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20/07/2022
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By Ashley Gaughan Staff Writer Jul 20, 2022
Residents of Wisner who know Erdine Moeller, her close family and assorted relatives have something to be very proud of.
Steffany Lien, the grand-daughter of Erdine and daughter of the former Susan Moeller – now Susan Lien, both of Wisner – was tabbed as Miss Nebraska 2022.
Although Steffany, now 24-years-old, grew up in Lincoln, Neb, her adventurous spirit took her to the University of Louisville in Kentucky. But, the Nebraska native was certain she’d return to the Cornhusker state
“I knew I loved Nebraska and that it was always in my plan to come back,” Steffany said.
Now Lien is a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) attending law school.
Even though she’s just finished up her first year as a law student, Lien will already be taking a year off — but for a very good reason.
On June 11, 2022, after a week of competition among a number of young women across the state, Lien was crowned as Miss Nebraska.
Since being Miss Nebraska is a full-time job with duties ranging from speaking engagements, to fundraisers and performances at a number of events, her next year is dedicated solely to her new role.
“I’m thrilled to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way over the next year, connect with new people across the state and to see new areas of
Nebraska I haven’t seen before,” Lien said.
Pageants were always of interest
Lien was interested in Miss Nebraska pageant from a young age. A part of the pageant includes girls known as “little sisters” who get to be partnered with a Miss Nebraska candidate for the week of competition. Lien was a Miss Nebraska little sister about a decade ago.
The descendant of Wisnerites recalled that as a Little Sister, she got to learn a dance, do fun activities throughout the week. Overall, she said, it was “a great experience.” “I looked up to those inspirational women I saw competing on stage and at that point,” she said, “I knew I wanted to be part of this program.”
Competition week saw that dream fulfilled when Lien, holding the title of Miss Lincoln, underwent the requirements of the competition which included interview, talent, red carpet and social impact initiative.
She answered questions from a panel of judges about what she would do in her role as Miss Nebraska if she won, she twirled a baton in the talent portion, and for the red carpet, Lien dazzled in a black evening gown. In the always challenging social impact initiative, she shared about a cause she deeply believes in: “Developing Resilience Over Adversity.”
Lien speaks to teens and young adults at schools across the state. Together, she leads the students in taking a wellness quiz and then helps them find specific strategies to help combat adversity they experience in every day life.
Adversity, Lien said, comes in different forms for different young adults and her passion is helping them find ways to achieve wellness whether mentally, physically, emotionally or in other areas.
Liens hours of hard work and preparation for the competition paid off at the North Platte High School stage when she was crowned Miss Nebraska 2022.
Family ties are deep, important
Lien said she had friends and family that traveled to North Platte to cheer her on which “was really special to feel so supported throughout the whole week.”
She in turn, also got to be a mentor for not just one, but two Miss Nebraska “Little Sisters” during competition week in North Platte, which was an experience that came full circle for her.
“I truly feel like my Little Sisters became like family to me. I got to do a lot of activities with them throughout the week, which definitely a highlight of the week for me,” Lien said.
Currently, Lien is scheduling events for next few weeks and months of her reign. Nebraska Cornhusker fans will get a chance to see Lien’s baton twirling skills if they attend any Husker games this fall as she will be participating at most of the home games.
Her skills will be something to see as the new Miss Nebraska has been twirling baton since she was four years old and during her career, has competed in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Norway and has won six gold medals for Team USA.
The next exciting step for Lien, aside from her duties will be competing in the Miss America pageant held in Connecticut in December.
As Lien makes her way around the state fulfilling her Miss Nebraska duties, there’s one spot she’s hoping to make a trip to.
Even though she grew up in Lincoln, she’s had many fond memories visiting her grandma, Erdine Moeller, whose daughter is Susan (Moeller) Lien, in which she summed up some fun Wisner memories such as “walking to the pool and getting coffee with grandma.”
With a busy, yet fun-filled schedule ahead of her as Miss Nebraska, Lien looks forward to the opportunities ahead. She’ll resume her law studies at UNL after her Miss Nebraska role.
“I had dreams of representing Nebraska for a long time, but honestly, any one of the girls competing at state would have served as an amazing title holder,” Lien said. Lien noted at the point she was crowned, “I felt blessed with the opportunity and hope to make Nebraska proud.”
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