Seward 4th of July Day Parade

July 4, 2009-The 141st Annual Seward 4th of July Day parade has such a rich history that it has been named the Independence Day Capitol for the State of Nebraska!  Upwards of 40,000 people attend the event every 4th!  What a fun tradition to be a part of.  Pictured (l-r): Miss Nebraska Pinto (Cassie Sell), myself, and Miss Hastings (Jessica Brock)
My family at the Governor's reception right before the big parade with Governor Dave Heineman. Pictured (l-r): Gregg, Harrison, Governor Heineman, Jennifer, Hayden, and Hudson
All the royalty and dignitaries together for a photo opportunity!
My kids were so excited to ride in the convertible and throw out candy to the other kids! Pictured (l-r): Harrison, myself, Hayden, and Hudson
My parents, Karen and Gary, made the trip to Seward to support me and celebrate July 4th with us!
My Little Miss America in training!:) 

Bennington Daze Parade

June 20, 2009-My family (l-r: Hayden, Hudson, Harrison, and Gregg) and I next to the "Prowler", getting ready for the Bennington Daze Parade!  My first summer parade as Mrs. Nebraska.  We had so much fun being a part of the Bennington tradition!
My little princess, Hayden and I right before the parade started with our choefer (my husband, Gregg) taking our picture!

Miss Columbus

June 13, 2009-Congratulations to Heather Loseke on being crowned Miss Columbus 2009! Heather coordinated everything behind the scenes at Mrs. Nebraska to make things run smoothly and helped in any way possible during all those stressful times backstage! She has an amazing heart and will do a fabulous job as Miss Columbus!!
Heather Loseke, Miss Columbus 2009 and myself
Sharon Saltero (Mrs. Nebraska 2005/Mrs. Nebraska Co-Director), with Heather Loeske, Miss Columbus 2009
Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), Mindy Ann Schreiber (1st runner-up), Sharon Saltero (Mrs. Nebraska 2005/Mrs. Nebraska Co-Director)
Ashley Douglas competed in Miss Nebraska June 6th and did an amazing job!  She came back to Coulumbus to support her hometown pageant! Pictured (l-r) Sharon Saltero (Mrs. Nebraska 2005/Mrs. Nebraska Co-Director), Ashley Douglass (Miss Heartland 2009), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009)

Miss Nebraska 2009

June 6, 2009-Gretchen Berquist giving up her crown to the new Miss Nebraska Brittany Jeffers. Congratulations to Brittany for winning the title! She was absolutely beautiful and sure to do well at the Miss America competition next January!
Pictured l-r: Elicia Dover (4th runner-up), Alexis Geist (2nd runner-up), Brittany Jeffers (Miss Nebraska 2009), Devin Howell (1st runner-up), Jennifer Curtis (3rd runner-up, not pictured)
Miss Nebraska was a great way for some of 2009 Mrs. Nebraska contestants to get together and have some fun! Pictured: Jennifer Bradley (Co-Director/Mrs. Nebraska 2006), Mindy Kucks (Mrs. Heartland), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), Daphne Tidyman (Mrs. Southwest Nebraska), and Andrea Stine (Marketing Director/Mrs. Nebraska 2008)
Marney Duckworth (Mrs. America 2007) came back to her home state for the event! 
Jordan Somer who won 1st runner up Miss Outstanding Teen on Friday night, Congratulations on doing so well!
Here I am with Krista Knicely-Anderson (Miss Nebraska 2002), who emceed the Miss Nebraska event with her father John Knicely (WOWT news Anchor).  It was so nice to see a father-daughter hosting together!
I was so excited to see Jessica Reisig, Miss Scottsbluff County, a family friend and from my home town of Scottsbluff!  She looked beautiful and did a fantastic job for her 1st year in the Miss Nebraska pageant! Pictured l-r: Jessica Reisig, Michele Strom (Mrs. Nebraska 2007), Andrea Stine (Mrs. Nebraska 2008), and Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009)

