CSN Student Ashlee Nelson
You guys should meet Ashlee Nelson, recently crowned Miss Nevada Collegiate America. Or maybe you already have. She might be in one of your classes.
Nelson, 19, is a CSN student. She’s a general studies major, and plans on majoring in communications when she graduates next spring and moves on to UNLV. She isn’t certain what career she’ll choose, maybe broadcast news or something in the fashion industry.
Choosing CSN was easy, though. She came here, she said, for the same reason lots of people do. It’s a good education at half the price.
“I really liked the community college setting,” Nelson said. “The classes are inexpensive, and for me it was a much smoother transition into college.”
Nelson was crowned Miss Nevada Collegiate America last month as part of the national Miss Collegiate America network. She’ll compete for the national title next year in Orlando, Florida, which includes a $10,000 scholarship.
Jackie McKenna, Nevada state director of the pageant, said Nelson will be doing public appearances over the next year or so, touting the pageant’s anti-bullying message.
For Nelson, it’s been a whirlwind. There she was, taking a full load of classes, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, when bam, she decided to enter the pageant, just to see what would happen. She was, in fact, the last person to enter.
CSN’s Ashlee Nelson was named Miss Nevada Collegiate America
When she won, she was stunned. She credits CSN and her English professor, Laura McBride, with helping to keep her focused.
McBride, who’s been teaching at CSN for 15 years and recently published the well-reviewed novel “We Are Called to Rise,” inspires her, Nelson said.
“She’s helped me a lot with my personal development,” Nelson said. “We just kind of clicked.”