Kimball County youth to compete in state pageant

Kaitlyn Cole, 7, of Dix was recently selected as a state finalist in the National American Miss Nebraska pageant.

Cole, daughter of Heather and Donny Cole, will travel with her family to Omaha to compete on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 in the 7 to 9-year-old age bracket.

She will compete for a chance to be crowned the new Miss Jr. Pre-teen Nebraska. The title comes with a $1,000 cash prize, the official crown and banner, roses, and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California.

Cole competes in categories such as personal introduction, interview and community service project, formal wear modeling and talent.

The focus of the organization, according to a recent press release, is to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality.

The program is based on poise, presentation and inner beauty and emphasis is placed on building self-confidence and learning new skills, as well as maintaining a good attitude about competition and setting and achieving personal goals.

To that end, Donny said that in his daughter's age bracket the youngsters appear on stage sans make-up, authenticity is a must, and that contestants will be docked points for misbehavior outside of competitions as well.

Cole also participates in 4-H and attends cheer camps and she enjoys playing with friends, riding her bike, reading and drawing.

The family raised more than $250 to attend the state contest at Kimball's Main Street Market and Sonny's Super Foods in Sidney last weekend and Cole has many sponsors in Kimball and Cheyenne counties.