My year as Miss Omaha :): Miss Nebraska Orientation

My mommy Teri at orientation.

It is that time of year again. Pageant season. The Miss Nebraska Orientation was held April 1st and 2nd in North Platte and not only did I get to reunited with all of the wonderful women I will be competing with this June but I got to see my mama. Marianne, Tracy, and Kelsey sped into town a few (by few I mean 20) minutes before they were supposed to so I was a bit behind on packing but quickly gathered my things and we made our way to North Platte. We discussed swimsuit color/style, talent outfit and interview the way down and got quite a few ideas.

After two bathroom breaks we finally made it to town and I got to go straight to my host families house for supper before the contestants met. I would like to introduce you to Tonja, Ben, James and Joe; my four amazing. wonderful siblings. Yes indeed, I claim them as family.

The Heirigs kiddos + me= one of my favorite things in the world.

I have had the pleasure of keeping my host family each year I've competed at Miss Nebraska, making this the third summer I get to have them. I have truly found my place amongst the hectic crazy lifestyle with four kiddos running around. I have a crazy love for children and I wouldn't trade any of them or the loud household or dinner discussions for anything in the world. Laura and Rick (my parents) have always been so good to be and outside of my immediate family, my biggest fans. It's always so encouraging to have the support of all them and their words of encouragement throughout my stays as well. Laura even put a vase of tulips in my room for orientation weekend. They are my favorite! I can't wait to spend my week with them this June!

After supper and some visiting we headed to the church to meet the other contestants and their host families and then headed over to the Engels for a 'contestant only' get together. And surprise, surprise, we got to Skype Teresa! It was such a pleasure talking with her...okay actually listening! If any of you have heard Teresa talk, that girl LOVES it! He had great things to say about her experience at Miss America and having the job now! I am very eager to see her again in June.

Saturday morning kicked off with the contestant order draw and for the second time in my pageant career I am contestant NUMBER 1! That's right, first one on the stage for swimsuit, evening wear and my night of talent. I am in the Diamond group which means I will be competing in onstage question and evening wear the first night of prelims and then swimsuit and talent the second night of prelims. I am very comfortable and satisfied with my choice...not that I had many to choose from being the third from last name called.

After paperwork, tickets, photos, production check, and mock interviews each of the contestants go to join our little sisters for a pizza party! Our directors and parents got to hang out too! Unfortunately only one of my little sisters, Haylee Serrano, was able to be at the pizza party but I am anxious to meet Anabelle Gillen in June! Haylee and I had a great chat during supper and got to know a lot about each other! She told me she is very anxious for the week of Miss Nebraska and is so happy to be my little sister. And of course I'm so grateful to be her big sister!

Haylee and I

J-States and I posing for a photo!

We could definitely be real sisters, look at that cross-eyed action!

After a very eventful and busy day I was ready to head back home to Lincoln! Marianne, Kelsey, Tracy and I loaded up again and took to the road with talk about everything. Really, I'm not kidding. We talked about boys, Miss Nebraska, death, Sunday school, marriage, happy things, and sad things. It was a great carpool event! On one of our bathroom stops we were facing West and got this incredible view.