Pancakes, Rehearsals & Gondolas!

Viva Las Vegas!
Go..Go..Go Is the theme of the week and I have to tell you, the schedule and the appearances are pretty spectacular. I'm headed to bed shortly in order to maintain my energy for the action packed week but I wanted to include the highlights of the day!
Hope you enjoy!

I-HOP Children's Miracle Network Event

I found a fellow Husker and UNL alum at the breakfast! GO BIG RED
Posing in our aprons with Miss Tennessee Stephanie Whittler
Getting ready to flip!
It's all in the wrist!

Rehearsals! Learning walking patterns and production routines. Also, filming interviews with TLC

Learning walking patterns and dance routines
The lovely ladies of the MU group
Promotional Photos at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino
Posing outside of Planet Hollywood with Miss Katherine aka Miss Louisianna
Escalator ride with the gorgeous Miss Michigan
Dinner & Gondola Rides at the Venetian

I Can't Believe I'm Here!!!

I'm here safe and sound and so far, it is EVERYTHING I hoped and more! My grandfather and my Dad dropped me and all 5 of my bags off at the Denver airport this morning. I had a wonderful flight and arrived at the Planet Hollywood with all of bags in tow. My fabulous roomie Miss Massachusetts and I are settling in nicely, LOTS and LOTS clothes and shoes and accesories in this room! As soon as I checked in this morning I had swimsuit and production outfit fittings and interviews with TLC later in the afternoon. We capped off the day with an official welcome ceremony and informational meetings.
The plan is early to bed tonight because we have a full agenda tomorrow. I-hop pancake breakfast, rehearsals, interviews with the TLC and Gondola rides at the Venetian!
I'm having a blast and I'll continue to keep you updated... much love!!!
*Brittany

Ogallala Send-Off

She remembers when she first got her wings, And how she opened up that day she learned to sing Then the colors came, erased the black and white And her whole world changed when she realized...

Ogallala has a population that boasts a little more than 5,000 people. It's comfortable and busy. It's quiet but driven by hard working people. It's home. Today, I got to enjoy send off party round two right in the heart of the western part of the state, in Ogallala.
I didn't model any of my competition wardrobe or perform my talent, I just got to chat and laugh with the people that know me best. My neighbors and teachers came as well as children I used to babysit. It was awesome to be surrounded with so much support and positive energy. Thank you to Sally Haythorn and all of the volunteers who made the day so special.

She's a butterfly, pretty as the crimson sky
Nothing's ever gonna bring her down
And everywhere she goes,everybody knows she's so glad to be alive
She's a butterfly
like the purest light in a darkened world
so much hope inside such a lovely girl

You should see her fly, it's almost magical.
It makes you wanna cry, she's so beautiful

God bless the butterfly,
give her the strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground
God bless the butterfly,
give her strength to fly
Never let her wings touch the ground

Energy and the Future

In relation with Miss America's "Go Green Initiative" I thought I would share with the blog my experience with renewable energy and the future. As an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln I was able to work extensively with a core panel of students, researchers, professors and renewable energy professionals to create a documentary film on the various sources of renewable energy in Nebraska. 

Wind. Solar. Nuclear. Biodiesel. Ethanol. 

Click here for the video

MORE INFORMATION or click HERE

Students with the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications traveled across the state of Nebraska and visited with congressional representatives in Washington D.C. to research and produce a video documentary about alternative energy. Interviews were completed with Governor Dave Heineman, Senator Chuck Hagel, Senator Ben Nelson, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Congressman Adrian Smith, Congressman Lee Terry, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and many others.

The project artners also convened two discussion groups about alternative energy featuring UNL students and a variety of experts. On March 13, 2008, the project partners convened a nuclear energy discussion featuring Alan Dostal, Corporate Nuclear Business Manager of Nebraska Public Power District, and Professor Jerry Hudgins, University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Engineering. On April 17, 2008, a discussion on ethanol was convened featuring Dan Owens, Rural Organizer with the Center for Rural Affairs, and Todd Sneller, Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. Both discussions were taped and moderated by UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications students, and aired on 5 CITY-TV.