Taste of Omaha

June 5, 2009-We don't get many Top 10 summer evenings in Omaha and at the 12th Annual "Taste of Omaha" the weather was perfect! I had such a great time introducing Omaha's Finest Rythem and Blues Band, "Shur Thing" who had a big fan following! They played a great variation of music that you know all the words too!:) Check them out at www.shurthing.net 
Mike Mancuso (pictured) is the brains behind this 12 year event! He has done an amazing job over the years and the food vendors just keep getting better!  My husband and I tried a little bit of everything!
My husband Gregg barely made it back in time for my stage appearence, hence the scrubs!  At least he made it!  We had a relaxing time listening to the band, eating good food, and enjoying the perfect weather! 

Ladies Appreciation Day

May 30, 2009-I was honored to attend the first annual "Ladies Appreciation Day" hosted by Vaughn and Associates, Inc.  This amazing event was intended to recognize and empower the women of Omaha for all they do within the community.  I had the chance to taste test 6 cakes, made by area bakeries, and award the winner bragging rights and a cash prize!  Congratulations to Big Mama's Kitchen! (Pictured: Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009 and Donna Vaughn) www.ladiesappreciationday.com

PS:  Obviously I am still learning the ropes of being Mrs. NE, at least "I" can read my title!! :)

Boystown Memorial Day Run

May 25, 2009-Part of the proceeds from the Mrs. Nebraska 2009 Silent Auction went to the Boystown National Research Hospital and Andrea (Mrs. Nebraska 2008) was able to present this check to Brooke Wittrock (Marketing Communications Manager for BTNH) during the Annual Memorial Day Run.  Just another way that the Mrs. Nebraska pageant gives back to our community!

Trumble Park Elementary

May 26, 2009-Today I was invited to Trumble Park Elementary School, by my niece Rayn, to speak to all 3 first grade classes about what it means to be Mrs. Nebraska and all the fun things I get to do during my reign as Mrs. Nebraska!
These first graders had LOTS of great questions!  "What does the guy your married to do for a job?", "Is there a Mr. Nebraska?", "Do you have to wear Red all the time?","What do you do as Mrs. Nebraska?" I had such a great time at Trumble Park and I thank the teachers for letting me visit their class!

Mrs. Colorado Pageant

May 16, 2009-The five of us traveled to Denver this weekend to watch the Mrs. Colorado 2009 pageant.  This pageant has an amazing history that most states strive for.  There were 46 women competing for the title that was hosted at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver and I think all of us were nervous and anxious to see who would be the next Mrs. Colorado! Pictured (l-r) Jennifer Bradley (Mrs. Nebraska 2006/State Director), Nicole Panneton (Mrs. Douglas County), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), Andrea Stine (Mrs. Nebraska 2008/State Marketing Director), and Kristine Sewell (Mrs. Capitol City)
The beautiful and inspiring Mrs. Colorado 2008, Christina Sacha, taking her final walk.
Rita Case, Mrs. Jefferson County and Megan Yarberry, Mrs. Southern Colorado, await their destiny in the final moments of Mrs. Colorado! 
Megan Yarberry, the newly crowned Mrs. Colorado!  She was absolutely stunning and did an amazing job!  Look forward to seeing her at Mrs. America!
Nebraska State Director, Jennifer Bradley (Mrs. Nebraska 2006), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), and the new Nebraska State pageant Marketing Director, Andrea Stine (Mrs. Nebraska 2008)
My Director, Jennifer Bradley (Mrs. Nebraska 2006), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), and Marney Duckworth (Mrs. America 2007)
Nicole Panneton (Mrs. Douglas County), Kristine Sewell (Mrs. Capitol City), and Andrea Stine (Mrs. Nebraksa 2008)

Inaugural Luncheon

May 14, 2009-The Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce inaugural luncheon featured the Honorable Governor Dave Heineman as the keynote speaker.  The Governor spoke on many different topics including small business being a major part of our economic growth in Nebraska.  

