Reese wins Mrs. Congeniality at Mrs. America pageant

Mrs. Nebraska Adair Reese of Grant returned home from the Mrs. America pageant in Las Vegas with the Mrs. Congeniality award. 

The award was determined by a vote among Reese’s fellow 51 contestants, as to who they felt was the most congenial, or friendliest.

Reese said as much as she thinks it would be an honor to be Mrs. America, she feels it’s just as much of an honor to be named Mrs. Congeniality. 

“There are five judges voting for Mrs. America, but 51 girls voting for Mrs. Congeniality,” she said. 

The award was presented at the Mrs. America finals held at Westgate Resort and Casino on Saturday, Aug. 24 after a week of activities and competition. 

Reese flew to Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 16 with three suitcases and a carry-on totaling nearly 100 pounds. She shipped 37 pounds of clothing before her departure. The week-long event consisted of a full-schedule requiring several gowns and cocktail dresses.

 On Saturday, Aug. 17, Reese checked in and received the sponsored swimsuit, heels and outfits that all contestants wore for specific categories and the opening dance number. An orientation dinner was held that evening with Mrs. America and Mrs. America founders David and Elaine Marmel.

Rehearsals were held nearly all day Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to learn the opening dance number, walking patterns, where to stand, spacing, etc.

“Handling 52 ladies on a stage is a lot, so a lot of time was spent getting spacing down,” said Reese.

The evenings were scheduled with entertainment, including dinner and cocktails at Benihana and Elvis Presley’s penthouse suite at Westgate. 

A dignitary dinner was held Tuesday evening, where  David and Jackie Siegel spoke about their foundation Victoria’s Voice. The foundation was created after their daughter Victoria died of a drug overdose at age 18. Funds from Mrs. America support the foundation. 

Contestants presented gifts to the foundation, and were encouraged to present gifts that represented their home state. Reese, in true Nebraska fashion, presented a gift certificate to Perkins County’s own Tjaden Ranch Beef. 

Gifts were also exchanged between contestants. Reese gifted key chains that read “Always wear your invisible crown.”

Interviews were held on Wednesday, and the preliminary competition was held Thursday. Preliminaries consisted of the swimsuit, evening gown and state costume competitions. The state costume represented something significant from each state. Reese represented Arbor Day in a dress she made herself from silk leaves, stating, “Founders of Arbor Day, that’s what makes us strong as our Nebraska roots.”

Friday was a much welcomed day off, when Reese was able to spend time with her family. Several family members, friends and Mrs. Nebraska supporters attended the final event to support her.

Reese said she made lifelong friendships, including Mrs. Nevada, who took home the Mrs. America crown. Throughout the week, contestants are arranged in alphabetical order and judged on punctuality and behavior, so Mrs. Nebraska was able to get to know Mrs. Nevada well. 

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said. 

 Reese flew home Sunday and hit the ground running catching up on her new job as the youth market director with the American Heart Association. She left for Omaha Tuesday and will return Thursday, and will attend the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island Sunday as Mrs. Nebraska. Next month will include appearances at Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous. 

So after a non-stop week for the pageant queen, it looks like things will not be slowing down soon for Mrs. Nebraska, who will hold the title until April 2020.