My first day as Miss Nebraska USA was a busy one! Bright and early, the gorgeous new Nebraska Teen USA, Jasmine Fuelberth, and I were all smiles as we signed our contracts for the next year! Jasmine possesses all of the qualities of a great Miss Nebraska Teen USA: enthusiasm, kind heartedness, and absolute beauty! I am so excited to get to know her over the next year and share this experience with her!
Later that day, I filmed my first news story as Miss Nebraska USA with WOWT Channel 6 Omaha. I was able to put pageantry in a positive light and talk about my involvement in the Miss Amazing Pageant. For those of you who do not know what the Miss Amazing Pageant is, let me explain…
The Miss Amazing Pageant is a 501c3 non-profit organization that was created for girls and women with physical and mental disabilities. It was originally started in Nebraska, but is now expanding statewide. At Miss Amazing, we provide the opportunity for girls with disabilities to build confidence and learn important life skills through pageantry, such as public speaking, poise, and sportsmanship. Our mission is to celebrate the abilities of girls with disabilities. Every girl who competes in a state pageant receives a crown and trophy and leaves feeling as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside
My involvement with this organization started a few years ago when my mom was asked to judge. The Miss Amazing Pageant fits into my family’s life perfectly. I have been competing in pageants for years, and my oldest brother was born mentally disabled. I am currently the state director for Missouri’s Miss Amazing Pageant and assistant director for the Nebraska and Iowa Miss Amazing Pageant. My little sister is planning Iowa’s first Miss Amazing Pageant next year. As you can see it is a huge family affair. It allows me to bring two of my passions in life together: pageantry and working with kids with special needs. During my junior year of college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, I was chosen to be the state director of the first ever Missouri Miss Amazing Pageant. My original goal for the first year was to have 16 girls in a small, donated venue. With hard work, determination, and most importantly, passion, I was able to hold the event in the beautiful Bezemes Family Theater, one of the largest theaters in the St. Louis area, with forty-five girls participating, over a hundred volunteers, and hundreds in attendance. However, I always say “seeing is believing,” so please take five minutes to watch in action how powerful, inspirational, and heartwarming this organization truly is… ENJOY!
As Miss Nebraska USA I hope to make this organization more nationally know and to gain recognition in the pageant community. Move over Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras… it is time pageants have a better image!
Check out the full story here at WOWT Channel 6! Thank you Ross Jernstrom and Amaka Ubaka
Stay beautiful.
xoxo
Ellie Lorenzen
Miss Nebraska USA 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment