History of the Ms Wheelchair Nebraska Program
Cathy Hayes of Lincoln founded the Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska Program in 1999. She represented the state as an independent delegate at the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant in 2000. One of Cathy's main responsibilities as an independent delegate was to build the program for the state in addition to her other title-holder duties.

In 2004, Penny Gillett Silvius took over as State Coordinator and represented Nebraska at Ms. Wheelchair America as an independent delegate to restart the program after a short period of inactivity.

In 2005, Crystal Childers took over as State Coordinator. She is also a former Nebraska title-holder and competed in 2001 at Ms. Wheelchair America.

Former Titleholders

	Amber Watson /MWNE 2007 Amber Watson was crowned as Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2007 on November 4, 2006. The ceremony took place at the Interstate Holiday Inn in Grand Island, Nebraska. Amber is currently living in Kearney with her husband, Steve, and son, Braden. She is employed by Kearney Public Schools as a substitute teacher.
	Nicole Jones /MWNE 2006 Nicole Jones was crowned as Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2006 on October 8. The ceremony took place at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nicole is a Lincoln native. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, minoring in music from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She graduated from UNK in December of 2004 and still enjoys playing her flute.
	Penny Gillett Silvius/MWNE 2004 Penny is currently living with her husband, Eric, in Walton, Nebraska. She enjoys writing, public speaking, wheelchair sports and shooting air rifles. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology and has published over 100 articles. One of her many goals is to complete the book she is currently writing and to have it published. Penny is available for speaking engagements. For more information, please contact her at mwne04@mswheelchairnebraska.org.
	Jeanette Banahan/MWNE 2002 Jeanette is currently living and working in Beatrice, Nebraska. She is working at the Beatrice Developmental Center as a counselor and is in the process of building a new home. She enjoys visiting with friends and has a passion for travel.
	Crystal Childers/MWNE 2001 Crystal is a former school teacher and graduated from Hamilton College in Lincoln in June of 2005 with her paralegal degree. She currently works for the State of Nebraska as a paralegal for the Employee Relations Division. She enjoys scrapbooking, sewing and gardening.
	Cathy Hayes/MWNE 2000 Cathy lives in Lincoln with her husband, Mike and son, Austin. She works for the State of Nebraska as Funding Coordinator for the Assistive Technology Partnership. She enjoys gardening, travel and is involved in the foster care program.