Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2012

Car Show

2012-02-13T19:52:00.006-06:00

I had a blast at the Midland International Car Show. It was fun to see all of the families together exploring all sorts of cars. I was able to help sell raffle tickets for a 2012 Chevy Camero to profit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I walked around the show selling tickets to people who hadn’t even seen the car. Those who bought without seeing the car were truly blessings who were just willing to give to good cause. The other half of the time I sat at the Make-A-Wish table selling tickets and signing autographs. I also enjoyed speaking with the other volunteers, some were families of Make-A-Wish kids. It was tearjerking to hear how happy the different wishes granted made the families. One family went to Disney World. Now they are active with the Make-A-Wish foundation and their own organization named, Cure A Cause. After My shift with the Make-A-Wish table I was able to view all of the different cars, it’s always an adventure as Miss Nebraska Teen USA!

Children's Hospital Omaha

2012-02-01T21:00:00.020-06:00

On my day off of school in January I chose to spend my day at the Omaha Children’s Hospital. My first hour there I stayed in the lobby to talk with the kids and their families, help with arts and crafts hour, and even sign autographs. While in the lobby I attracted people walking by and even some little girls that came down just because they heard I was coming. After the craft hour I brought in 35 Project Linus blankets, which I have made from donations from people like you, to distribute to some of the children staying at the hospital. Seeing the children’s faces light up when they receive the blankets that they pick out never gets old. I try to have enough variety of patterns and colors so the kids can pick what best fits them and will make them feel comfortable.

As I made my round on the floor, I visited enough children to run out of boy blankets and most all of the blankets! Each of the children had a different story, they mostly came from the midwest and were all there for various reasons. I am blessed to have been able to spend time with each of them. Their ages ranged from newborns to 18-year-olds. Visiting with a girl my age was the most emotional for me that day. Seeing someone my age not able to go to school, see her friends, travel, or do any of the things many of us take for granted, makes me reflect on just how fortunate I am. I cannot describe how grateful and honored I am to have all of these breath taking opportunities as Miss Nebraska Teen USA.

I plan to continue with all of my volunteering and other various appearances. Keep up with my busy schedule here. If you would like more immediate updates on what I am doing, smaller events, and of course some of my favorite quotes be sure to follow me on twitter @realmissneteen Thank you all so much for being such faithful followers and Happy February!!

Rory comes down every time "princesses" comes to Children's :)

I am convinced she will be one someday

I enjoyed coloring with Cloe'

Miss Amazing workshop & Blanketeer day

2012-01-22T12:42:00.003-06:00

I have been one busy girl! Just a couple Saturday’s ago I was called to help out at the first Miss Amazing workshop here in Nebraska. The Miss Amazing Pageant is a pageant for girls with special needs, ages ranging from 5-35 in 7 different age devisions. The girls competing gain confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment. The pageant was created by my friend and pageant girl Jordan Somer, she started the pageant just 5 years ago and it is now being spread across our nation. I am passionate about helping with this pageant as much as I can. I love meeting the girls, helping them, talking to them, everything is just a blast! At this first workshop we helped the girls find their “inner star.” We talked about what they like to do, what they want to be, and how they can do this. These girls are inspiring. We heard stories about wanting to stop bulling because that is what they know and they want to help others with their problems. Contact Jordan Somer if you are interested in volunteering or starting your own state Miss Amazing pageant. http://missamazingpageant.com/page9

As you know Project Linus is a HUGE part of my life. It is a national organization and this year I got to share it with my school. I helped spread my passion through holding a Blanketeer day with the help of student council at my high school. The Project Linus Organization has always had blanketeer days but this is the first one I held on my own. It turned out to be a great experience! I started advertising it in the school announcements, posters and fliers but I knew that wouldn’t be enough, that is when facebook came in. I posted about the blanketeer day on my schools Facebook Page as well as the National Honor Society and Student Council group pages I think this is truly what helped produce such a great turnout. To put something like this on and really reach out to the students you have to think about how they get their information and for now, it’s through facebook and twitter.

The blanketeer day was held in my schools library after school on Wednesday. It was a cold windy gloomy day, a great day to make blankets! The students were asked to bring donations of fleece to cut and tie. Most of the donations came from the student council! The Monday before the student council sponsors went out and bought a ton of fleece which my mom and I cut before the blanketeer day so students could then tie them. In the end the blanketeer day had students from all sorts of organizations, student council, LEO club, circle of friends, NHS, Skills USA, and other various students. We made 30+ blankets and the local paper covered the event. I am proud of my school and all we accomplished. Thanks to everyone who helped out! Let me know if you would like to donate to Project Linus.

