Evening with Miss Nebraska

This evening, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Siarra and Selena, the two girls who won the "Evening with Miss Nebraska" raffle that has been going on the past couple of weeks. Many thanks to Special Touch and The Emporium, both of Scottsbluff, for donating their services to make this night special. We got their hair done in beautiful up-do's, had a fancy dinner, and took lots of pictures. I also gave them my ANAD "Accept Yourself...Accept Others" bracelets to match the one I always wear and they even got to try on some of my crowns! We had so much fun and I found out that Siarra wants to start competing in pageants when she is old enough and hopes to one day become Miss Nebraska, and Selena has been competing in Cinco De Mayo pageants for several years, and plans on continuing. Both of these girls are wonderful, and will go far with whatever they do!

Nebraska's Outstanding Teen send-off

On the 15th, two of my sisters and I took a road-trip to Omaha and attended Nebraska's Outstanding Teen, Staci Craighead's send-off party for Miss America's Outstanding Teen! We had a lot of fun and I know she will do an outstanding job at the pageant next week; I can't wait to see it. We stayed in Omaha/Lincoln for the next couple of days, and I had the opportunity to go shopping, do some talent work with Vicki Train-Harris, have a mock interview, and start looking for Miss America wardrobe. As the competition nears, I'm getting more and more excited for this experience of a lifetime!

Scottsbluff County Fair and...attacked by a bull?!

Tuesday was the start of this exciting week, as I took part in "National Night Out" in Scottsbluff. It was a little rainy at first, but there was still a great turnout and I got to meet a lot of excited kids!

Wednesday was the Rubber Check race at the fairgrounds. The Fair Queens and I had a great time, as we were introduced in the arena and then got to watch the race.


On Thursday, the Mud Bog was held at the fairgrounds, and I got to be introduced in a huge monster truck. The Fair Queens and I also got to hold out the money for the "Dash for Cash"- the guys got to run through the mud bog to reach the money on the other end. There was a lot of flying mud that night!

On Friday, I helped out at the United Way booth selling ducks for their annual Rubber Duck Dash. Sales are going great for this fun event, and they're giving away a really cool 2010 Camaro! As one of the largest fundraisers we hold, this race does a lot for United Way and is one of the most fun parts of serving on the Special Events Committee.

Later that evening, the Fair Queens and I went to the Bull Riding to be introduced and watch the competition. We walked out into the arena and began being introduced. Our Miss Scottsbluff County, Jessica Littlejohn, was standing to my right, and I was going to be the last to be introduced. The picture below was taken at this time. Then, as she stepped forward and began waving, we suddenly heard screaming, and before I even had time to look around, I saw her flying through the air in front on me, being thrown by the head of a huge bull. I watched until she finally landed on the ground, unconscious, before I realized what was going on - a bull had kicked one of the chutes open and had charged her before anyone could stop it. Somehow, as I don't remember how, I got out the gate behind me as the bull fighters and EMTs rushed in to help her. I felt my crown get ripped off my head as we pushed past eachother, but there was no way I was going to turn around to get it! Someone picked it up and got it back to me as we watched her get moved onto a stretcher and rushed to the ER. The girls and I went to the hospital to see her, and found she had a concussion, but no broken bones or other complications. She spent the night at Regional West Medical Center, and was released Saturday afternoon. We are all so very lucky she was not seriously hurt, and the rest of us were completely unharmed. It could have been much, much worse. We later found out that the bull that had thrown her was the only one there without horns. God was certainly protecting us that night!


Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to ride in the Fair Parade in Mitchell. It was a nice hot day, and a lot of fun! That afternoon I helped out at the United Way booth again, and then attended the annual Weiner Dog Races. It was so much fun and I handed out prizes and took pictures with the winning dogs.


The Trailer Choir concert finished off fair week with lots of energy and excitement! We got to meet the band and were introduced on stage, and we even came up and danced with them for one of their songs! Jessica was back with us that evening too, so we were all relieved and happy to be together again. The whole week was so much fun and definitely reminded everyone to be thankful for everything and never take a thing for granted.



With Much Gratitude,
Teresa

First local of the year!

