Sara Stehlik, Miss Nebraska Jr. Preteen has had a quite year...topping it off was placing 1st runner up at nationals!

My heart nearly stopped beating when I heard the magical words, your 2010 Miss Nebraska Jr. Pre-teen is…Sara Stehlik! Before I knew it I had a crown on my head, a sash over my shoulder and a bouquet of roses in my arms.

It has been a busy, exciting and rewarding year representing National American Miss. I participated in many community service programs.

I volunteered to help host an open house for the Child Advocacy Center. The Center was thrilled to receive our donated NAM books and bears. I also continued my work as founder of my school’s peer tutoring program. The “Homework Club” helps students reach their academic goals and serves over 40 students each week.

I had the opportunity to visit both the NAM Minnesota and Illinois pageants where I helped with registration, the production numbers, and judge the family look-a-like contest. It was wonderful to meeting all the girls and making new friendships.

Celebrating the Special Olympic torch running through my hometown of Nebraska City, was awesome and occasion I will always remember. Volunteering for the second year at the Miss Amazing pageant, a pageant for girls with disabilities was a tremendously rewarding experience.

I love volunteering and giving back to my community. Helping out as a "buddy" for the Miss Amazing pageant, a pageant for girls with disabilities, was awesome...and it was so exciting that "my buddy" won!! How exciting to both be Miss Nebraska's!

My sister queens and I had lots of bonding time. We visited the zoo, rode in many parades, met the governor, held a crown making craft booth for children and were guests at several local pageants. I even had an opportunity to meet, Miss America, Teresa Scanlan. Wow!

The National Pageant held in Anaheim, California was a spectacular event. My family and I enjoyed the boardwalk, beach and meeting “stars” in Hollywood (thanks to the wax museum). Our day at Disneyland was awesome and the Thanksgiving banquet was delicious.

Representing Nebraska at the National Pageant, among so many outstanding girls, was an honor! Placing 1st runner up was a dream!

I had so much fun at the crazy hair rehearsal and the 70’s party, but the best part was making so many new friends from all around the country! I was honored to place 3rd runner up in community service, but the most exciting moment was placing 1^st runner up among such an outstanding group of contestants.

Performing on a National Stage was so exciting!

In the future, I will continue service with my church and volunteering for the American Cancer Society and Lymphoma Research Foundation in honor of my mother’s 14-year remission.

The special times and experiences I have shared with my sister queens Kristin, Jordan, Hannah, Emma and Alyssa made this year one that will forever remain in my heart. You are all such great role models and I learned so much from each one of you.

I would like to thank my aunts, uncles and cousins for being there to cheer me on, my grandma Christine for my beautiful wardrobe, my brothers for being the best escorts ever, my dad for never complaining about the visa bills and my mom for believing in me and helping me achieve my dreams.

Breanne, Ryan, Ashley and all of my NAM family, thank you for making this year so special and helping me make unforgettable memories.

Ken and Lani Maples and the NAM organization, thank you for creating a place where I have been able to gain self-confidence and develop poise, stage presence, public speaking and interview skills. These are life long skills that I will carry with me always.

To all the Jr. Pre-teen contestants’, just being up on stage and giving it your best, already makes you winners. To my successor, the time goes fast, so make a masterpiece of it.

I feel blessed to have had so many wonderful opportunities given to me this year.

I am your 2010 Miss Nebraska Jr. Pre-teen,

Sara Stehlik