Mother's Day Tea

May 8, 2009-I was so excited to attend the "Mother's Day Tea" at school with the kids! All 3 of them made some really cute gifts in class for me! My sister, Alison with her kids, Rayn and Ryder and my Auntie Nancy were also there to help celebrate Mother's Day!

The Bag Lady Social

May 7, 2009-The Annual "Bag Lady Social" hosted by former Mrs. Nebraska, Terri Krolikowski benefiting the American Cancer Society. Pictured: Nyla, Terri, Jennifer, and Robyn.
Mrs. Capitol City, Kristine Sewell,  joined in on the fun with her mother, Renee and won the bid on two bags!

Komen Donation

May 5, 2009-Today I made a donation to the Susan G. Komen Nebraska Affiliate, on behalf of the Mrs. Nebraska Pageant's silent auction proceeds.  Seventy-five percent of the money donated in Nebraska stays in Nebraska to help the women of our community and the other 25% is put directly into research to help find a cure! Pictured: Lynette Farhart (Executive Director) and myself

Mrs. Nebraska 2009

April 25, 2009-What an honor for me to be named the next Mrs. Nebraska! I am absolutely thrilled to take on the title and hope to do the state of Nebraska proud during my reign. My goal is to work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and educate women on the importance of early detection and help get us closer to finding a cure for Breast Cancer.
My parents and biggest fans, Gary and Karen Kamtz.
My brother Zac and my sister Alison, I love you guys so much, thank you for your love and support!
Gregg's family, Susan, Topper, Ashley and Emily. Thanks for making the long trip out to be here, it is so much appreciated!
My best friend, Camilla Bull. Thank you for always being there!
My wonderful Aunt, Nancy Chu. Thank you so much for always believing in me!
These little princess' are absolutely beautiful and it was so much fun getting the opportunity to take a picture with all of title winners!

What amazing and accomplished women-the Top 5 Mrs. Nebraska contestants.  Pictured (L-R): Mindy Kucks (4th runner-up), Kristine Sewell (2nd runner-up), Jennifer Hart (Mrs. Nebraska 2009), Nicole Panneton (1st runner-up), Viv Ewing (3rd runner-up)

Mrs. Nebraska 2009

Congratulations Mrs. Nebraska 2009, Jennifer Hart!!!!!! You are going to be an amazing representative for Nebraska!!!!!!

The Time of My Life

My Final Appearance as Mrs. Nebraska

April 21, 2009- It was a beautiful evening for a baseball game. Creighton and Nebraska fans gathered at Rosenblatt Stadium to cheer on their favorite team. Pictured with the Creighton Bluejay Mascot: Mindy Kucks(Mrs. Heartland), Andrea Stine(Mrs. Nebraska), and Kristine Sewell(Mrs. Capitol City).

Grant, Andrea, Ella, and Barron Stine.

UNO Women's Walk

April 18, 2009- This morning a couple of the Mrs. Nebraska contestants and I participated in the UNO Women's Walk, which benefits UNO women's athletics. Pictured:Denise Hausmann(Mrs. Central Nebraska), Denise's daughter Emily, and me.

Princess Birthday Party

April 18, 2009- Rhiannon got to have a Princess Party for her 8th birthday. The party was purchased from the AHA's heart ball auction. Pictured: Andrea Stine(Mrs. Nebraska), Tina Foehlinger(former Miss Nebraska), Rachel Foehlinger(Miss Nebraska Outstanding Teen), Devin Howell(Miss Douglas County), and Haley Herold(Miss Southwest)

Bride Wars!

April 4, 2009- It was a fashion filled day modeling in the Village Pointe and Bridal Show for the Omaha Women's Living Expo 2009 at the Qwest Center. Pictured: Mrs. Omaha, Jennifer Hart, and Mrs. Nebraska, Andrea Stine.