LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Audrey Eckert has been competing in pageants since she was just nine years old, getting her start in Lincoln and winning Miss Nebraska Teen USA in 2020.

She went on to lead the Husker Cheer Squad at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, eventually taking her love of pageantry to the next level when she won Miss Nebraska USA this past spring.

“I think sometimes people count you out because of where you’re from, but that shouldn’t be the case,” Eckert said during an interview with 10/11 on Monday. “Where you’re from doesn’t matter.”

She says it’s not always easy. On top of modeling, contestants must also navigate interviews about themselves, their state and their country as they work their way up.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot over the years, worked with a lot of am

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