Mrs. Nebraska Silent Auction

Catching a hug and photo with my 5 year old daughter Emma

Alongside my husband Colin

My Dad Chuck

Katie and Brittany Jeffers, Miss Nebraska 2009

With our neighbor Katie

With Rachel Seidel

With Madison and Emma

Fawnia, Best friend and Owner of Rumor's Hair Studio in Lincoln

With Shelly Keene (former Mrs. Nebraska Contestant)

Michele with Brittany Jeffers

Brittany and Emma

June 28, 2009 - Tonight was the Mrs. Nebraska US Silent Auction held at the Winning Crown Boutique. I am so blessed to have had so many awesome items donated for the auction by friends, family, and local businesses. I was fortunate to have so many of my friends and family in attendance including my dad. Thank you to all those who attended and helped out with the day. On the other hand, my mother broke both arms and sprained her ankle a few weeks ago and was not able to make the trip. It just didn't seem right not having her there! I hope she gets better soon so she doesn't miss out on more fun events!

Pageant Intensive Workshop

Michaela Milikin, Miss Nebraska Jr.Teen - I actually judged Michaela when she won her first title back in 2007.

With all the current title holders for Nebraska National Teenager

All the attendees at the workshop

June 27, 2009 - Earlier today, I had so much fun being a guest speaker at a workshop for young teens who are interested in competing in pageants. There was a wide range of age and skill level and they all asked so many great questions which made the class a lot of fun. I had the opportunity to work with them on interview, walking, and makeup techniques. All the girls that attended are so talented and I know that I am going to see them winning a big title someday. Watch out Nebraska!!

Radio Day

Michele with Scott Voorhees

Super Producer Randy Mack and Michele

June 25, 2009 - This morning was a super fun day on the radio. The day started with an appearance on the Big Party Morning Show 94.1FM and I followed that up with Scott Voorhees on 1110 KFAB. I was on both shows today promoting my silent auction which will benefit the Susan G Komen for the Cure and my trip to the Mrs. United States Pageant.

Being on the Big Party Show was really a lot of fun because the "cast" is full of jokes and wit. They asked me some interesting questions such as whether I cook in my crown and sash and if I mow the lawn for my husband...

Then it was off to the Scott Voorhees Show on 1110 KFAB. This is a show that is generally a little more sophisticated. For running serious show, however, Scott is actually not that serious on a personal level - interesting combination right? With his sharp mind, he really is super nice person to be around. For those of you that do not know, KFAB is the largest talk radio station in the midwest so he certainly has a big audience too. I am always in for a treat on this show because Scott always keeps me hopping!

Nevertheless, I survived both shows and had a blast. My thanks to both stations for having me on the air with them today.

Pink Ribbon Scramble

Andy Vuko and Michele...Turns out Andy is also an RVP with Arbonne! Small World
Pink Ribbon Scramble Committee

A few of the brave survivors...

June 25, 2009 - Today was the Pink Ribbon Scramble at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln, NE. I was fortunate to be asked to come and share my passion about the Susan G Komen for the Cure. I had a great time speaking at this event, but I sure wish I would have had the time to golf today - it was such a beautiful day! More importantly, it was extremely inspirational to be able to visit with so many courageous ladies that have endured so much in their battles with cancer. It is people like this that remind me why I must continue on in my support for this worthy cause.

Bennington Daze Race

The runners - Lisa Davis, Shannon Stremich, Michele Strom, and Mandy Jensen

Ethan "squeezing" a ride in with Dad

Emma is having her face painted by a Bennington Cheerleader

Having fun on the slides

Michele and Emma with Nebraska's National Teenager's Michaela Millikan, Demitri Blackburn, and Aria Rezai

With the encouragement of a few friends, I decided to run in the “Bennington Daze” Road Race this past Saturday. This is the first time I have actually run a real race due to a fractured femur that I suffered 15 years ago. Unfortunately, this injury required 5 surgeries to put my leg back together. Needless to say, my doctors told me that running would be very difficult and that I might not ever even be able to run again - forunately, I have exceeded their initial expectations on that front. Testing the waters over the past 6 months with my trainer who has worked with me on a safer stride, I have been able to get back into running a little bit more. So with a little push from Mandy in particular, I ran in my first race today! I can't say I ran the entire time, but it was an accomplishment to complete the race – which was better than I thought I would do.
Along with my family, we also attended the town's annual parade after the race. This was a fun time with them and there was some added excitement with a few of my favorite beauty queens from the area also there.

Miss Nebraska-America 2009

Gretchen Bergquist Miss Nebraska 2008 and Michele after the first night of competition

Michele with Karalyn Hoefer, former Mrs. Nebraska contestant

Jennifer Curtis and Michele

Michele with the New Miss Nebraska Outstanding Teen, Jaycee Pilkington

Michele and Chris Tooley, Executive Director for the Miss Metro Pageant

Michele with Ashley Douglass, Miss Heartland

Michele with Alexis Geist, Miss Lincoln and Ashley Bauer Miss Nebraska 2007

Michele with Gretchen Bergquist Miss Nebraska 2008

Jordan Somers Miss Omaha Outstanding Teen and 1st Runner up

Top 5

Jessica Riesig, Michele Strom; Mrs. Nebraska US, Andrea Stine; Mrs. Nebraska 2008, Jennifer Hart; Mrs. Nebraska America 2009

Michele Strom, Mrs. Nebraska US 2009 with Andrea Stine, Mrs. Nebraska America 2008

Brittany Jeffers the new Miss Nebraska

Michele with John Knicely from WOWT Channel 6

Ashley Bauer, Miss Nebraska 2007, Sarah Hollins, Miss Teen Nebraska USA and Michele

This past weekend, I attended the Miss Nebraska Pageant in North Platte, NE. This is always a fun event to attend because Miss Nebraska is so prevalent in North Platte and the entire state of Nebraska. I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing women. Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Nebraska Brittany Jeffers.

CoutURE Fashion Show

This is a breast cancer survivor modeling her "Harley" wear with pink lashes!

Posing with some of the courageous guests

On this last day of May, I was involved in a great event to raise money for the Susan G Komen for the Cure. Along with Mallorie Maddox from WOWT Channel 6, I was a guest speaker where it was my role was to speak about Susan G Komen and what it means to me to be involved in this important cause. As a part of the event, Mallorie introduced all of the survivors who were the models in the fashion show. It was fantastic to see all of the courageous ladies looking so good.