My Miss Nebraska

It started as a joke. A member of my church has had a long time involvement with the Miss Nebraska program and I mentioned to her that my family should host a contestant. I was sure my daughter would enjoy it.

Some time later the phone rang. My wife answered it. It was someone from the Miss Nebraska program telling her about our upcoming house guest. Oops. I guess I forgot to mention it.

In any event, this is how Heather came into our lives. Heather is Miss Columbus. Heather is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and is currently living in Omaha. Heather is delightful.

And Heather is persistent. As we got to know Heather we learned that she has overcome much adversity. At five she was diagnosed with Crohn's Syndrome. This causes her weight to fluctuate a great deal, as much as 20 pounds a month either way. With the Crohn's comes arthritic complications. One doctor told her she has the spine of a ninety year old woman. And yet she dances because she loves to dance.

Dance is Heather's talent. Her platform is mentoring. She has mentored many young women and truly believes in her platform.

We learned a lot about pageants this week. We learned the cliches are true. We experienced the ironies of pageants. The girl with the anti-bullying platform is the biggest thug in the dressing room and the girl with the eating disorders feel good about your body platform ate celery all day for swimsuit competition.

And then there was Heather. Steady, level-headed Heather. She had to cope with her gown, which the tailor nearly ruined. She needed ear rings air lifted in for Thursday night. She was tired from her medical conditions. And she could tell already the chemistry was not good with the judges. They did not like dancers, it appeared. And certainly not girls with a little too much weight.

So the finale came and went. Heather was not chosen on of the seven finalists, although she did win for best interview of a non-finalist. When the pageant was over, and the 17 year old first timer was crowned Miss Nebraska, there were the predictable reactions. Some girls cried. Some girls were angry. Many supporters were angry. What were the judges thinking? How could they leave the local girl out of the runners-up. The curtain closed and the drama began.

When we found Heather at the Quality Inn for the awards ceremony, she was concerned. A young girl, one she had mentored, had given up her own birthday party to travel to North Platte to see Heather, and Heather had not made the final seven. While other girls circled around their supporters to lament the injustices of the world, Heather was busy looking for this little girl. She wanted to make sure she saw her. Thank her for coming. She had bought a birthday card for her.

Now that is MY Miss Nebraska.