Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan returned home to Nebraska last Wednesday, for the first time since being crowned.Teresa traveled across the state for her homecoming, visiting with fans and friends along the way. Of course, her first stop was her beloved hometown of Gering, Nebraska and neighboring city, Scottsbluff. Teresa visited Community Christian School in Scottsbluff, to speak to over 200 kindergarten through eighth-grade students – including her younger brother. She spoke to them about dreaming big, working at their studies, sticking to their faith and never letting anyone tell them they're too young for big achievements. Across the two cities, business signs and electronic scrolls welcomed Miss America back home, including a billboard sponsored by a local McDonalds. At a news conference after the school visit, Teresa thanked the people of Scottsbluff and Gering for their support and mayors from both towns presented her keys to their cities. "We can't ask for a better ambassador," Gering Mayor Ed Mayo said. Teresa thanked everyone -- her friends, her parents, her piano teacher -- who helped her prepare for the pageant. "They say it takes a village to raise a child," she said. "It really takes a community to raise a woman, and that's what this community has done for me." Later that evening, Teresa met with about 675 people at a fundraising dinner at Gering Civic Center to benefit the Miss Nebraska Scholarship Pageant. During the event, Teresa wore a beautiful fuchsia sequined gown, led the gathering in prayer and gave a short speech. After dinner, she performed "Whitewater Chopped Sticks" on the piano. Teresa then traveled almost 200 miles to North Platte where she spoke to students at North Platte and St. Patrick's High Schools about having faith and believing in yourself. After speaking, she headed to a press conference, where she fielded questions and talked about her whirlwind last few months. She said her strong faith helped shape the young woman she is today.

"I've learned a lot more about myself and what I've been created to do and help other people. So I really feel like this year is certainly not about me it's about learning to get over myself in order to reach other people," said Teresa. The next morning, Teresa attended a prayer breakfast in her honor.  During the breakfast, Miss Nebraska program co-director Jay Engel announced that  Nebraska native and philanthropist George F. Garlick has established a $50,000 scholarship fund in Teresa's name to benefit the Miss Nebraska program.   After this special event, Teresa met up with the lovely women that were accompanying her for the rest of her homecoming visit – Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady, Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier, Miss Washington Jacquie Brown, Miss Oklahoma Emoly West,  Miss Vermont Caroline Bright, and Miss Connecticut Brittany Decker. Teresa and her special guests traveled to the Platte River Mall for a free autograph session where hundreds of people lined up to meet them. Later that evening, Teresa was honored at a banquet.  Representing Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy read a proclamation declaring Feb. 25 as "Miss America Teresa Scanlan Day" in Nebraska! He also inducted Teresa into the Nebraska Navy and North Platte Mayor Marc Kaschke presented Teresa with a key to the city.  Among the guests were the panel of judges who selected Teresa as Miss Nebraska in June, including Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap. The evening featured performances by Calvin Jones, composer of "White Water Chopsticks," the piano piece Teresa performed at the Miss America Pageant, and performances by Teresa’s 2011 Miss America Pageant sisters. Teresa also crowned her successor, Miss Nebraska Nicky Haverland.

The next day, Teresa and her special guests traveled another 280 miles to Omaha for the final leg of the homecoming tour, where they visited Omaha's Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. They made their way around the floor, visiting young patients, talking with families and bringing smiles to the extraordinary children. After the hospital visit and a private luncheon with her guests and former Miss Nebraska titleholders, Teresa visited Cabela’s retail store in LaVista to greet the public and hand out autographed photos. The festivities concluded that night with a special show in Teresa’s honor, with performances by Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap and some of her 2011 Miss America Pageant sisters.   We want to congratulate Jay and Amy Engel and the entire Miss Nebraska Organization for Teresa’s amazing homecoming, which they beautifully orchestrated in just five weeks.  We appreciate their leadership and dedication as they continue to grow their organization and provide the platform that gave us our 90th Anniversary Miss America.