Student volunteer crowned queen
Junior chosen by Omaha, Neb. Organization
Michal Elseth
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: News
She opens the door dressed simply in jeans and a blue Hillsdale College softball jacket, but a ruby glint from her ring finger grabs attention. It proclaims that junior Alyssa Grewcock is not just an ordinary student: She's also a queen.
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben recently honored Grewcock, a marketing major and softball player, as their queen for the year for her service to the heartland community near Omaha, Neb. Ak-Sar-Ben, a community volunteer organization, honors those who work toward their mission: "Building a more prosperous heartland, where communities flourish and every child can succeed."
Grewcock's duties throughout the year will include planning parties and giving speeches at Ak-Sar-Ben events.
"I don't know what they are yet," she said, laughing.
She is excited to be involved, however, and said Nebraska is a wonderful place to grow up because of its strong community.
Grewcock's friends agree that her love for people makes her a good queen, consistently describing her as outgoing, caring and a dedicated volunteer.
"It's her caringness, I guess," said Andy Pruitt, a friend from Omaha. "She's very involved in the community."
Ak-Sar-Ben honors 100 young adults every year: 25 girls from Omaha, called princesses; 25 girls from outside Omaha, called countesses; 25 men from Omaha, and 25 men from outside Omaha. From these 100 young men and women, the coronation committee chooses one king and one queen by the excellent service they and their families have demonstrated in their local community.
The Grewcock family certainly fits this description, supporting and volunteering for several organizations in Omaha as well as Hillsdale College. Alyssa followed her family tradition of volunteerism through high school by working with dogs at her local Humane Society, volunteering at the Henry Doorly Zoo, and coaching a girls' softball team. Last summer she continued her work at the zoo, interning in the zoo's marketing department.
Grewcock is modest about her volunteering and downplays her success, but was more than willing to surrender her queen's ring for close examination. It is engraved with her initials and "112," because she is the 112th Ak-Sar-Ben queen.
Slipping the ring back on, she described the coronation ball in glowing terms.
"It was honestly one of the most fun times I have had," she said.
Before the committee named its king and queen, each princess and duchess walked across the stage, escorted by one of the men, each girl wearing the same dress. After she walked, the new queen snuck away to change into her coronation gown. She appeared in a silver Chantilly lace dress that she said she loved wearing. She was crowned, given her ring and spoke her thanks.
Grewcock said of Ak-Sar-Ben's mission, "That's kind of what Omaha is. There's that community in the heartland, and I'd like to see it stay that way."
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben recently honored Grewcock, a marketing major and softball player, as their queen for the year for her service to the heartland community near Omaha, Neb. Ak-Sar-Ben, a community volunteer organization, honors those who work toward their mission: "Building a more prosperous heartland, where communities flourish and every child can succeed."
Grewcock's duties throughout the year will include planning parties and giving speeches at Ak-Sar-Ben events.
"I don't know what they are yet," she said, laughing.
She is excited to be involved, however, and said Nebraska is a wonderful place to grow up because of its strong community.
Grewcock's friends agree that her love for people makes her a good queen, consistently describing her as outgoing, caring and a dedicated volunteer.
"It's her caringness, I guess," said Andy Pruitt, a friend from Omaha. "She's very involved in the community."
Ak-Sar-Ben honors 100 young adults every year: 25 girls from Omaha, called princesses; 25 girls from outside Omaha, called countesses; 25 men from Omaha, and 25 men from outside Omaha. From these 100 young men and women, the coronation committee chooses one king and one queen by the excellent service they and their families have demonstrated in their local community.
The Grewcock family certainly fits this description, supporting and volunteering for several organizations in Omaha as well as Hillsdale College. Alyssa followed her family tradition of volunteerism through high school by working with dogs at her local Humane Society, volunteering at the Henry Doorly Zoo, and coaching a girls' softball team. Last summer she continued her work at the zoo, interning in the zoo's marketing department.
Grewcock is modest about her volunteering and downplays her success, but was more than willing to surrender her queen's ring for close examination. It is engraved with her initials and "112," because she is the 112th Ak-Sar-Ben queen.
Slipping the ring back on, she described the coronation ball in glowing terms.
"It was honestly one of the most fun times I have had," she said.
Before the committee named its king and queen, each princess and duchess walked across the stage, escorted by one of the men, each girl wearing the same dress. After she walked, the new queen snuck away to change into her coronation gown. She appeared in a silver Chantilly lace dress that she said she loved wearing. She was crowned, given her ring and spoke her thanks.
Grewcock said of Ak-Sar-Ben's mission, "That's kind of what Omaha is. There's that community in the heartland, and I'd like to see it stay that way."
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