Congratulations to the new Scottsbluff County Fair titleholders! Jessica Littlejohn was crowned Miss Scottsbluff County 2010 and will be competing at Miss Nebraska 2011, and Sara Richter was crowned Teen Scottsbluff County 2010 and will be competing at Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2011! First runner-up in Miss was Kaylee Snyder, with Holly Huston being named second runner-up, while first runner-up in Teen went to Allie Boggs and second runner-up went to Kate Duncan. All of the girls did a fantastic job and our new titleholders will be terrific!

July's Events

Can you believe it's already the last day of July? I sure can't! So much has been going on, I thought I'd share a little bit.

I got my official photo shoot taken and picked out my headshot for the Miss America program book! (on right)

On July 2nd, I went to Imperial, Nebraska for their city's 125th anniversary celebration. I sang the National Anthem, spoke, played my piano piece, signed autographs and took pictures, and got to chat with the friendly people of Imperial. It was a great time!

I am back on the United Way Special Events Committee (I was previously on it a couple years ago) and we are working on the upcoming Rubber Duck Race in Scottsbluff. Make sure you buy your rubber ducks to get in the race to win a new car!

I started Facebook pages for both my title this year- "Teresa Scanlan: Miss Nebraska 2010," and my platform- "Eating Disorders: A Generation at Risk." If you are on Facebook, please add these pages for information and updates! The links are located at the top of my blog page.

On the 17th I was in the Oregon Trail Days parade in Gering. It was a blast and great weather!



The 20th was a performance at the Steel Grill in Gering with my sisters, Sarah and Christine. We sang some patriotic songs for the Scottsbluff County Board of Realtors.


On the 22nd I had the chance to go to Denver to meet with Don Baker, a nationally renowned interview coach. He gave a lot of great advice, and I also got to do some shopping while in Denver!

The 24th was filled with working on a house in Scottsbluff for Habitat for Humanity. My church had quite a few people there and we got a lot done; I can't wait to see the house makes its way to completion soon!

That evening I had a great time at a "Princess for a Day" event in Scottsbluff for 3rd-6th grade girls. The girls had so much fun dressing up, taking pictures, eating fancy snacks, singing, and even having a parade around the block as we practiced our "wave!"

This last week of July has been busy every day, as I have been helping with Theatre West's Theatre Opportunity for Youth (TOFY) camp at the Harms Center in Scottsbluff. I led acting and games each day for groups of Kindergarden through 5th graders who learned all about singing, dancing, and acting throughout the week, incorporated into a "Seussical the Musical" theme. We had our parent showcase this morning and it went great!


This past week has also been the rehearsal week for the Scottsbluff County Fair Pageant- the first preliminary this year for Miss Nebraska 2011! The competition will be held tonight at the Midwest Theater in Scottsbluff, so stay tuned for the new winners this year! I won this competition last year, and have been involved for several years- it is always such a well-run program and a great experience! Speaking of which, I better go to the theater now; the pageant starts in a couple of hours! Have a great weekend!

All My Love,
Teresa Scanlan

Eating Disorders: A Generation at Risk

I thought I'd share my platform statement in order to explain my platform and why I wish to become Miss America to further this effort. As this is only a very brief overview, I will be sharing much more information soon. If you are on facebook and have not done so already, please visit my newly-launched page "Eating Disorders: A Generation at Risk" and join the fight against eating disorders!

Eating Disorders: A Generation at Risk

Both a physical and mental disease, eating disorders affect every age, gender, race, and social class; and infiltrate the health of the mind, the body, and the soul. In the past two decades, America has seen the unprecedented growth of eating disorders in children and adults alike, as societal pressures to be thin continue to proliferate. Consider these statistics:

• 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner
• 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat
• Over one-half of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives
• In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia while millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder
• The mortality rate associated with eating disorders is higher than any other mental illness

With the stakes so high, it is imperative that we face this widespread problem and educate children and adults alike as to the risks and dangers of eating disorders, as well as the importance of developing a proper body image. All people need to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of eating disorders to help themselves or loved ones; they also need information on treatment and recovery options in order to understand there is always hope for those struggling with these disorders.

By helping adolescents define themselves based on their own talents and inner beauty rather than perceived standards of perfection, we can begin to combat some of the emotional triggers of eating disorders. We all have the right and responsibility to accept ourselves and others by defining beauty on our own terms and loving and respecting our bodies. Achieving this peace can be accomplished through professional treatment and counseling; it is real, it is beautiful, and it is possible for each and every person suffering from an eating disorder.

