From farm girl to pageant queen: Bioinformatics senior competes for Miss America crown

It was a warm Saturday evening in North Platte, Neb., and Ashley Bauer was stirring with emotions.
Every practice, every rehearsal and every moment - from singing to the radio with her father in the car before she could talk, to spending endless hours of singing lessons and performances - led her up to the final moment that she'd been waiting for.
The host began counting down from the top five, passing through each number as Bauer mentally prepared herself for the final call.
Only her and her competitor were left. At that moment, all eyes rested on them. The only thought that crossed her mind during the few minutes that seemed like a lifetime was that it was the moment of truth.
But before the next Miss Nebraska was announced, a feeling of calmness rested her nerves.
"The rest was a blur," said Bauer, a senior at UNO. "I just remember him calling my name and being so overcome by emotion, and then seeing my family. They were as excited as I was, and it was a victory for them as well because they have supported me and attended all of my pageants and events for the past four years. It was a night I will never forget."
Bauer grew up on a farm in Scottsbluff, Neb. She began taking singing lessons as a child while performing in church when she was 3 years old. She performed in every school production from the time she was in kindergarten.
"I was a normal kid. I had friends and was really involved in the community and in school," Bauer said. "Now, people who have known me my whole life are so excited for me and have been a huge support."
Receiving cards and well wishes from those who have been following her since her high school graduation is a blessing for Bauer. When her friend, a former Miss Nebraska competitor, encouraged her to compete, she knew it was her calling.
"I have been across the state already," Bauer said. "Everywhere from Chadron, Alliance and Scottsbluff, to Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus and all kinds of places in between."
Bauer, a bioinformatics major, had to take a year off from school to travel and prepare for the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, which will be aired on TLC on Jan. 26.
With many accomplishments under her wing, from Miss Douglas County 2007, Career Resource Center Student Assistant, and Teammates Spokesperson and Coordinator, she continues to hold a tight bond with her family and friends.
"I am able to juggle my relationships with family and friends by talking on the phone as I am driving," Bauer said. "I am also living out of my car this year, and I stay with family and friends wherever I may travel across the state."
Emily, one of Bauer's three sisters, is also a performer. Along with a talent in singing and dancing, she is also an athlete. The two sisters share a meaningful relationship and friendship.
"I am so proud of Emily, she has so many qualities that I admire," Ashley Bauer said. "She is very kind and is an extremely dedicated athlete. I only wish for her the best in the future. I am not sure if she will pursue the title of Miss Nebraska in the future, but whatever decision she makes, my family and I will fully support her."
Although performing has become a main staple in Bauer's life, she continues to handle the ups and downs of self-confidence and competing with other women.
"I love competing," Bauer said. "My favorite part of singing is the performance."
Despite this, Bauer said she still needs mental preparation before singing on stage.
"I have learned how to be very comfortable with my strengths and my weaknesses and not to compare myself with other girls competing," she said. "Of course, it is hard to always do this, but I try to focus on the things that make me unique and the strides I have made in my preparations."
Bauer has met some of her best friends while competing for Miss Nebraska and keeps in touch with them often. During her last three years of schooling, she was regularly preparing and competing for Miss Nebraska. Her life between homework and class was not exactly that of an average college student.
"Along with the duties of a college student," Bauer said, "I was volunteering with the Teammates Mentoring Program, which is my platform. I also traveled to other states to work with people who specialize in pageant preparation."
Although Bauer's life has been mixed with the average life of a college student and the hectic activities of Miss Nebraska, all of the experiences have led her to success. She's only had a few embarrassing moments along the way.
"I remember my very first year competing for a local title to get to Miss Nebraska," she said. "I was asked, 'Why are students apathetic towards community involvement?' It wasn't the hardest question that I received in my four years of competing, but I didn't know what the word apathetic meant, so I stumbled through the question."
With only one more year of school left at UNO, Bauer has some plans for her future. She hopes to attend medical school, although she is unsure of what area to specialize in.
Whatever road she crosses, she will carry a piece of every experience that has led her to where she is today.
"I am very grateful for my western Nebraska roots," Bauer said. "My dad once taped him and me singing to the radio so that he could prove that I sang before I could talk. I have always loved music. I love interacting with my audience and sharing a passion and piece of me with everyone there."
Above all, Bauer remembers the wonderful feeling of being crowned Miss Nebraska.
"The moment is so overwhelming that is hard to remember what was going through my mind," she said. "I just know I was so honored and was overcome with emotion, especially when I looked out into the audience and saw my family crying and hugging each other. All that I wanted to do was jump off the stage and join them.