army | Anchor's Away

I am currently experiencing a CRAZY sense of deja vu..

This week, I’m back on stage at Papillion-La Vista High School for the first time in 17 years, as a special guest in Monarch Theatre’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Cdr6zevUIAAfLwm

The choir room in this picture.. the theater filled with maroon seats.. the green room where the cast gets ready each night.. it’s all SACRED GROUND to me. It was my home away from home while I was in high school, where I took part in plays and performances, formed my dearest friendships, and created art that I was so very proud to showcase to our community. There was something intoxicating about theater to me.. the thrill of seeing your name on a casting sheet, the adrenaline rush when the curtain goes up, the sheer GLEE of hearing the audience applaud at the end.

Many of my fellow ‘drama nerds’ channeled that love into our current careers: my friend Joe Rohacik now teaches at PLHS, where he is also the PA announcer for the entire district. My friend David Wenzel is now a motivational speaker booked around the country for events (CLICK HERE to read his incredible story!) My ‘green room’ is now the KETV newsroom, and my stage is 7 Burlington Station.

11188246_10152731739046394_6437766903538755340_n

For others.. performing is simply what they were destined to do. My fellow classmates Audrey Billings and Leanne Hill-Carlson are now professional actresses in Chicago and here in Omaha. Monarch alumni Merle Dandridge and Abbie Cobb are now on national TV, starring in shows ranging from HBO to ABC.

Tyler Rambali is somewhere in between.. constantly learning new skills to teach future performers, while fine-tuning her own talents and seeking out opportunities to perform.

12832359_478418515692561_6744862319749783981_n

Photo courtesy Jenn Cady Photography

“I love to sing and act!” Tyler told me recently, and backed that up with an impressive resume of work, including awards with her trio, Major minor 3.

10511188_10202740610372783_6197113504755640072_n

“[We] competed in the Galaxy of Stars competition this last summer and the summer before,” said Tyler (CLICK HERE to link up to Major minor 3’s Facebook page to watch and listen to them sing!). The group won a slew of honors their first year and the Megastar Award last summer, earning a recording session as their prize. Tyler walked away with an additional bonus.

“That is where I met Chelsea Arnold (Miss Kool-Aid Days) and her mother, Paige, who first talked to me about competing in the Miss America system,” said Tyler.

12088555_433536043514142_6547427479322324694_n

Tyler was crowned Miss Chadron last fall, opening up the doors for more performance opportunities across the state… not that she needs them. She’s starred in Annie Get Your Gun, Nunsense, Lettice and Lovageas, Defying Gravity, and currently, she’s the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.

10420075_10153822693405218_2052626406452451363_n

11081074_868289076527209_1550037799192942052_n

11666090_10153309139485218_9142745317107220594_n

Tyler takes on these roles in addition to classes at McCook Community College where she is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Phi Beta Lambda, the National Association for Music Educators and Not Your Average Theatre Group. Now as Miss Chadron, she’s also making appearances and often, trying to promote change with her personal platform ‘Reach Out and Read’.

10478578_452950958239317_2575815581186662208_n

12803310_477500462451033_484320893381485642_n

12348031_449056681962078_6755560431255180512_n

“Reading has become one of the least important things to my generation,” said Tyler. “Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization of medical providers who promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by integrating children’s books and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud [during] well-child visits. I am trying to expand on this by connecting it to Children’s Miracle Network: reading to the children there, giving them books and teaching them the importance as well. I also want to start a Reach Out and Read site in my hometown of McCook!”

It’s the part of pageants that doesn’t end up on reality TV, the service and networking opportunities that open up for these titleholders. THAT is part of what Tyler, a pageant newcomer, hopes to show with her new title.

12507613_458372867697126_7538336578204517203_n

Tyler painted this to symbolize her new adventure competing for Miss Nebraska.

“I wanted to try something new, and on top of that, I had a chance to make my voice heard, make a difference, and be apart of something really special,” said Tyler. “Miss America celebrates women and empowers them and their abilities and accomplishments. It’s purpose is to serve others, show your personal style and what you can bring to the table, provide scholarships, and help you to be successful, and that is what it has done for me!”

12310587_10205308430286676_5603783307536721988_n

Tyler also stresses the friendships she’s already made, adding to circle of loved ones she describes as the most important in her life.

“I have a huge family (over 20 first cousins on one side!),” said Tyler. “Both of my parents served in the US Army (Dad for 20 and Mom for 7) and my brother leaves for basic training in the Navy in May, but I am so proud of him and his endeavors to be a Navy Air Rescue swimmer. My faith in God is the BIGGEST thing in my life, and it is the only way I will be able to let my brother go off to the military.”

12079446_10205065023681663_546934502975760452_n

Tyler adds that her mother is also one of her role models, teaching her at home from Kindergarten through her senior year.. a tie Tyler compares to ANOTHER of her role models, Miss Nebraska and then Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan.

“She has so much in common with me,” said Tyler. “She loves to sing and act and she was home schooled. It gives me encouragement and I know that I can do anything I can set my mind to.”

For anyone at a Nebraska high school right now, dreaming of someday being on a big time stage or on that screen in front of millions.. just LOOK at the incredible talent coming out of our state. Omaha native Gabrielle Union. North Bend native Marg Helgenberger. Norfolk native Johnny Carson.

Tyler Rambali not only wants to follow their lead, she wants to be CAST as the lead in this incredible production called ‘life’.. and she’s ready to call Act I: ‘Becoming Miss Nebraska.’

