For sure. Allison also competed for Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen last year, and finished 1st Runner-Up. Soon after, here’s what she posted on Facebook:

“THIS is why I love pageants. The sisterhood is so strong. Win or lose, even after the crown is gone, these girls are forever.”

Graceful. Positive. EXCEPTIONAL.

“The Miss America Organization and the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen {pageant} specifically are empowering the women of our state and country’s future,” said Allison. “{This is} a program that fosters scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement in the future leaders, the movers and shakers across the state of Nebraska. Who wouldn’t want to support that?”

So maybe with Allison, and all of these girls, the question isn’t about energy, it’s about MAKEUP. No, not MAC or Sephora… young women like Allison Baird are made of GLITTER; they don’t buckle under pressure, they thrive on it. They don’t crash, they fly. They don’t sweat, they sparkle. And Gering, Nebraska is sending a shining star to North Platte.