Arkansas USA

2012-01-18T23:08:00.009-06:00

Rounding off the Vanbros 2012 pageants, was Arkansas. I am so glad I was able to be there to spend time with the beautiful Oklahoma girls again, meet the Missouri Teen, and the Kansas girls! :) It was also a blast to have the opportunity to meet previous queens, Sydnee Stottlemyer, Miss Missouri Teen 2011, who placed 4th runner-up at Miss Teen USA. It was definitely inspiring speaking with her and

the outgoing Arkansas girls, Mary-Kate Hartley and Lakynn McBride. Each were, and still are, wonderful representatives for their states, the USA system, and Vanbros. I hope a year from now to be able to look back and be proud of all I have accomplished with the goals I have met and all I have done with my title much like these amazing girls.

Being in the audience of any pageant is always nerve-racking and exciting. But being in the audience of a pageant while waiting to see who your sister will be for the next year, is a whole other level. Amber was a stand out from the beginning, of course, and I am so excited for her to be our last teen. Kelsey is unbelievably sweet and super pretty, she will be an outstanding role model this year, I am sure. Now that all the 2012 Vanbros pageants are over we will now be onto bootcamps. Blogs on my first will be soon to come! Thank you all so much for your shares and continued following of me on my journey to Miss Teen USA.

With the beautiful Arkansas Teen USA Girls; 2011 and now 2012 congratulations:)

Katie and I with the Chick-Fil-A cow! :) We don't have a Chick Chick in NE

Ronald McDonald House; Bringing in the New Year

2012-01-10T16:09:00.007-06:00

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” Elizabeth Andrew

I believe this applies to me. I also believe in the power of the crown. I have always been passionate about helping the less fortunate. This past Monday the 2nd, after the Capital One Bowl, I was able to go to the Omaha Ronald McDonald House. I had signed up to serve dinner to the families with the Winning Crown Boutique Staff including owner and pageant coach Michele Strom and former Miss Nebraska Teen USA, Sarah Hollins. But that is not all I did.

I have served meals before, collected pop tabs, and of course donated many Project Linus blankets. This trip was no different except I am now Miss Nebraska Teen USA, so I guess you could say it was ALOT different. Over my Christmas break I tied many blankets for Project Linus, finishing off my 2011 year strong. I brought 30 of those blankets to the Ronald McDonald House on this Monday. I helped some of the kids pick out their blankets and one little boy pick one for his baby brother who is at UNMC. It is always a breath taking, life altering experience and I encourage anyone who has never been to a Ronald McDonald House to visit. I also arrived with an abundance of pop tabs which they will use to help pay their electric bills.

Thus far I have loved every minute of volunteering that I have been able to help with and organize as Miss Nebraska Teen USA. I plan to continue with it with all of your support. I have already experienced how the crown truly effects people and their willingness to give; whether it is donating to the Salvation Army collecting fleece for Project Linus or even collecting pop tabs, people seem to be more intrigued. Throughout my reign, I plan to use this to my advantage to give back as much as possible.

I have a new Project Linus goal for 2012, I hope to beat my 2011 number of blankets which was 147!! I brought those to places like, Bergan Mercy Medical Center, Box Butte Hospital in Alliance NE, Ronald McDonald House, and Teddy Bear Hollow. To do this I will need help I am hoping for at least 200 in 2012!! If anyone is interested in donating fleece or money for me to purchase fleece for the children, I would really appreciate it. For more information on Project Linus visit http://www.projectlinus.org. If you are interested in donating please email me, missneteenusa2012@gmail.com. Thank you and have a wonderful positive week!

My Visit to Ezra Elementary School

2012-01-02T14:29:00.009-06:00

Starting my winter break off right, I went to Ezra Elementary School on Wednesday, December 21 where I spoke to students during the assembly for their winter festival. The school helps with a service project each year. I was thrilled to receive a call from the parent in charge of the festival explaining to me that their service project is Project Linus. Project Linus provides blankets to children who are ill, usually in hospitals. The blankets give the children a touch of home and comfort them during their long stays in the hospital. I have been involved in Project Linus for about 4 years and have made over 250 blankets for the amazing organization.

The students at Ezra were able to relate by remembering their trips to the doctors office, it isn’t usually a very fun happy place. I explained to the kids that the blankets from Project Linus help give a splash of color to the hospital rooms and they were excited to help make blankets. They made fleece tie blankets in each of the class rooms. After the assembly I traveled from class to class to help tie some blankets. I had an amazing time inspiring children to volunteer and enjoy what they do. After I spoke, I asked if anyone had questions and if you know elementary kids, they have lots of questions! All of the questions were a blast, lots on Toddlers in Tiaras, when I won, what I have to do, etc. I hope to continue doing many more events like this. I love helping young students find a service project to fit them, and one that they can stick with as they grow up like I have.

