What do you think of when you hear the word SCHOOL?
This?
This?
Maybe even this?
(Disclaimer.. this is actually what I first thought of about the word ‘school’.. getting totally, embarassingly defeated at something. Morpheus and the Matrix were just an added bonus that made me laugh..)
WELL.. now that I’ve hit my NERD quota for 2016, I’ll get to my point… SCHOOL. The word, and the issue, are anything BUT simply defined these days. College education is highly debated issue in the current presidential campaign. School bond issues are often top stories in our newscasts. Just within the last few weeks, charter schools again resurfaced as a hot topic in Nebraska. (Click here to learn more about the new statewide initiative in reporter Kristyna Engdahl’s story on KETV.)
However you want to define school, Miss Kool-Aid Days 2016 Chelsea Arnold is willing to listen.
Photo courtesy Jenn Cady Photography
“Even before my involvement in the Miss America Organization, I was very vocal about how important it is for students to individualize their education plans,” Chelsea told me recently. “I’ve been a student at many different kinds of schools (charter, online, public, home, private) and have witnessed firsthand how important it is to be an advocate for your own education.”
That message has also been Chelsea’s personal platform of service, both as a teen titleholder (click here to read more!) and now as Miss Kool-Aid Days 2016. She says ‘The 4 Learning Languages’ focuses on the four main types of learning and teaching study habits. Working with students of all ages is a passion for Chelsea, who also volunteers with the Children’s Miracle Network of hospitals, including Omaha’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Travelling to Omaha is no big deal for the Lincoln Southwest senior; she’s visited 48 of our 50 states (one of those trips–an Alaskan cruise right before Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen two years ago, click here to read more!). In addition to being a student and MAO titleholder, Chelsea also models for clients like the Omaha Bridal Fair and Oriental Trading Company.
Still, Nebraska is where the Crete native wants to be, planning to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln next fall to double major in broadcasting and communications, inspired and humbled by her own family.
Her grandfather, Wayne Drummond, is the Emeritus Dean and a Professor of Architecture at UNL with nearly 40 years of professional and academic experience.
“My role model is my grandfather, ‘Poppy’,” said Chelsea. “I have never met anyone who has been so successful in their chosen profession while still making their family their number one priority. I admire his patience, kindness, and integrity. He has told me many times, ‘always be honest and do what is right,’ and I hope to be as successful in my career as he has been following that mantra!”
Chelsea’s mom has also had a huge impact; as a former Miss Alabama contestant, she introduced her daughter to the Miss America Organization.
“I love to sing and it was an opportunity to be on stage,” said Chelsea. “I have benefited from the Miss Nebraska Organization more than I could ever put into words. It has truly pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I will always be thankful for that.”
And to those who criticize the Miss America Organization or pageantry in general, Chelsea Arnold has a quick lesson..
This..
This.. and this.
“It is SO much more than what [we’re] saying on stage,” said Chelsea. “It is not about objectifying women, physical appearance, or hairspray. It’s about women who are given a platform to speak their mind and further their education and careers. Getting that many successful women in one place in incredibly empowering.”
THIS is the class Chelsea Arnold is a part of right now.. the Miss Nebraska Pageant Class of 2016. She wants to take what she’s learned as Miss Kool-Aid Days and educate others as she moves forward, hoping to visit schools of all kinds with a new title: Miss Nebraska 2016.
Photo courtesy Ali Marie Photography
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CLICK EACH LINK to follow Miss Kool-Aid Days 2016 Chelsea Arnold
on FACEBOOK, on TWITTER, on INSTAGRAM
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHELSEA?
CLICK HERE * 2015 * A Beauty Queen’s Bucket List
CLICK HERE * 2014 * Nebraska’s Outstanding Teens
For more information about the Miss Kool-Aid Days Scholarship Pageant, visit THEIR WEBSITE or FACEBOOK PAGE. For information on becoming a contestant, contact Director Angie Trausch at (402) 984-2690 or angie.trausch@gmail.com, or contact Director Angela Keiser at (402) 578-8621 or angelakeiser@gmail.com.
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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.
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PREVIOUS.. Special Feature, Miss Nebraska USA 2016 Sarah Hollins!
NEXT.. Miss Western Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen 2016 Grace Heggem!
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!
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