Links, Links, Links

BeautyAndTheBling.com will provide one lucky Miss America contestant with a $500.00 European Fine Jewelry Bracelet. The winning contestant will have the opportunity to design a custom bracelet by choosing her own charms, beads & bracelet. AMERICA will decide which contestant wins. All it takes is your vote! Simply choose your favorite contestant below!
Click here to vote.

The Green Is Gorgeous eco-contest is dedicated to harnessing the power of the long-standing Miss America Pageant and the pioneering forefront of emerging social media to promote sustainable lifestyles... and we believe through INTERACTIVE positive role modeling, the Miss America Contestants can inspire consumers to live consciously and awaken to the cleaner energies which we all channel, and realize the interconnectedness and oneness that we are.
Click here to vote.



Address for Miss America Cards etc. (They ask please no flowers!)
Brittany Jeffers, Miss Nebraska c/o Planet Hollywood 3667 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV 89109

North Platte Telegraph 1
North Platte Telegraph 2

Peace. Love. Joy.....Positive Energy

So you know the feeling that comes over your body right before you get out of bed? Not the groggy/lucid/I need coffee feeling, the other one. The calm feeling of being aware of your surroundings and in tune with all of the sensations around you. The peaceful feeling you are held in right before the daily grind hits you. Got it? Okay good, now take that peaceful feeling and multiple it times 100. That's what is radiating through my body.
From the tip of my toes to the crown on my head, I have such an incredible comfort and ease in myself as the countdown to Las Vegas draws near. Maybe I've been taking too many yoga classes, or maybe I have an incredible support system. I choose the later.
In a word, my Send-Off in North Platte was magical. Did I love modeling my wardrobe and performing my talent and answering mock interview questions? Yes. But the magic from the event came from the energy and excitement in the air. I may be getting a little deep, but I can honestly say that standing in the banquet room amongst friends, family, sponsors and supporters I literally felt enveloped in love and belief. Its one thing to be innately proud and confident in your abilities but quite another to be surrounded by people who also believe you could be Miss America. I'm so incredibly humbled and grateful for everyone who has helped me get to this point. My Miss Nebraska judges advice to me was to enter the Miss America Pageant the same way I did state; totally relaxed, enthusiastic and present. Check. Check. Check.

THANK YOU to all of the incredible people in the Nebraska contingent who have allowed me to step into this dream completely unencumbered and ready to rock the Vegas stage! I'm ready for whatever is in the plan for me. Sorry, no photos of the wardrobe. I guess you'll just have to come to Las Vegas to see it on the stage!

On another note, in the midst of preparing I have chatted with several of my Miss America sisters on the phone and they share the same excitement I do. Like me they are also concerned about how many suitcases the airline will let them ship but that's beside the point...I can't wait to reunite with them! Time of our lives here we come!
These past few weeks I have been busy dancing, working on my fitness, reporting a little, driving ridiculous amounts. On the agenda this week I will be doing final alterations and fittings on my gown and swimsuit and will be talking with Governor Heineman and Senator Ben Nelson about a little thing called health care reform and other pertinent Nebraska Issues. I'll round off the week with Send-Off Party round 2. If you are able to attend it will be the 17th at WestWinds Golf Course in Ogallala from 2-4 pm. Hope to see you there!

I'll continue to keep you updated as the countdown continues. I've received many emails/texts/calls (ahh technology!) about voting details and other odds and ends pertaining to Miss America. I'm making an information page on the blog to help keep up with all of the new updates.

Finally, you can't end a blog entry without an inspirational jam! Here is a link to a song I watched former Miss Nebraska, Krista Knicely Anderson, perform to a few years ago. It's still one of my favorites. Enjoy!
*Brittany*

Send-Off Party

WHATS ZEBRA PRINTED AND PINK ALL OVER?!?!?!

My Miss America Send-Off Party!

Please join me for my first Send Off Party! I will model my competition wardrobe and other outfits I will be taking to Las Vegas as well as perform my talent piece! Hope to see you there.

WHERE: Quality Inn and Suites in North Platte, NE

WHEN: Saturday January 9th at 2 pm.

WHAT: Coffee and cake will be served. $7 admission. Miss America Send Off Party