Salvation Army bell ringing, Diaper Drive, Project Linus

2011-12-25T22:34:00.018-06:00

The weekend before my high school semester finals I was very busy volunteering when I could have been studying. But it all turned out okay when I got my grades back, all A’s and one B, I’m satisfied.

Saturday the 17th I woke up and headed to my local HyVee to ring the bell for the Salvation Army for the second time this winter. It is always rewarding and a wonderful treat to see how willing people are to give during the holidays. But this time was different. I met a little boy, named Riley, and his dad. Riley is just 5 years old and has a baby brother, Spencer, 12 weeks, who is at Children’s Hospital. He was born with a neuromuscular disease and his future is unsure. It was eye opening for me when Riley told me about his little brother and asked for one of my comp cards for each of them. Their dad, Sean, told me how they would take my card to Spencer in the hospital. I didn’t know what to write at the time other than the fact that he is a true miracle, he is. Please keep little Spencer in your thoughts and prayers.

On Sunday I was able to donate 6 boxes of diapers to the Channel 941 Diaper Drive. I am glad that I was able to help contribute to their total of 600,543 diapers. The diapers are donated to the Lydia House in Omaha. It took three truck loads to deliver them all this year. I was able to meet Corey and Montez from Channel 94.1. It was nice meeting them, they are just as kind and funny in person as they are on air.

Immediately after, my momager and I went to Hancock Fabrics for their major sale. We bought lots of fleece for Project Linus. Just a few weeks before, I helped my class at school organize a service project, we chose Project Linus I thought it would be perfect and so did my classmates. Each student was asked to bring in just 2 dollars, we raised $83. Some students were so generous to donate more than asked. All of which went toward the fleece I purchased that Sunday afternoon. I am looking forward to spending time over my holiday break making blankets and donating them. Look for a post later on. I am always taking donations, I really appreciate everything and so will the children.

As for my Christmas, I asked family for Fleece. I was given enough to make 9 blankets! I had a wonderful Christmas and I am so thankful for everything I received and the family and friends I was able to spend time with. I hope you all have a blessed holiday season.

New York New York

2011-12-17T12:55:00.002-06:00

First I would like to start off by expressing how blessed and thankful I am for the many opportunities I have already had as Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2012. I have recently returned from a fairy tale trip to New York City. I arrived in the city with my wonderful mother on Thursday the 8th and stayed through Sunday. On Thursday we did a little shopping and were able to see The Rockette Christmas Spectacular. It was an astonishing show and I would suggest that anyone planning a trip to NYC over the holidays sees it. It made me feel like a little kid again and truly got my mom and I in the Christmas spirit. From there we stopped by Serendipity 3 for their famous frozen hot chocolate.

Friday we started the day off right with Starbucks on the way to the Miss Universe Organization Office. There I met new girls and MOU staff and reunited with old friends such as Miss Pennsylvania Teen and my Vanbros sister Miss Oklahoma. I had an interview and then went to Central Park for some photos. I had a blast running around in heels, throwing frisbees, and watching ice skaters. Later on that day I went to the Trump Tower with Miss Oklahoma and Miss Washington Teen. We met Mr. Trump himself at his book signing for his new book, Time to Get Tough. I am still in awe of the time he took to have a conversation while there were many others waiting for him in line. He is a true inspiration and I am honored to have met him. Who knows maybe I will meet with him again some day soon? Anything is possible! From there I went to the Sherri Hill show room and tried on beautiful gowns and cocktail dresses. I was able to borrow a stunning fun cocktail for Fadil Berisha’s holiday party that evening. His party was a fun time to meet new people, get all dolled up, and see what an amazing apartment in New York looks like. All of his photos are absolutely gorgeous.

I spent the weekend with Amy and many other beautiful talented title holders. It was fun with Amy because she had never been to NYC before! We were able to participate in some video shooting for Sherri Hill. I went to a central park shoot and one in Times Square. Some of the girls and I rode in a carriage around Central Park. The craziest thing I did over the weekend, and ever in my life, was participating in a flash mob in the middle of Times Square. I wore a stunning bright orange Sherri Hill cocktail unlike anything before. The rest of the queens and I sat around in our long coats and randomly joined in the flash mob. I can’t wait to see the video! And of course before I left I had to see the Rockefeller Tree! On an another note my mom and I visited the 9/11 memorial. It is a area of reflection that really makes you appreciate our country and our heroes. It will be beautiful when fully completed. I hope to visit it again some day.

Over all it was an amazing weekend and I am forever grateful. Experiencing New York during the season was wonderful and the company made it that much more memorable.

California

2011-12-10T20:06:00.002-06:00

While many were busy shopping on Black Friday I was traveling to Anaheim, California to attend a national pageant as Miss Nebraska Teen USA. I was able to catch up with numerous people including Steven Roddy with The Pageant Planet. I was interviewed by Steven and Joy Soprano. I am so blessed with the amazing support of pageant friends all over the country. I am grateful for all of my friends who have supported all I do and I can’t wait to see where life brings us.

