Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013!!!

Happy New Years! I am sad to see 2012 go; it was the best year of my life!  I started out 2012 by organizing the first Missouri Miss Amazing Pageant, which was a life changing event for everyone involved.  After the success of the pageant, I realized my true passion in life: making girls and young women with disabilities feel beautiful and confident.  I discovered a love for organizing events and hope to dedicate my life to working for Miss Amazing, Inc.

During the summer of 2012, I was able to travel to Scotland for the third time!  I love spending my summers there and this year was extra special because I attended my first Scottish wedding.  I loved seeing all the men in kilts and women in fancy hats.  I absolutely adore their culture and traditions. The wedding was incredibly beautiful and I look forward to going to another one next year!

While overseas, I also had the opportunity to spend time in breathtaking Portugal.  I am obsessed with their castles and I loved visiting all the historic places there.  It was the perfect vacation that consisted of golfing, laying by the pool, and seeing all the quaint little towns.  Not to mention, the food was fabulous!

Once back in the states, I started my senior year of school and continued to prepare for the 2013 Miss Nebraska USA pageant.  October 7, 2012  is a day I will never forget.  All my hard work and determination paid off as I was named Miss Nebraska 2013! I am still in awe, but I've remained grounded since becoming the 2013 titleholder. To finish off 2012, I have volunteered for many special causes and made appearances at events all over my hometown, and even Vegas at Miss Universe!

With Mayor Suttle at the Holiday Lights Festival Firework Show

My last appearance in 2012 was one to remember!  I had the amazing opportunity to join Omaha's Mayor, Jim Suttle, onstage along with other contributors to the Holiday Lights Festival for the New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular!  It was an amazing show and I am so thankful for the opportunity.  While watching the fireworks, I reflected on my year and thanked God for all the blessings he has given me and for all the people he has brought into my life.  I am so excited to see what he has in store for me in 2013!

I have a lot of big moments to look forward to in 2013, so be sure to follow my journey! I hope everyone had a fantastic end to 2012 and will continue to have a happy and healthy 2013!

Kyle Weber Photography

I am so excited to share more photos from the shoot I had with the talented Kyle Weber!  I absolutely love his work!  He is one of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and so encouraging.  I am so lucky to have his support throughout my year as Miss Nebraska USA 2013.  But don't just take my word for it, book a shoot with him to find out how talented and sweet he actually is!  You won't be disappointed :) Be sure to like his Facebook page and his website, kyleweber.com , for more information! 

December Events

Happy Holidays everyone!  I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday season.  It was nice to relax with my family and friends for a few days because I have been very busy over the last week and a half.  I kicked off the holiday season by talking with Star 104.5, the Christmas station, about how I used to take ice skating lessons as a kid at the opening of the Conagra Food Ice Rink in downtown Omaha.  The Conagra Food Ice Rink is a great way to celebrate the season while supporting a good cause.  Their mission is to “shine the light on hunger,” and proceeds benefit Food Bank of the Heartland. 

            I was also asked to speak at the Angel Guardians Christmas event.  This was very special to me because Angel Guardians is an organization that is very important to my family.  My oldest brother has been a part of Angel Guardians and it has made a huge difference in my family’s life.  Their goal is to improve the quality of life for special-needs teens and adults in the areas of housing, employment, fitness, socialization and recreation.  I have been volunteering for the VSP (Very Special People) Club, which is designed to provide recreational activities to cognitively and developmentally disabled teens and adults in a comfortable and non-institutional atmosphere, since 2007.  It was great to thank them for making a difference in the lives of those with disabilities and to enjoy the evening with my family.  I also met another great organization that I can’t wait to work with!  As Miss Nebraska USA 2013, I hope to be the spokesperson for those with disabilities and work with as many life-changing organizations as possible.

            One of my favorite things about Christmas is hearing the bells of the Salvation Army.  They are a constant reminder to be thankful for what you have and to give back.  I always keep spare change and dollar bills in every one of my coats so I am prepared to donate to the red kettle.  This year, I took part in helping out by bell ringing a couple different times.  My sister and I lucked out by having gorgeous weather the day we rang together.  People kept commenting that we were having too much fun!  Our kettle was almost overflowing by the time we were done!  Thank you to everyone who donated even just a few coins to the Salvation Army this year!

            I was back on the ice again at the Conagra Ice Rink just a few days before Christmas with my old skating club, Blade and Edge.  Trying to skate with a crown is no easy feat!  It’s safe to say I lost all of my skills, but it was fun to see all the kids skate to Christmas music in fun costumes.  It really put everyone in the Christmas spirit. 

My handsome brother was my date for the Angel Guardian Event

 

On the ice at the Conagra Food Ice Rink

With Marshall an amazing dancer at the Angel Guardian Event 

Miss Universe

Ellie and Ellie in Vegas! 

USA WINS! There is no better way to get me geared up for Miss USA than watching the Miss Universe LIVE in fabulous Las Vegas!  My trip began Tuesday morning when I met Miss Missouri USA, Ellie Holtman, in Vegas (yes two Ellies!) We spent the day walking around the strip and shoe shopping.  That night, we went to Syrup Swimwear party at P.F Changs for the 2013 Miss USA contestants.  It was so great to meet some of the girls before we head off to New York for the media tour and Miss USA next year! 

With Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011

            The next day we attended the Miss Universe dress rehearsal.  I was able to sit front row with Miss Missouri, Miss Hawaii, and the gorgeous Miss Teen USA!  Sitting across from us was the man himself, Donald Trump!  It was amazing to be so close to him, my idol Giuliana Rancic, Andy Cohen and Train.  The final show was a whirlwind, and I was so excited to see Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, take home the crown!  After the show, a few of the 2013 Miss USA and Teen USA contestants went to dinner at the Sugar Factory.  I can’t wait to be reunited with these wonderful girls again in the near future! 

After a trip to remember, I returned home to a beautiful winter wonderland.  My hopes for a white Christmas came true and I can’t wait to spend the holidays with my wonderful family.  I hope you all get the chance to spend this holiday season with your loved ones, as I do with mine. Be thankful for your surroundings, and continually spread holiday cheer.

At the Syrup Swimwear Party

Front Row at Dress Rehearsal 

At Miss Universe with Miss Idaho

 

At the Sugar Factory with Miss Delaware Teen USA 

  

At the Sugar Factory with a few of the USA contestants 

Hillson Photography

I’m done, I’m done, I’M DONE!!! The semester is over and I am back home in the beautiful state of Nebraska.  I finally have time to relax and catch up on my blog!  I have already had so many fun appearances to share with everyone but first I wanted to highlight two amazing photographers I have worked with a few months ago.

            Hillson Photography is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and I had so much fun with photographers Stacey and Landon!   The best way to describe these two is dynamic duo!  They are so talented and so sweet.  I absolutely loved how supportive they are to each other they make an amazing team.   I am so excited to share some of the photos from our shoot! They are so whimsical and soft.   Thanks again Hillson Photoraphy for the support and these beautiful photos.

Show your support and see how talented Hillson Photography is by liking their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hillsonphoto?fref=ts

 Also, please say a prayer for the families and citizens in Connecticut tonight.  My heart hurts for them.  

Post soon. 

XO

The Final Stretch...

Maintaining a blog while trying to finish out this semester is a lot harder than I thought!  I apologize for not posting.  After this semester, I will finally be able to relax and really start enjoying my time as Miss Nebraska USA!  I was crazy taking 21 credits.  As I am suffering from a bad case of senioritis tonight, I thought it would be a good time to post about what has been happening. 

            Well, I have two new pageant sisters and two teen sisters!   I was lucky enough to watch Ellie Holtman and Brenda Smith-Lezama take the Missouri crowns on my beautiful campus of Lindenwood University.  I look forward to meeting my Oklahoma sisters, Makenzie Muse and Graham Turner very soon!  This weekend we will be welcoming two new girls to the Vanbros family at the Miss Kansas USA and Miss Kansas Teen USA pageant! 

            As Miss Nebraska USA, I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing photographers!  I was lucky enough to work with Kyle Weber a few weeks ago and I am so excited to share some of the photos!  Kyle is so talented and so sweet.  I had a blast shooting!  I think the photos speak for themselves in regards to his artistic talents!  Be sure to like his facebook page to see the rest of his incredible pictures, and check out his website! facebook.com/iheartKYLE/ www.kyleweber.com 

Three more weeks of slaving over text books, then I am free and have a very, very busy schedule ahead of me, starting with a trip to Vegas for the Miss Universe Pageant!  Couldn’t think of a better way to end such a crazy semester!  Wish me luck these next few weeks! xoxo

A Month Already!?!

Happy Election Day!!! Wow, it is crazy to think that four weeks have already gone by and I still can’t believe I am Miss Nebraska USA!  I finally have time to relax and catch up on my blog, though I do not think I can really relax tonight as I sit and watch the 2012 election.  What an important day for our country, I could not imagine what it would be like to be Governor Mitt Romney and President Obama tonight!  I came across this picture and had to share; a little pageant humor to lighten up the pre election buzz.  I am very thankful today that I was able to vote a few weeks ago and avoid all the chaos at the polls!  For those of you that do not know, I am finishing up my final year at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, and voted absentee.

I am earning my degree in fashion design and retail, but after visiting the fabulous students of Ronald Reagan Elementary School, I envy my best friend who is studying to be an elementary school teacher.  These kids were so much fun!  I loved talking to them about pursuing their goals and the importance of pushing yourself to overcome obstacles.  They had so many great questions and comments, but some of the more memorable ones were: 1. Do I like Oranges? 2. Your hair looks like a slide. 3. Do I have swag?  HA! So cute!    

I was also able to take part in the Omaha’s Great Pumpkin event hosted by Lutheran Family Services.  This was a very special event because it had a very powerful meaning behind it.   Their mission was to “Shine the Light on Foster Child Adoption.”  There are currently 1033 children up for adoption in Nebraska and each pumpkin on the Pumpkin tree represents one of those children.  It was eye opening to learn about all the kids and teens that don’t have a place to call home or someone to share special moments with.  I had a blast speaking to families who have adopted from Lutheran Family Services.  They are truly remarkable people.  When I saw the pumpkin tree lit up, it made me realize how lucky I am to have a nice home and family to go home to.  If you are one of those remarkable people who have it in your heart to foster a child, please check out Lutheran Family Services at www.lfsneb.org to learn how you can help.

 

Be sure to also follow me on instagram and twitter @RealMissNEusa and to like my page on Facebook!  Well, this is all the social media I can handle for tonight. I will be posting again soon!  Goodnight. xo