Jessica Shultis crowned Miss Nebraska 2018

by KHGISunday, June 10th 2018

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — A Lincoln native came out on top at the 2018 Miss Nebraska Pageant in North Platte on Saturday.

Jessica Shultis has been crowned Miss Nebraska 2018 and will represent the state at the 2019 Miss America Pageant live on ABC in September. Miss Nebraska 2017 Allison Tietjen presented this year’s awards and honors to the new Miss Nebraska. Shultis, a 24-year old Doane University graduate student from Lincoln, will now travel the state for the next year promoting her platform Hoops For Hope. Shultis, a cancer survivor, uses her background as a collegiate basketball player to hold camps advocating for confidence and health, while also raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Shultis was also awarded a Preliminary Evening Wear Award and the Overall Interview Award (tie). In total, Shultis is awarded more than $10,600 in cash scholarships, in addition to use of a car for her year of service and an estimated $18,000 in gifts, wardrobe and services. Her parents are Wayne and Lauri Shultis of Dannebrog. Photos of Tietjen are attached; please credit Kamie Stephen Photography. .

Allison Baird, Miss Star City, was named 1st runner up at the competition, which concluded Saturday night in North Platte after a week of events. Baird also won the Overall Talent Award and a Preliminary Talent Award, for a total of $4500 in cash scholarships. Baird will step in to serve as the state’s official ambassador if Miss Nebraska is crowned Miss America or is otherwise unable to fulfill her duties. Baird is a 20-year old Doane University student from Gering. Her parents are Carl and Krista Baird of Gering.

Makinzie Gregory, Miss Old West Balloon Fest, was named 2nd runner up. Gregory, an 18-year old graduate of Gering High School, also won a Preliminary Talent Award and was a finalist for the Miss Nebraska Community Service Award, for a total of $3000 in cash scholarships. Her parents are Vince and Kristie Gregory of Scottsbluff.

Allie Swanson, Miss Omaha, was named 3rd runner up. Swanson, a 23-year old graduate of Evangel University, also won the Overall Interview Award (tie) and the Miss Nebraska Community Service Award, for a total of $2500 in cash scholarships. Her parents are Sean and Julie Swanson of Omaha.

Krista Hinrichs, Miss Douglas County, was named 4th runner up. Hinrichs, a 19-year old Midland University student, also won a Preliminary Evening Gown Award and was a finalist for the Miss Nebraska Community Award, for a total of $1600 in cash scholarships. Her parents are Sue Saxton of Lincoln and Cory Hinrichs of Lincoln.

Nikki-Catrina Anderson, Courtney Pelland and Hayden Richardson were also named Top 8 Finalists. Each was awarded $1,250 in cash scholarships. Anderson also received the 2nd Place Miss Nebraska Community Service Award, the Miss America Scholar Award, and the 2nd Place Miracle Maker Award, for a total of $3250 in cash scholarships. Richardson was also awarded the Miss America Community Service Award, for a total of $2250 in cash scholarships.

Brooke Lodl, Miss Heartland, received the Non-Finalist Interview Award and a $250 cash scholarship donated by Chris Tooley, for a total of $1250 in cash scholarships. Brianna Little, Miss Scotts Bluff County, received the Non-Finalist Talent Award and a $250 cash scholarship. Little was also a Miss Nebraska Community Service finalist, and received the 2018 Miracle Maker Award, for a total of $2000 in cash scholarships. Kodi Baumann, Miss Alliance, received the Kaelia Nelson Spirit Award and was voted Miss Congeniality by all contestants, receiving a total of $1700 in cash scholarships.

In total, the Miss Nebraska Organization awarded approximately $70,000 in cash scholarships, gifts and services to this year’s contestants, and offered more than $1.4 million in in-kind tuition scholarships.

http://nebraska.tv/news/local/jessica-shultis-crowned-miss-nebraska-2018