Although I was just visiting the pageant, it was still an exhausting weekend! Pageant life never gets old, it is always a thrill to watch final pageants and this was no different. I am excited for the new queens and wish them the best as they too dive into a year as a title holder.

It was fun spending time with my amazing mother Dee, hair and makeup artist Michele Strom, and her talented assistant Austin Ryde. Taking a break from pageant activities we shared many laughs during dinner in Downtown Disney, at the same restaurant as Jessica Alba. I signed my first autograph as Miss Nebraska Teen USA here, one we sent to Jessica Alba, the other for our waitress.

Signing my first autograph as Miss Nebraska Teen USA

Interviewing with the beautiful Joy Suprano reflecting on my crowning moment and discussing Miss Teen USA

Downtown Disney with hair and makeup artist Austin Ryde

Oklahoma USA

2011-12-08T12:43:00.001-06:00

Just three short weeks after the Nebraska Pageant I was off on my first traveling appearance. I was thrilled to be able to travel to the Miss Oklahoma USA and Miss Oklahoma Teen USA pageant. My amazing mom (momager) drove 9 hours to arrive amongst the height of the pageant weekend, Saturday evening right before prelims. We left early that morning in order to make the jaunt to Kansas City, Nebraska doesn’t have shopping like KC does.

The competition was tough and the opportunity to watch all the contestants as Miss Nebraska Teen USA was amazing. It was exciting to experience the pageant from the audience, as others did just three weeks before, in Omaha. Throughout the pageant I couldn’t stop wondering who Amy and I would spend our year with. When it was all over I met the beautiful Miss OK USA-Lauren Lundeen and Miss OK Teen USA-Jessica Morgan.

I was honored with the privilege of wearing gorgeous cocktail dresses both nights from Omaha’s own, Winning Crown Boutique. The quote of the weekend that will stick with me forever is this, “A boy has a better chance of playing in the NFL than a girl has at winning a USA title” perfectly stated by Morgan Woolard It was inspiring to meet her and many others such as Sherri Hill model, Laci Scott.

In addition to the pageant Amy and I visited our generous sponsor, Brian Attebery in Oklahoma City. It was more fun for us than a hard workout. I am looking forward to using his wonderful advice and direction this year as I prepare for Miss Teen USA.

Military Appreciation & Salvation army

2011-12-03T21:49:00.000-06:00

Since my crowning I have been blessed with many appearances. The weekend after I won I was able to greet military families at a Military Appreciation Festival and Lunch in my community. This was an amazing opportunity that I will never forget. There were two families that made a major impact on me. A little girl came up to me and asked, "Can I take a picture with you? I want to send it to my daddy." Then her mom looked at me and told me that her father is in Afghanistan. Another family came with many children, one mom, and a life size cut out dad, who is also fighting overseas. This event was very eye opening for me and makes us all remember to thank all of our military families. That same weekend I was a lead in my high school musical All Shook Up. As you can imagine winning Miss Nebraska Teen USA didn't have much time to sink in.

Today, I rang bells for the Salvation Army at a local mall. Unfortunately it was one of the coldest and snowiest days of our winter so far. Miss Nebraska USA, Amy Spilker had planned to come but because of the weather could not make it. Today was a great day. I was able to encourage people to donate to a worthy cause and of course, I attempted to play Jingle Bells with the bell. Thanks to hand warmers from mom and coffee from dad I was able to stay warm on our snowy Nebraska day.

Remember to give back as often you are able and thank those who fight for our country.

My first blog as Miss Nebraska Teen USA

2011-12-03T20:46:00.000-06:00

Just 34 short days ago I was crowned Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2012.

Sunday, October 30 I was welcomed into the Vanbros' family and I truly believe that night could change my life forever.

I had a whirlwind weekend filled with new friends, fun rehearsals, lots of pictures, late nights, early mornings, and competition of course! I was dropped off by my wonderful "momager" on Friday morning to meet my blessing of a roommate, Chrissi. I could not imagine a better roommate, I am so thankful for her.

I am forever grateful for the many friends and family members who attended the pageant to support me. I had both family and friends from out of town and I truly appreciate each and every one of them. Without their constant love and support I may not be Miss Nebraska Teen USA.

I am honored to share that it was the fabulous Madison Novak who crowned me. I was also awarded swimsuit, photogenic, and interview. I am excited to share the year with Miss Nebraska USA 2012, Amy Spilker!

I am looking forward to a year full of volunteering, traveling, meeting new people, preparing for nationals, and the many new experiences I will have.

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Amy Spilker Miss Nebraska USA 2012

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