Miss Nebraska returns to Girls State

Story by Sophie Tonjes

This is a small world after all, Miss Nebraska, Megan Swanson, is a Girls State Alumna. Swanson was a part of floor five’s city named Jackson. She was originally from Omaha and attended Millard North High School. During Swanson’s time at Girls State she ran for Lieutenant Governor. After finishing high school, Swanson wanted out of Nebraska. As she made the move to start a new life, Swanson faced new problems.

Megan Swanson attended Belmont University in Tennessee to pursue her dreams in the music field. Swanson’s dreams were coming true and it was what she wanted, but she still was not entirely happy with her life. Swanson said she would look in the mirror and was never satisfied with what she saw. As Swanson graduated college she further researched problems she faced in her life. After much research she discovered that she had Binge Eating Disorder. She knew the problem was an internal problem that she needed to fix before she got better.

Swanson wanted to cure her disorder, but she just was not sure how to do so. After thinking about an aid and doing a lot of research, Swanson decided she would compete in the Miss Nebraska competition in 2014. “I wanted this more than anything in my life,” said Swanson.

Swanson also used the goals she wrote down to keep herself motivated every day. Swanson said, “Even if I’m at a zero, what can I do every day to make it a plus one.”

When talking about the Miss Nebraska competition, she explained that she did not compare herself to the other competitors and kept thinking that she was a winner in her own mind.  Swanson told the audience, “Do not be afraid to try even if you fail.”

She stepped on the stage at the Miss Nebraska completion knowing that life goes on after high school and college.“Your past never had to define your future,” Swanson said.

Swanson definitely lived by this mantra. She continued on her journey to win Miss Nebraska, competed in the Miss America pageant, began producing her own song album that releases in July 2015 and is writing her first devotional book.

Megan was a very inspirational speaker for the citizens at Girls State. Many citizens thought that they gained motivation from Swanson and found the talk she gave inspirational. Some citizens asked Swanson personal questions one on one after the assembly to get a personal answer that related to their lives.