Crowned & Candid: Lessons in Leadership, Letting Go, and Lasting Impact with Miss Nebraska 2024, Raechel Warren

When we talk about what it means to be fearlessly authentic, few women capture that spirit quite like Raechel Warren, Miss Nebraska 2024. At 29, she’s proof that dreams don’t have expiration dates and that every “no” on the journey can be the thing that shapes you into exactly who you’re meant to become.

In this Crowned & Candid conversation, Raechel opens up about how she balanced a demanding year of service, overcame the emotional challenges of competing at Miss America, and learned the power of belief, balance, and being unapologetically herself.

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Q: You’ve had quite a journey to this crown. How did you know this was the right time?

Raechel:
It’s funny – I didn’t, not at first. I’d been competing for years in different states, always making top five, always coming close, but I started to believe maybe it just wasn’t in God’s plan for me. When I moved to Nebraska for work and they raised the age limit one more time, I thought, “Why not give it one last shot?”

I had nothing to lose. That mindset changed everything. I took the pressure off myself and just focused on being her – not trying to become Miss Nebraska, but realizing I already was. I just had to wait for June 7th for the crown to catch up.

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Q: That kind of peace in competition is rare. How can others find it before their “last shot”?

Raechel:
You have to detach from the outcome. Want the job, absolutely, but don’t make it your entire identity. The crown can’t be the source of your worth.

When you see each competition as an opportunity to grow (not as a measure of your value) you perform from joy, not pressure. I told my local titleholders this year, “Be detached from this title. You can want it deeply without letting it define you.”

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Q: Tell us about that moment on crowning night. What was going through your mind?

Raechel:
Oh, I’ll never forget it. I had just won both the Talent and Evening Gown prelims for the first time ever. I went into finals night already so proud. I’d accomplished my personal goals before the crown was even on the table.

When they called my name, I blacked out a little! My mom and I looked at each other and said, “We did it.” It was this full-circle moment of gratitude for the years of growth, for every “almost,” and for the timing that finally made sense.

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Q: You’ve been described as “the question queen.” Why do you think asking questions is so powerful in this role?

Raechel:
Because if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

I went into my year knowing that Nebraska is a smaller state with fewer resources than others, so I had to be proactive. I didn’t wait for opportunities, I created them.

For example, my car wash sponsor was five hours away, so I emailed a local business, introduced myself, and explained my need. They said yes and ended up sponsoring not only me but the next Miss Nebraska, too.

You can’t play victim to what’s not available. Be graciously proactive. Advocate for yourself and for the title you represent.

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Q: What surprised you most about the job of being Miss Nebraska?

Raechel:
How entrepreneurial it is. You’re your own manager, marketer, speaker, and brand ambassador.

Nebraska didn’t have a booking manager when I started, so I handled almost all of my own appearances. I was determined to build relationships and visibility for our organization, so I cold-emailed event organizers, researched community calendars, and networked constantly.

If I wanted Miss Nebraska to be seen, I had to make that happen – and I loved it.

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Q: You spoke beautifully about “service with value.” How did you navigate the money mindset around appearances?

Raechel:
That was a growth area for me. We’re raised to associate service with selflessness. And sometimes, as women, we feel guilty accepting compensation.

But this is a job. Traveling, speaking, preparing; it all takes time, energy, and professionalism. Learning to ask for appearance fees respectfully was hard at first, but it helped me understand that valuing my work doesn’t mean I’m not serving.

It’s both: you can serve people wholeheartedly and be compensated for your expertise.

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Q: Let’s talk about Miss America. What was that experience really like for you?

Raechel:
Incredible, challenging, humbling all at once.

I had trained relentlessly, especially for my talent. I’m a competitive roller skater and had prepared a routine I was so proud of. But when I got to Miss America, the stage surface was completely different. A slick vinyl instead of wood. I could barely roll in rehearsal.

I cried, called my coach, swapped wheels, and prayed. In the end, I just told myself, “No one knows your choreography but you.” So I went out there, smiled, and gave everything I had.

It wasn’t the performance I’d envisioned, but it was the performance I had, and I’m proud of that.

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Q: How did you move through that disappointment emotionally?

Raechel:
It’s still something I process. You put so much heart into that one week, it’s natural to grieve when it doesn’t go as planned.

But I learned that strength isn’t never falling. It’s getting up with grace and perspective. I allowed myself to cry, to feel it, and then to remind myself that this doesn’t define me.

Even now, when I skate, I sometimes tear up. Not out of sadness, but gratitude for how far I’ve come.

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Q: What’s been the biggest emotional challenge of your year as Miss Nebraska?

Raechel:
Finding balance.

This job can be all-consuming. I love what I do, but I’ve also had to navigate exhaustion, wedding planning, and my full-time career. I felt guilty at times for being tired until my director reminded me, “You’ve done the job. It’s okay to rest.”

That really stuck with me. You can be grateful and still need rest. Both can be true.

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Q: What do you hope people remember about your year?

Raechel:
That I was authentically myself every single day.

I wanted every person I met to walk away feeling seen and valued; whether that was a student in a classroom, a teacher, or someone I met at a parade. My message to everyone was simple: You are uniquely, beautifully, and wonderfully made.

If that’s what they remember, I’ve done my job.

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Q: What advice would you give to the next Miss Nebraska?

Raechel:
On day one, I’d tell her:
You are exactly who Nebraska needs this year. You don’t need to be anyone else. You were chosen for a reason.

And on day 300, I’d remind her:
Take a day off. It’s okay to rest. You have nothing to pretend, nothing to defend – you’re already enough.

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Q: Looking ahead, how do you want to carry this experience into the next chapter?

Raechel:
I’ll miss the sparkles, sure, but more than that, I’ll miss the people. The conversations, the connections, the communities.

I want to keep building on that impact. I plan to stay involved with mentorship, public speaking, and community service, just without the crown this time.

This experience changed my life because I let it. And that’s what I hope for every woman who competes: don’t just chase the title, let the journey transform you.

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Fearlessly Authentic Takeaway

Raechel’s story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. Her reminder to “detach from the outcome” is one every competitor (and every woman) can carry into her next chapter. Whether or not you win the crown, you can always win the experience.

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Where to Find Raechel

📸 Follow her journey: @missamericane & @raechel__w