pediatric cancer action network

I have a folder on Pinterest titled ‘Must See Before Death.’ (Sheesh.. that sounds morbid..) I think of this folder as my virtual travel guide wish list for the world. So far, I haven’t made it far.. to the Bahamas once, Mexico once, Canada once. Iowa MANY times. I hope this isn’t just wishful thinking.. that someday I’ll get to see these gorgeous places with my own eyes and not just in pictures. I’m a daydreaming world traveler wannabe.

You’re about to meet a young woman who at just 17 years old already has a jump start on me.

MISS OMAHA’S OUTSTANDING TEEN 2015 CHELSEA ARNOLD

(Photo courtesy Jenn Cady Photography)

Chelsea is arguably an explorer of the world, both literally and physically. When I talked to her last year as Miss Northwest’s Outstanding Teen (click here to read more!) Chelsea was getting ready for a 3-week cruise to Canada and Alaska, after a school year spent taking full-time online classes through the University of Nebraska High School. This year, Chelsea returned to a more traditional high school setting, attending Lincoln Southwest High School and taking part in several Silver Hawk activities.

February, Chelsea posted on Instagram: “A little late but I’m so proud of #Ambeyonce for finishing the season as grand champs this past weekend!”

Chelsea was part of the award-winning Ambience performance choir at LSW, competitively performing at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and at the UNL School of Music throughout the school year. She’s also part of the sold-out production of Lincoln Southwest’s White Christmas, chosen to be part of the International Thespian Society’s Festival this summer.

Regardless of where she’s studying, Chelsea is often in the spotlight, and at times, to a far-reaching audience.

Last summer, Chelsea was featured on the cover of Oriental Trading Company’s catalog. She won first place in the Nebraska State Fair’s Galaxy of Stars Talent Competition. Chelsea also finished in the Top 5 at the 2014 Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen pageant, leading her to Omaha in the hopes of again, being a teen titleholder.

Chelsea winning a title at in Omaha in November, along with Miss Douglas County’s Outstanding Teen Steffany Lien, both crowned by Miss Nebraska’s OT 2014 Morgan Holen. The day after, Chelsea posted on Instagram: “Incredibly excited to begin my year as Miss Omaha’s Outstanding Teen. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support me last night!”

Since that moment, Chelsea’s booking calendar has only filled up more. She volunteered in Lincoln’s Radio-Thon for the Children’s Miracle Network. She also spent time alongside Miss Omaha Megan Gould and Mrs. Nebraska Erika Shelton to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Action Network. She was selected as a model for the Omaha World Herald Bridal Show at the Mid-America Center, and took part in all three Miss America service days to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

Chelsea’s photos on Facebook and Instagram also exemplify what she calls her favorite part of the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen experience: friendships.

Chelsea with Miss Scotts Bluff County’s OT 2015 Grace Heggem in Kansas City, with other teens competing for Miss Omaha’s OT in November, and with 2014 Miss Nebraska’s OT contestant Alexis McGlone at a recent choir competition. Chelsea told the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen program: “I’ve met some of my best friends in this system and I’m so thankful to be a part of it.”

Maybe we are all daydreamers in some respect, it’s just our dreams are all different. Some dream of bright lights and roaring applause. Some dream of white sand beaches with the soft lull of waves as they sleep. Some dream of white picket fences with babies laughing in the yard.

Only a few of us print off our Pinterest lists and make our dreams reality. At 17 years old, Chelsea Arnold has traveled, performed for hundreds, and been seen by thousands. ‘Wannabe’ isn’t in her vocabulary; her next adventure will likely be wherever and whatever she wants it to be. In less than two weeks from tonight, we’ll all know if the next stop on her world tour will be as Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen.

Follow Miss Omaha’s Outstanding Teen 2015 Chelsea Arnold

on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram, and on the Miss Omaha/Miss Douglas County’s Outstanding Teen Pageant on Facebook. To contact Chelsea for appearances and events, please contact omahadouglascountyOT@gmail.com.

Click here for a special feature on Chelsea on the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen Facebook page!

For more information about how to become a contestant, contact Director Kelsey Ellis at 402-980-1984 or by email at omahadouglascountyOT@gmail.com.

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The Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen Pageant will take place June 5, 2015 in North Platte. Click here to visit the organization’s website or the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen Pageant on Facebook and on Twitter.

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PREVIOUS.. Miss Gering’s Outstanding Teen 2015 Emma Keifer

NEXT.. Miss Chadron’s Outstanding Teen 2015 Shelby Blundell

To read more about the Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen Class of 2014, click on the ‘There She Is’ link at the top of the page.

