NORFOLK, Neb. – Three Northeast Community College students represented the college in the Miss Nebraska Volunteer Pageant held recently in the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk.
Miss Nebraska Volunteer and Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer is a statewide, service-oriented scholarship program based in Norfolk that seeks to empower young women across the state through educational scholarships and extraordinary opportunities.
The event featured nine contestants - six in the Miss Nebraska Volunteer competition and three in Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer. They must be between the ages of 17-25 for Miss Nebraska Volunteer and 13-17 for Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer. Forty percent of each competition is based on interviews with the contestants that is based on their volunteer work. The remainder of the event focused on talent, evening gown and fitness and wellness.
Students representing Northeast Community College in the Miss Nebraska Volunteer pageant included Sydnei Kemper, of Genoa, a pre-med major and a member of the Northeast Dance Team and Phi Theta Kappa; America Rodriguez, of Columbus, a behavioral science major and member of the Student Activities Council; and Bridget Rupprecht, of Clarkson, pre-professional medicine major, and a member of the Northeast Dance Team, Student Activities Council, Phi Theta Kappa and Hawks Catholic.
Aubrey Grasz, of Elkhorn, was crowned Miss Nebraska Volunteer. She receives a $4,000 scholarship to the school of her choice and a two-year and a full scholarship to Northeast Community College, among other prizes. All contestants receive a one-year scholarship to Northeast Community College, which may be used for online classes.
Carleigh Tietz, of Norfolk, a student at Lutheran High Northeast, was named Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer. She and Grasz will now move on to national competitions in their respective competitions.
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PHOTO IDs: Bridget Rupprecht (left), Sydnei Kemper and America Rodriguez.