“I feel that I am an extremely diverse person who can relate to so many people because I have so many different backgrounds: I am biracial, military, city girl, country girl, stage-fright-girl-turned-performer, and so much more!” said Tyler. “I have been placed where I am, in the position I am for a reason, and I will do my very best to not squander the opportunities that God has given me to be a light for HIM.”

11223689_10204274986051216_8003804126834410799_n

Photo courtesy Chris Swasta

***

CLICK HERE to follow Miss Chadron 2016 Tyler Rambali on FACEBOOK

For more information about the Miss Chadron/Miss Northwest/Miss Fur Trade Days Pageant, visit their FACEBOOK PAGE. For information on becoming a contestant, contact Directors Caitlin Rodiek and Sara Smith by email at misscnwdirectors@gmail.com. You can also contact Caitlin Rodiek by phone at 308-207-0336.

***

The 2016 Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant takes place June 8-11 in North Platte, Nebraska. Learn more on THEIR WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE, or follow ON TWITTER and ON INSTAGRAM.

***

PREVIOUS.. Miss Sugar Valley’s Outstanding Teen 2016 Courtney Pelland!

NEXT.. Miss Heartland 2016 Tosha Skinner!

To read more about this year’s contestants, or the Miss Nebraska/Miss Nebraska’s OT classes of 2015 & 2014, click the THERE SHE IS link at the top of the page!

DO NOT mess with Miss Alliance.

Studies biochemistry. Likens pageants to football. Emotionally tougher than nails.

Let’s compare; I can’t follow a recipe most of the time. My nickname on the softball field is 1-3 (as in, I hit it back to the pitcher). I get choked up watching Carter’s commercials.

Yeeeaaaaaa… I’m out.

Miss Alliance, Staci Craighead

Staci’s been to North Platte before; the last time winning the title of Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen in 2010. (She’s one of three former Miss Nebraska Outstanding Teens, including Rachel Foehlinger and Lianna Prill).

“I earned the title [at 17] and fell in love with the four points of the Miss America crown: scholarship, success, style and service,” said Staci in a recent interview. “My family’s values are very similar to these four points which allowed me to grow as a person with my family and the Miss America Organization.”

Staci sees strong leadership at home; her mom Joni is running for the Nebraska legislature, and has actively been involved in the state’s Republican party for 20 years.

“Watching my mother progress and succeed as a businesswoman, politician, and volunteer has solidified my tenacity,” said Staci. “Once I set a goal for myself nothing can get in my way, no matter the course.”

Staci has also experienced setbacks, including a tragic loss several years ago.

“I lost my father to cancer at 14 years old and hold on to his many words of wisdom as I grow into a young woman,” said Staci. “Being earnest comes from my father’s value of honesty and sincerity. His kindness and encouragement were the foundation for my love of service and appreciation for life’s gifts.”

“Happy Father’s Day to the turtle dove that greats me at my car every morning, and on my porch every evening. Love you Daddy.”

Staci has also faced disappointment; dismissal from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shortly after beginning her college career.

“I found myself lost in the transition between ‘assigned’ learning and ‘selected’ learning. I had no idea where I wanted to start my education to further a career and ended up losing interest in my classes,” said Staci. She took a year off to work and ‘grow up’, and was granted another chance at her scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

“Most will tell you that you’ll never go back to school if you stop after the first year or two, but I was determined to prove that staple wrong, and I did,” said Staci. “[I am a] Chemistry major with an emphasis on biochemistry and [hold a] 3.75 GPA. I want to do Bio-defense research for the military after earning a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. I am a firm role model for those who have lost the spark for education as my college experience is proof that you can succeed in every aspect of life.”

TENACIOUS, GREGARIOUS, EARNEST

As Miss Alliance, Staci is taking her personal story to schools and students planning, or not planning, for college.

“As a young woman and student, I have observed and experienced a rising problem among other young Americans. Desensitization to debt and lack of appreciation for the opportunity to pursue an education are variables that are causing a decline in graduation rates across the United States,” said Staci. “I am passionate about educating young Americans about the process of earning scholarships, the fundamentals of fiscal responsibility as newly independent individuals, and understanding what an incredible privilege it is to achieve a higher education.”

Staci calls her platform of service ‘Financial Education: The Dollars Make Sense’.

“I witnessed many of my classmates struggle to pay for school and keep up with the cost of living as a college student, which led me to realize that students are not adequately prepared for the financial difficulties that come with an education,” said Staci. “I plan to work with high school juniors and seniors, teaching them how to set up a monthly budget, establish an understanding of student loans, and succeed in applying for scholarships.”

Staci also volunteers at Crossroads Mission Center in Kearney, in addition to her studies and preparing for the Miss Nebraska pageant.

She also sings at local events, like here for an Omaha Beef arena football game, but Interview is her favorite part of competition.

“Sharing experiences, values, and honesty with the judges brings the process of competing in pageants full circle as it reminds me of why I am there, services and action,” said Staci.

She doesn’t need a reminder about WHO she is.

“I am a woman with a thirst for knowledge, a passion for service, and a hope for the future of education,” said Staci.

One more thing.. this beauty queen plans to become a soldier. Staci says she will join the Army Reserve in her junior year of college.

The Army. Competing for Miss Nebraska.

<<speechless>>

Staci: “I think camouflage and crowns go quite well together!”

We’ll find out soon–Miss Nebraska begins ONE MONTH FROM TODAY.