Graduation!!

Journalism friends.

It's hard to believe how fast the last 4 and a half years flew by. Before I knew it I was ordering my cap and gown and finishing up my last semester of undergrad. I remember so clearly preparing to move from Scotia to Lincoln to start my college career. It was a huge step but I felt at home at UNL right away.

My roomie and I bright and early graduation day morning!

UNL did not want me to leave without a bang, they made me work extremely hard my last semester! But that made graduation day that much more special. It reminded me of how hard I had worked throughout the four and a years to receive my bachelors degree. School has never came easy for me, I've always had to study hard and put in extra hours to ensure a good grade.

With my good friend and co worker Katie!

Graduation day was wonderful. My entire family came, along with one of my best friends Geneice Wilcher and my boyfriend and his mom. I was even able to spot them out of the enormous crowd that filled the Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln. I was lucky enough to have a great number of my friends graduating at the same time as me. This made the day even more special.

With my brother, his wife, mom and sister!

Graduation didn't last quite as long as I was expecting. Since UNL is an extremely large school, graduation has the reputation to last quite a long time. But it was done in about an hour and a half. I graduated with the college of education and human sciences. But as a textile and clothing design & journalism and mass communications major with an emphasis on advertising, I have a very close link to the journalism college that I will be joining full force to get my masters degree.

My boyfriend/best friend.

Speaking of getting my masters degree; I couldn't exactly relate with a majority of my classmates because I'm not done with school or the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. I start right away in the spring semester in January. I'll be a full time student for the next year and a half completing my masters degree. I'll be studying Marketing, Communication and Advertising to receive my MCA. I've thoroughly enjoyed studying journalism and advertising, but am excited to further explore marketing and communications studies. I'll continue to work at our school newspaper, the Daily Nebraskan, and focus on successfully finishing my large load of school work.

My great friend Geneice!

After graduation we headed out to eat at my favorite restaurant in Lincoln: Sho Gun! Sushi and yummy food prepared right in fun of us with my family made for a fun time! Thanks to my mom for taking us all out to eat!

My mentor, biggest supporter, greatest mom ever!

Well graduation day was spectacular! Thanks to my friends, family and other supporters for all of the encouragement over the years! I did it!!

Happy Holidays,

Belinda

Tis The Season

It's my favorite time of year! Minus the snow that is! I love the cheer in the air, the giving all around and the gathering of families. I love the hot chocolate and chai tea, the warm clothes with gloves and scarfs, and the racing inside from the cold weather. Another love is decorating for Christmas. This year I got my very own Christmas tree! I thoroughly enjoyed decorating it with browns and golds. There's something about having a Christmas tree all lit up that just puts you in an automatic good mood! The one thing I can't say I absolutly love about this time of year is finals week.

Although graduation is approaching in a couple weeks, December 18th to be exact, finals weeks has kept me busy with my nose stuck in a book at the library. I enjoy school, but can't say I enjoy the late nights of studying, stressing and preparing that the end of a semester brings. I'm a huge organizer so I've never had to pull all-nighters. But this year there was no getting around it. Five hour energies became my best friend. And I must say, they do work! I had to put them to the test a lot last week.

O'Neil Advertising agency with our professor Ruth Brown.

Celebrating after a successful campaign!

We had a huge presentation for my capstone advertising campaigns class and this required late nights rehearsing. And when I say late, I mean late. We rehearsed until 1:30AM Wednesday night. This was a huge presentation because we presented in front of UNL faculty and the actual client that we were pitching our campaign to. Luckily our hard work paid off and we ended up winning over the client! This was a huge accomplishment. It was a whole semester packed with work, but the group I was working with made it a lot of fun.

I'd love to say the studying will end soon, but unfortunately it will not. I have one more week to go, and then in January I start graduate school. Other than school consuming my life, I had a great sushi date with Geneice Wilcher, Miss Nebraska 2007, and Haley Herold, Miss Nebraska 2011. Haley is on the road to success! She is so down to earth, and not to mention motivated! She has a great chance to do amazing things at Miss USA this year. I am so excited to help her in any way that I can and most of all to watch her compete! P.S. Her walk is fierce on stage! Miss USA class of 2011 better watch out!

Geneice and I.

