Allison Tietjen from Chester was crowned as Miss Nebraska as the 80th Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant culminated on Saturday night.
She will now represent her state at the Miss America competition 2018, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September10, 2017. The event will be broadcasted by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Miss America 2017 and Miss Arkansas 2016, Savvy Shields, will officially crown her successor at the finals of Miss America 2018.
Tietjen, who came into the pageant as Miss Heartland, wowed in front of judges in a full-length white gown with gemstones on Wednesday night, the first night of the pageant and on Thursday, she played “Phantom of the Opera” on piano in honor of her grandmother, with whom she shares the love of musicals.
Tietjen, of Chester, Nebraska, also earned high marks in volunteer service. She took home the pageant’s community service award and a $1,000 Miss America scholarship presented by Sam Haskell III, CEO and executive chairman of Miss America for the organization’s recognition of community service.
Tietjen raised thousands of dollars for veterans to take honor flights to war memorials in Washington, D.C., a service close to her platform, which was honoring the military.