York College鈥檚 winter commencement held in the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center
on December 16 was one for the record books as fifty-seven graduates received their
master鈥檚 degrees, the largest graduate study class in the college鈥檚 history. While
more than half of the graduates were from the Midwest, with Nebraska representing
the lion鈥檚 share, they hailed from as far away as Gulf Shores, Ala., and Brentwood,
Calif. For many, this was their first time to be on the YC campus, having taken all
of their coursework online. Others were not able to be at the ceremony due to distance
but still received their cherished diploma in the mail.
For Jane Nincehelser, reigning 2021 Mrs. Nebraska America, the 128 miles separating
the small northeastern town of Oakland and York was worth the two-hour drive to celebrate
her second master's, this one in education. She was able to meet some of her online
classmates, shake President Smith鈥檚 hand, and accept the ceremonial hooding by Dr.
Cheryl Couch, master of arts education program director, and Dr. Shannon Leinen, dean
of online learning and academic initiatives.
This week, Nincehelser received a package in the mail from the YC registrar and posted on her personal Instagram, 鈥淚t鈥檚 official! I received my MA degree in the mail today!鈥�
That Instagram post tagged York College and was seen by Eryn Conyers, communication officer for York College. When Conyers read some of Nincehelser鈥檚 other comments about her journey, she realized it was a story worth sharing.
The Oakland-Craig elementary teacher entered the 2021 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant back in April of 2021. For those who are unfamiliar with the title, the following is a description of the obligations: As Mrs. Nebraska, your role is to serve as an ambassador for the contemporary married woman. The only requirement is that you advance to nationals and compete for the title of Mrs. America. This title is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it鈥檚 up to you what you achieve during your reign.
Nincehelser, who is married and has two adorable children, made a clean sweep of the main categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and the interview portion of the Mrs. Nebraska Pageant. She was also awarded Mrs. Congeniality and told the Oakland Independent, 鈥淭his was a big honor, as this is voted on by the contestants themselves, so knowing they thought highly of me and my character meant a lot.鈥�
This week, Nincehelser received a package in the mail from the YC registrar and posted on her personal Instagram, 鈥淚t鈥檚 official! I received my MA degree in the mail today!鈥�
That Instagram post tagged York College and was seen by Eryn Conyers, communication officer for York College. When Conyers read some of Nincehelser鈥檚 other comments about her journey, she realized it was a story worth sharing.
The Oakland-Craig elementary teacher entered the 2021 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant back in April of 2021. For those who are unfamiliar with the title, the following is a description of the obligations: As Mrs. Nebraska, your role is to serve as an ambassador for the contemporary married woman. The only requirement is that you advance to nationals and compete for the title of Mrs. America. This title is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it鈥檚 up to you what you achieve during your reign.
Nincehelser, who is married and has two adorable children, made a clean sweep of the main categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and the interview portion of the Mrs. Nebraska Pageant. She was also awarded Mrs. Congeniality and told the Oakland Independent, 鈥淭his was a big honor, as this is voted on by the contestants themselves, so knowing they thought highly of me and my character meant a lot.鈥�
Upon winning the crown, Nincehelser stayed active in her community and used the platform
to carry with her a message across the state of the importance of early screening
for colon cancer, having lost her father to the disease.
Nincehelser went on to represent the state of Nebraska in the Mrs. America Pageant held November 20, 2021, in Las Vegas and placed in the Top 15. Less than four weeks later, she is trading her crown for a mortarboard and walking across the stage at York College to celebrate yet another milestone.
鈥淲hen I think about when I started this MA program my babies were 1 and 3 and then I look at them now and how they鈥檝e grown!鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy how fast it went!鈥�
Along with a picture of her pageant crown on top of her graduation cap, she posted this on her Mrs. Nebraska Instagram account, 鈥淲earing these two hats hasn鈥檛 always been easy, and I couldn鈥檛 have done it without my amazing support system, my family, and most importantly, the man behind the scenes, my husband, Clayton. Thank you babe for always believing in me, keeping the kids out of my zoom meetings, and cheering me on the whole way.鈥�
Then she added, 鈥淚鈥檓 happy to say I can take the one 鈥渉at鈥� off! Master鈥檚 Degree No. 2 is in the books! I鈥檓 excited to see what new opportunities come my way with this additional degree. AND I鈥檓 looking forward to continuing to wear this crown to represent Nebraska in the months ahead!鈥�
Nincehelser went on to represent the state of Nebraska in the Mrs. America Pageant held November 20, 2021, in Las Vegas and placed in the Top 15. Less than four weeks later, she is trading her crown for a mortarboard and walking across the stage at York College to celebrate yet another milestone.
鈥淲hen I think about when I started this MA program my babies were 1 and 3 and then I look at them now and how they鈥檝e grown!鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy how fast it went!鈥�
Along with a picture of her pageant crown on top of her graduation cap, she posted this on her Mrs. Nebraska Instagram account, 鈥淲earing these two hats hasn鈥檛 always been easy, and I couldn鈥檛 have done it without my amazing support system, my family, and most importantly, the man behind the scenes, my husband, Clayton. Thank you babe for always believing in me, keeping the kids out of my zoom meetings, and cheering me on the whole way.鈥�
Then she added, 鈥淚鈥檓 happy to say I can take the one 鈥渉at鈥� off! Master鈥檚 Degree No. 2 is in the books! I鈥檓 excited to see what new opportunities come my way with this additional degree. AND I鈥檓 looking forward to continuing to wear this crown to represent Nebraska in the months ahead!鈥