Complete disclosure: I’m a former Miss Omaha. I’m a current volunteer with the Miss Omaha/Miss Douglas County pageant, hoping to recruit outstanding young ladies to compete every year. As much as I’d like to be at every local pageant across the state, Miss Omaha is often the only one (other than Miss Nebraska) I can attend.

I was front row for this moment..

..when Miss Nebraska newcomer, Megan Gould, was crowned Miss Omaha 2015, along with Miss Douglas County 2015 Alyssa Howell.

MISS OMAHA 2015 MEGAN GOULD

(Photo courtesy Jenn Cady Photography)

“Literally, this was a dream come true,” Megan told me recently. “I had watched pageants for as long as I could remember and finally getting to be a local titleholder for the MISS AMERICA system was an absolute blessing. Little did I know at the time just how much of a blessing it would truly be.”

Megan, an Alliance, Nebraska native and University of Nebraska Lincoln student is now spending more time in the eastern part of the state she likely ever has before. She includes Children’s Miracle Network, Leap-For-A-Cure, Pediatric Cancer Action Network and others among the charities she’s worked with since that crowning moment last fall.

“I have booked myself for more appearances I can count and put in a large number of hours in preparation for Miss Omaha,” said Megan. “I have done appearances ranging from hosting events at bowling alleys to reading to children to Children’s Miracle Network fundraisers to platform presentations. Each appearance is as exciting as the next.”

That platform is Megan’s mission to promote constructive use of social media, or as she calls it, ‘T.H.I.N.K. Before You Post.’

“I see posts on social media sites that have no need being broadcast for the world to see,” explained Megan. “The problem is many social media users do not understand the effects their posts can have on their lives. T.H.I.N.K. is a list of five questions I hope all social media users will ask themselves before making a post on social media: T-is it true? H-is it helpful? I-is it intelligent? N-is it necessary? And K-is it kind?”

Megan notes she’s been traveling across the state to talk about her platform, and the ramifications of poorly using social media. In addition, Megan updates a blog with tips about responsible social media use. (Click here to check out Megan’s blog: My Journey As Miss Omaha 2015.)

“During presentations I emphasize how social media users can use social media to their advantage to market themselves,” said Megan, a Business Marketing major at UNL. In addition to her studies, Megan is also active with her sorority, the Kappa chapter of Chi Omega, and she’s a Nebraska Cornhusker Cheerleader.

“I can be seen on the sidelines of Memorial Stadium in front of 92,000 of the greatest fans of college football, or courtside in the Bob Devaney Sports Center or Pinnacle Bank Arena cheering for volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball,” said Megan. “[We] participate in a collective 200+ hours of community service visiting various schools, nursing homes, grand openings and charity events throughout the Lincoln area and all of Husker Nation.”

So why add to that already busy schedule by adding Miss America to the to-do list?

“One reason is the tremendous amount of scholarship opportunities provided as the Miss America Organization is the #1 scholarship provider of young women in the world,” said Megan. “Another reason is that I love performing and being a titleholder with the Miss America Organization provides me with unlimited opportunities to perform and share my love of dance with others. Additionally, I am given the chance to be very involved with various charities and causes dear to my heart.”

Omaha’s motto is ‘We Don’t Coast’. Here’s a young lady who, like thousands of other college students, could be partying every weekend, napping between classes and simply kicking back for four years. Megan Gould is a cheerleader for life, spreading positive energy and inspiring people around her. SHE don’t coast, and she couldn’t be more proud to represent this city.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity not only to be a representative and ambassador for the Omaha area but also to get to promote the Miss America Organization,” said Megan. “[To] make appearances throughout the state and have the opportunity to compete for my dream job, Miss Nebraska, this coming June.”

(Photo courtesy Steph’s Studio)

Follow Miss Omaha 2015 Megan Gould

on Twitter, on Instagram, and via Megan’s blog: My Journey As Miss Omaha 2015.

To contact Megan about appearances and events, and for more information on the Miss Omaha/Miss Douglas County Scholarship Pageant, click here to visit the organization on Facebook, visit the Miss Omaha/Miss Douglas County Pageant website, and follow on Twitter.

For information on becoming a future contestant, contact Executive Director Marianne Grubaugh at 402-330-8033 or by email at missomahapageant@yahoo.com.

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The Miss Nebraska Pageant will take place June 3-6, 2015 in North Platte. Click here to visit the organization’s website, to visit the pageant on Facebook, to follow the pageant on Twitter, and to follow the pageant on Instagram.

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PREVIOUS.. Miss Panhandle 2015 Jessica Littlejohn

NEXT.. Miss Kearney Crane Festival 2015 Allison Tietjen

To read more about the Miss Nebraska Class of 2014, click on the ‘There She Is’ link at the top of the page.