UNL Homecoming Parade

My new fan, John!  He was so excited to ride with me.

Although I have been a student at the University for three years, I have never made it to the parade, and what an honor I had of being the Grand Marshall this year!  My newest fan (I can already tell he's dedicated) was so happy to have me in the car with him.  He even wanted to wave and though mom told him he couldn't I said I'd be happy to have him waving with me.

My lovely ride with the drumline in the back ground.

I got to ride in a brand new maroon Camero with a fantastic sound system and a great driver.  It was a different experience waving to my peers in the parade but a good one at that.  Needless to say I got the loudest cheers as we drove by the fraternities on campus!  After the parade I was escorted to the Wic Center for the release of balloons and ran into one of my favorite people at the University, Herbie!

The wonderful Herbie Husker!

While waiting for the balloon release and the skits I was approached by the Big 10 Network to do an interview!  I was SO excited and honored.

Interviewing on the Big 10 Network!

GO BIG RED!

It was go great to be a part of the University's events and recognized as both a student of UNL as well as the representative of our state.  I am honored to attend such a fantastic university and love the dedicated fans in this state!  And ending the weekend with the largest comeback in our schools football history, wasn't too bad either.

Happy I stayed the whole game,

Kayla 

Miss Nebraska

CMNHospital Fundraiser in Columbus

On Thursday I made my way through the 53mph winds to Columbus, Nebraska to help raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in Omaha.  I had the pleasure of working with some wonderful volunteers and see many goals achieved!  

I even had the pleasure of meeting a family who had spent many weeks at the children's hospital when their son Andrew was diagnosed with cancer.  They had nothing but praise to say about the hospital and the staff that had been there for them when they most needed it.  Thankfully, Andrew is cancer free and has an 80% chance of staying cancer free!  He is the little boy in his mom's arms below in the red...he was just a little shy.

I truly love my job,

Kayla
Miss Nebraska

A little photo shoot time!

Last week, Michele Strom from Winning Crown Boutique had Brooke (Miss NE OT) and I come up to Omaha for a photoshoot!  She dressed us with wonderful dresses from her store and did our makeup!  Her wonderful sidekick, Fawnia did a great job on our hair and kept us looking good throughout out the whole shoot.  Rich Deyo of Deyo Photography did a phenomenal job with our photos and I can't wait to get them back!  But for now here are some action shots, hope you like them!

Love me some  red,

Kayla 

Miss Nebraska

Harvest of Harmony Pageant & Parade

Police officers from the Grand Island Police Academy

Last weekend I made my way through the road construction to Grand Island for the Harvest of Harmony Pageant held by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and then the parade the following morning.  

I arrived that afternoon for the pageant rehearsal and met all the thirty some contestants vying for the title of Miss Harvest of Harmony 2011.  Now I must explain that this pageant is not affiliated with the Miss America Organization but is still a great opportunity to meet new friends and have a great weekend.  All of the contestants were nominated by the students and faculty members of their high schools.  They were all seniors and did a great job representing their schools.  I was very impressed by their maturity during rehearsal and even told some of the volunteers, "I don't ever remember being this quiet in high school!"  Not to worry though, they really came alive once we got back to the hotel to get ready for the pageant.  They most definitely were the chatty high school girls that I remembered being!


The pageant was a great turnout and I had a great time performing and emceeing.  I received many compliments on my sense of humor, which I soaked in like a sponge!

Miss Emily won the Miss Congeniality award, my favorite!

Miss Harvest of Harmony 2011

One of my biggest fans!

After the pageant was over we all got into our jammies and had a pizza party at the hotel!  It was great to relax and get to know that girls a little more, and do a little football talk too.  It was an early morning Saturday as the bus was leaving the parking lot at 7am.  I'm glad I had a blanket to keep me warm during the parade!

Staying warm before the parade!

After the parade I had just enough time to get to Lincoln for some lunch and relaxing time and then I was off to Omaha for another parade!  I sure got my practice waving and smiling :)  Not that it's too terribly difficult.

With the other queens at the UNO Homecoming Parade

Even though it was a packed day it was great!  I got to meet some wonderful girls, make two appearances and watch the football game with some friends that night! 

Loving life,

Kayla

Miss Nebraska 

Nest Fest in Scottsbluff

I made my way to good ole Scottsbluff a few weeks ago to sign some autographs and be a part of the Nest Fest celebration.  There was entertainment by the local dance studio as well as a group from Utah, and they were fabulous!  There was free food, free entertainment and the encouragement to save money for college.  I can vouch for the importance of that as I am paying my way through college.  It is so important to put back as much as you can to avoid the debt that college usually brings.

I had so much fun meeting all the wonderful children that came out that afternoon and enjoyed the entire day, even with the lovely Western Nebraska wind!

The amazing group from Utah, Dyer Highway!

I was blessed to have my mom with me that day to take all my photos for me and attend to me like I'm sure she loves :) 

More to come, 

Kayla

Miss Nebraska

Here is a video by the group that sang/played, they are fantastic, and siblings under 18! Dyer Highway