By the way, have I mentioned how much my puppy Harley loves the bathtub!?! He has a slight obsession to say the least. He is in and out of the bathtub daily. Last week when I was taking a shower, he thought it would be a good idea to jump in with me! And what do you know? He's in the shower with me and I can't get him out. So, I finished up and he proceeded to hang out in there for awhile. I finally decided to fill the tub up with water and see if this would satisfy his needs. And it did, for an hour and a half in fact. He played in the tub like a little kid does with their toys. Complete craziness. I feel I have a dog with OCD, my mom suggested looking into a dog psychiatrist, I might have to do this! haha!

There will be much more to come, but I better hit the books!

Lots of love,

Belinda

Life After The Crown

A photo I took this fall.

It’s been close to a month since I’ve passed the crown to the new Miss Nebraska, and I must say it has been one crazy busy month! Graduation is approaching and I’ve not only been figuring out life after the crown, but also life after graduation!

My boyfriend Michael and I.

On December 18^th I will be graduating from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln with a bachelors in Education and Human Sciences majoring in clothing and textile design/ journalism and mass communications with an emphasis on advertising. Interesting fun fact: I was informed that I have the longest major name on campus!

Pumpkin Night.

My puppy Harley and I.

I’ve been pulled in many directions and picking a road to travel down has not been easy. I have a complex array of interests and aspirations. But I finally decided the best way to start, is by committing to my platform when I was Miss Nebraska and focus on the Importance of Education. Last week I was accepted into graduate school at UNL and will start this spring. This was great news, because I had spent long hours studying for the entrance exam (GRE) and had worked hard in my undergraduate career to have this opportunity. In graduate school I will be getting my masters in Marketing, Communications and Advertising, aka a MCA. I should finish in May 2012 and will then start my post education career in the fashion/entertainment industry! Feel free to check out my online portfolio here: http://belindawright.blogspot.com/

My sister and I in Chicago.

Other than staying extremely busy with school, I have been getting maximum quality time with my friends and family. It's Husker season so I spend a lot of my Saturdays cheering on the Huskers in our last season in the Big 12. My sister and I took a trip to Chicago to check out possible careers. I was asked to come to Ford and Elite models. While there, I was told I was an inch too short for industry standards despite them loving my look and other measurements. This was a bit of a let down, but with failure comes opportunity. I decided it was a sign for me to veer my focus in another light. Since I am a clothing and textile design major I am eager to work behind the scenes or even pursue on camera work. We stayed in Chicago for 3 days and were able to look at a school with a masters program I was considering, looked at some businesses, and also enjoyed time on Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier! It was a great 3-day trip!

Some of my best friends have came from pageants.

Lots of ideas have been running though my mind of things I would also like to pursue. I am in the works of starting an image consulting company and also would like to further explore photography. I love the West Coast and Chicago, so hopefully I will be in one of those areas in a year and a half. I am still actively involved in the community and look forward to inspiring others to "make a difference."

I still miss my dad every day, and I can't say I agree with the saying that "time heals all." With the holidays approaching, times will be tough. I cherish all of the time I get to spend with my family and love them dearly. On a brighter note, my brother and his wife are pregnant with their first baby! I'm so excited to be an aunt and pray for a healthy baby!

My beautiful family at a wedding!

For now, I am excited to continue to live "the good life" here in Nebraska! I don't think there's a better saying for this state! I'll be staying in touch and updating this blog monthly, stay tuned for more of my journey of "Life After the Crown."

Yours truly,

Belinda

Miss Nebraska USA 2011

Well the day has come....my last hours as the reigning Miss Nebraska USA. Although the time flew faster than I ever imagined, I'm excited for one of these ladies to experience an amazing year. Amanda and I got to sleep in today, and that was something I haven't got to do in a long time! After we woke up we recorded our voice overs for our farewells speeches.

With Fawnia, my hairstylist!

With the Miss girls before we hit the stage.

Squeezing in for a picture backstage.

We didn't have to be at the theatre until 3PM for dress rehersal so I signed good luck autograph cards to all of the girls. Then it was time to back up, and let me tell you that was not easy. You wouldn't believe how many things I needed to back for just one weekend! But I managed to get everything packed up, got semi ready and headed to the theatre for dress rehearsal.

Chit chatting on stage.

Former Miss Nebraskas.

