Thursday, October 18, 2012

First Day On The Job!


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 for the support.




Stay beautiful.
xoxo
Ellie Lorenzen
Miss Nebraska USA 2013

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Dream Come True...


Hello and welcome to my blog!!   I have never been much of a writer, that is my younger sisters forte, but I want to make sure I document the amazing year I have ahead of me!  I know it will go by so fast!  For those of you who do not know anything about me, this first post will provide a little background information.  My name is Ellie Lorenzen and I am Miss Nebraska USA 2013!


Being Miss Nebraska USA has been a dream of mine since I was 17 years old when I signed up for my first Miss Nebraska Teen USA pageant.  Every year I’ve competed, I've learned so much about myself; the life skills I’ve taken from pageantry has really shaped who I am as a person.  On October 7th, my dream finally came true when I was crowned Miss Nebraska USA at the beautiful Rose Theater in Omaha Nebraska! Not only was it in my hometown, but it was also in a place so familiar to me. Before my life in pageants, I was a student at the Omaha Theater Ballet and used to perform at the Rose.  It was great to be back at my old stomping grounds.  
Interview Award Winner
With the new Miss Nebraska Teen USA

I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my journey to the crown and hope you continue to support me as I begin to prepare for Miss USA next year!  I am excited and grateful for this roller coaster ride I am about to embark on!  

Until next time…
xoxo
Ellie Lorenzen
Miss Nebraska USA 2013


Thank you to my incredible cheering section!  I love you all!!