Miss Neb. Teen shares her vision with area residents

LAUREL — Miss Nebraska Outstanding Teen 2019 Phoenix Stanford, 15, spoke to audience members at the annual chamber banquet, Jan. 24 at the Laurel VFW. Stanford spoke on Youth Philanthropy and gave recognition to those students responsible for the projects done in Laurel earlier in the evening. She also spoke later during the program about the road she has traveled thus far in her life to where she is now. A vocal performance of “The Prayer’’ was also performed by Stanton. 

The nine-year girl scout veteran said her Mom told her sister and herself to give back to the community. 

Since becoming Miss Teen I have worked with senators. “Senators are anxious to speak to youth, they want to hear from them, they value their voice,’’ Stanford said. “Write to your senators or meet up with them.’’ 

Stanford explained that as she has grown up she has had many ways to get involved including working on the youth council in Papillion South, her home school where she is a junior. 

“I have been averaging two or more appearances a week and play six instruments,’’ she said. “I love coming to places I have never been before. I grew up in England.’’ 

She began to compete in pageantry after her father met a pageant representative who asked if she would be interested after one of her performances when she sang the national anthem at a baseball game. 

“Since I am from a military family and it is expensive to put my sister and I through college. I decided to let my sister have the GI bill scholarship that will be available from my Dad and earn my scholarship through the pageant,’’ she said. “I had never competed before. I tried my best and got two awards the first time. I felt good about it. After two more years, the third time I became the first Asian American to represent Nebraska.’’ 

Since her victory, she has testified for LB88 and LB115 and become involved with the formation of a mental health bill to have on-site mental health professionals including possible mental health days for students. 

“I have also worked with the military including the Airman’s Readiness Center,’’ she said. “We’ve worked with homeless veterans. Nebraska has an open community for the military when we came from England, it was a blessing to be here.’’ 

Stanford said she loves music and loves singing. She has an album out and a Christmas carol. “Music is the glue that holds the world together,’’ she said. She said she hopes to go to school in Manhattan for music.