Fawnia and Joe did Amanda and I's hair and make up. That was a huge relief! A misconception about a beauty queen may be that we like to do our hair and make up. Well, sometimes I do. But to be completely honest I'm a mascara, powder and blush kind of girl. My grandma always did my hair when I was younger since she was a hairstylist for 40+ years, so I've never really enjoyed doing my hair. Don't get me wrong, I love to get fancied up, but 3 days in a row is pushing it! So needless to say, Fawnia and Joe saved the day!

Presenting runner up awards.

The end of our farewell walk.

Finals night went well, but so fast! Before I knew it my farewell speech was playing and it was time for me to take my final walk. This was tough. I was overwhelmed with emotions, I still can not believe my year as Miss Nebraska was coming to an end! I only dropped a few tears, it wasn't a complete bawl session, so I was proud of that.

A great boyfriend!

My amazing grandma and mom.

Brad Hughes, the BEST emcee!

Then it was time to give out awards and announce the runner ups and winner! Before I knew it I was crowning Haley Herald, the new Miss Nebraska USA 2011. It couldn't have gone to a more deserving woman. Haley rocked the stage and excuded pure beauty and confidence. She is beautiful inside and out and I'm glad to call her my friend. Her and I competed against eachother at Miss Nebraska USA 2009, my very first pageant. We have been friends ever since. It couldn't have been a better experience than passing the crown to someone who I know truly deserves it.

I'm so excited to now help Haley with her year. She will do fantastic as Miss Nebraska USA 2011. Joining her reign is Madison Novak, a complete doll who will also do a great job.

Crowning moment.

The new Miss Nebraska and I.

Well, I have officially been initiated into the HSBQ club. That stands for "Has Been Beauty Queen." And I can't say I'm sad. I'm ready for a new goal, a new dream and more new experiences. It was has been an amazing year and I'm excited to continue in a different direction. Don't think you're getting rid of me yet, I'll still be blogging about my "Life After the Crown," and I'll still be representing the "Small town girl with big city dreams." Keep a look out and I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Vanbros titleholder picture!

All the best,

Miss Nebraska USA 2010

Belinda Wright

Miss NE Prelims

Today started with Amanda and I filming our farewell video. We went to UNL campus and walked around while doing still life modeling. I must say, we had a good time! We definetly took some fun shots and had a good time! Later we'll do our voice over and the videographer will put together the farewell video and play it finals night at Miss Nebraska USA.

Amanda and I took some photos while shooting our video.

While we were shooting our video, the girls started rehearsal at 7AM at the Rococo theatre. They went over the opening number dance, evening gown walk and swimsuit walk and the schedule of how the evening would go.

Amanda and I arrived at the theatre at 1PM and ate lunch with the girls. This was a good time to encourage the girls and keep them excited about the weekend. After eating we went over the opening number dance and Amanda and I stepped in and did our parts. Luckily we really lucked out this year and didn't have a difficult dance. Although I love dancing, it was nice to be able to only learn one 8 count!

The contestants rehearsing at the theater.

After rehearsing our parts with the girls we watched dress rehearsal and took notes on what how the girls performed on stage. I got a chance to talk one on one with each contestant and give them feed back about what I've learned about stage presence this year. I remember past titleholders doing this and it was a huge help and kept me confident as prelims approached.

Geneice and I at the Preliminary show.

With some of the contestants before the opening number dance.

Next it was dinner time and time to get ready. I was so glad that my hair stylist Fawnia from Rumors Hair Studio in Lincoln was able to come do our hair. And Joe, from Columbus came to do our make up. Although I've got a lot of practice doing both my hair and makeup this year, it was a relief to have them help us get ready for the big show!

At 7PM sharp the preliminary show began with opening number, swimsuit and evening gown competition. The girls did a great job! At the end of the show I handed out the Miss Congeniality, Spirit Award, Miss Photogenic, and mentor award to the Miss Nebraska USA contestants. They did a fantastic job and the night was a complete success!

With a teen contestant before her evening gown competition.

3 Generations!

My girlfriends Alysa and Cassi.

Thanks Joe for doing my makeup!

At the end of the night we had our meet and greet at the theater and I got to go mingle in the crowd and see my grandma and mom who traveled to watch the show. I also got to see some great friends. Then it was back to the hotel where Geneice and I pigged out on some pizza and talked all night! And before I knew it I was getting sleepy eyed and headed back to the hotel room to get one more night's rest as Miss Nebraska USA. Wow has this year flown by! I still can't believe it! I'm excited for the next girl to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Love,

Belinda Wright

MISS NEBRASKA USA