The title of Miss America, combined with the help of support organizations nationwide, such as the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders and the National Eating Disorders Association, can make a huge difference in the lives of those who struggle with eating disorders and a distorted body image. This nation needs to address this issue, and the Miss America organization can be a fundamental tool in the effort, planting the seed for the change that must occur. When this happens, the lives of over 10 million people nationwide can be changed as despair and inadequacy is replaced with confidence and hope in a brighter future.

July's Monthly Tidbits

JULY

If You Do One Thing This Month: If you are in your teens or younger, read the book "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris; if you are an adult, give a copy of the book to a young person in your life.

Favorite Activity of the Month: Biking and hiking the Scottsbluff National Monument. It is a two mile bike-ride to the Visitors' Center from my house, and then a mile and a half hike to the summit. I hiked it about four times a week in June - such a good walk, and a beautiful view at the top! I aim to do it many more times this summer!

Verse of the Month: I Timothy 4:12 - My motto verse for this year

Concept of the Month: Age is just a number; maturity and intelligence are really the only things that differentiate one age from another.

I began competing in pageants at 13 yrs old, following in my older sister's footsteps by competing in and winning the Scottsbluff County Fair Teen title. I loved it so much, I was instantly hooked. For the next four years I continued competing in Nebraska's Outstanding Teen system, and loved every minute of it. When I turned 17 this past February, I couldn't wait to begin competing in the Miss division! I entered the Saline County Scholarship Program and won the title of Miss Southeast the next weekend. (When I say I couldn't wait, I literally couldn't wait longer than a week!) Up to that point, I had never even thought twice about my age; I was within the age requirements, so it was no big deal. Throughout my life I had never let my lack of years on the earth hold me back in anything, and taking my example from many other successful young people, I found that each person has the capacity to do all that they strive to do; the number of years they have been alive has no bearing on this at all.

As I prepared for Miss Nebraska, however, I began to realize that not everyone viewed age as I always had. Most compliments I heard during the week were accompanied by some variation of "You're doing so well for your age!" While not at all an unwelcomed compliment, this was the beginning of my realization that for some reason, my age was a big deal. After winning the title of Miss Nebraska, this suddenly became the main talking point of every media outlet, and the focal point of each person acquainted with my background. Although at first I vigorously opposed my age being an important point of discussion, it didn't take long to learn that I couldn't disconnect myself from my "trademark:" being the youngest Miss Nebraska ever. At first I reluctantly submitted myself to this fate, but as teenagers began to thank me for inspiration and adults encouraged me for showing just what youth were capable of, I realized what a great tool this could be for me. On an elevated platform such as my title, I have the unique opportunity to utilize this automatic "spotlight."

I quickly decided to make the most of my fabulous situation and determined to spread hope and inspiration to all "youth-doubters." I have always been a resolute "teenitarian," (one who believes in the power of teenagers) so I will take this year, as well as the rest of my life, to encourage those who are falling to passiveness when it comes to the behavior of America's youth today. As a nation, we simply cannot settle for the moral corruption, degraded standards, and low expectations of my generation. Rebelliousness, entitlement, and just plain laziness seem to be proliferating in our youth, and instead of responding, many older generations are being permeated with complacency. "Kids will be kids" and "Sow your wild oats while you can" are mottos heard all too often. These were never acceptable excuses in my family, and I continue to fight against the acceptance of these attitudes toward children and teenagers. As strong, energetic, and capable people, we should be in our best years throughout the teens! There is so much opportunity within our reach; why not reach out and take it? Still at the age that most consider "young," I strive to learn all I can, experience everything possible, and work hard to begin fulfilling my dreams NOW, not "when I grow up." This way, those a few years older than me will not have anything on me when it comes to experiences, knowledge, or capabilities. Today is the day to try something new, to be a good example, and to do your best, no matter what your age.

I sincerely hope that I have, and will, successfully exemplify these ideas throughout my life. Carpe Diem, seize the day. Don't let anyone think less of you for your age, but no matter what, show that you are truly living your life to the fullest, therefore becoming an inspiration to others. When I arrived home after the pageant, I found I Timothy 4:12 taped under my school picture in our hallway - my mom always seems to know exactly how to put my mind in the right place.