Nikki-Catrina Anderson intends to keep children as her top priority in 2019, either as an elementary school teacher or the next Miss Nebraska. The 23-year old Scottsbluff native is completing her degree in Elementary Education while preparing to compete at the 2019 Miss Nebraska competition, the official preliminary event for the Miss America Organization.

“I am enthusiastic about this year!” said Anderson. “Several experiences in this organization, especially over the past year, have helped me grow tremendously and gain a deeper sense of who I am. I am excited to present my best, most confident self to the judges and audience and share the message I would be honored to share across the state.”

Anderson, who will graduate from Brigham Young University this spring, has already earned more than $9,000 in cash scholarships by competing in the Miss Nebraska Organization. She is eligible for thousands more in both cash and in-kind scholarships simply by qualifying for the 2019 competition, including scholarships for graduate programs at several Nebraska institutions.

Anderson has also accumulated more than 3,200 hours of community service in both Nebraska, Texas and Utah, advocating for her personal mission: ‘Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader’. Anderson, who is fluent in sign language and hopes to teach ESL learners, has focused many of her efforts on initiatives impacting children, including book drives, literacy events, and fundraisers for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“I’m passionate about promoting my platform across the state because it goes hand-in-hand with what I want to do with my career: work with kids, promote reading, and inspire others to reach their potential,” said Anderson. “Each opportunity to speak with different groups allows me to fine tune my presentation and teaching skills, strengthening my message and enhancing my future teaching.”

Anderson, currently serving as Miss Old West Balloon Fest, will compete at the Miss Nebraska Scholarship competition June 2-8 in North Platte, Nebraska, where candidates are eligible for more than $70,000 in prize packages and an estimated $1.4 million in in-kind college scholarships. Tickets are available for the event, which will also be streamed live online, at http://www.MissNebraska.org.

For more information, including on how to get involved or compete in the Miss Nebraska Scholarship Program, email marketing@missnebraska.org.