Nikki Holbrook, a sophomore studying business management, was born and raised in California. After living in Hawaii for two years, Holbrook is now running for Miss Hawaii since being crowned Miss Central Oahu in December 2018.
Holbrook said her least favorite thing about the Miss America Organization is the misconceptions people have about the organization. “Many people think that this is a beauty pageant and is only based on looks. There are some organizations that emphasize those aspects, but the Miss America Organization is very far from that.”
Holbrook continued, “Not only do I prepare for the actual phases of competition, but I also prepare by building my resume.”
She added she spends a lot of time practicing her talent, which is piano. Also, she said she balances keeping up with current events, practicing interview skills, living a healthy lifestyle, doing well in school, and participating in different events as a titleholder.
Jordan Holbrook, Nikki Holbrook’s older sister, a senior studying English from California, said through the Miss America Program, Nikki has had opportunities to use her talents to help Heavenly Father’s children.
“Nikki has a heart of service. It has brought me so much joy watching her promote the importance of kindness and helping others. I love my little sister so much, and I am so proud of her. Her hard work and dedication never cease to inspire and impress me.”
Giving a Tedx Talk
In May 2018, Holbrook gave a Tedx Talk in Irvine, California. According to TED.com, a TEDx Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes.
In order to be involved and to give a TedxTalk, Holbrook had to apply for the event. Holbrook said, “My director had given a Ted Talk previously and she helped me throughout the application process.”
Holbrook said her Tedx Talk was definitely something that pushed her, but it was rewarding. She added this experience allowed her to get out of her comfort zone and practice her public speaking skills.
“My talk was titled, ‘How to Chase a Shark.’ My main message was that we can’t let our fears hinder us from achieving great things. I listed different steps in achieving this and how to succeed at ‘chasing that shark.’”
Holbrook said she was inspired to have her TedxTalk on ‘How to Chase a Shark’ after her and some friends went swimming with sharks at OneOcean Diving. Holbrook outlined how individuals should not let their fears get in the way of them doing something great, just like she did not let the fear of swimming with sharks get in the way of her having this wonderful experience.
Holbrook said, “The steps were
1. Commit to the chase
2. Get in the water
3. Live to tell the story.”
Holbrook continued, “I came up with idea because I have pushed myself to do things out of my comfort zone. I’ve seen how it has not only helped me grow but given me amazing opportunities. I wanted to share that message to encourage people to not let their fears get in the away of achieving great things.”
Her platform
Holbrook explained each contestant has their own platform, which could be a cause, an organization or something each contestant wants to raise awareness about throughout the year.
Holbrook has created the platform S.N.A.P., which stands for Service Nurtures All People. She said S.N.A.P is about educating youth of the importance of service in their communities.
“I have created an interactive assembly that I present to elementary schools and after-school programs. I have had the opportunity to take it throughout California, Hawaii, South Korea and... New Zealand.”
Holbrook said her favorite thing about the Miss America Organization’s is that its national partner is the Children’s Miracle Network.
According to Holbrook, CMN raises money to save the lives of sick and injured children. Through CMN, Holbrook said she visits different children’s hospitals, raises money for their organization and meets amazing children.
“It has been such a humbling experience to hear the stories of these patients and how much CMN does for them.”
Keli’i Mawae, a senior from Maui studying finance, said she is close friends with Holbrook and has watched her in her journey and preparation for this competition.
Mawae said, “There is so much more than just competing at the event. It is everything that happens behind the scenes where Nikki shines. The hours of practicing piano each day, the fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network and everything else that goes along with it. She is always anxiously engaged in a good cause.”
Holbrook said some individuals have expressed they do not feel she should be able to run for Miss Hawaii because she was not born in Hawaii. However, her father’s side is Hawaiian.
She said, “I am Hawaiian. My family is here and this is where I would like to be. I feel even more connected to my culture and would be honored to represent this beautiful state that I now call home.”
To qualify to compete in a state for the Miss America Organization. you must be either a current resident or a student. Holbrook has been at BYU–Hawaii for more than one semester, so she said she is allowed to compete.
Why Holbrook competes
Holbrook said she competes in the Miss America Organization because she likes seeing the impact she can make and this organization has led her to have opportunities to grow.
“I have had amazing opportunities to serve others, work with different non-profits and teach youth about service. I feel that is has given me a voice and the opportunity to be a role model for youth.
“In addition, I have grown so much. By taking challenges and pushing myself to work harder, I have learned a lot about myself.”
Holbrook added, “Many people don’t know that the Miss America Organization is the largest provider for scholarships for women in the United States. It has helped me pay my way through college on my own.”
Holbrook said she has received around $13,000 total in scholarships to go towards her education.
An injury ended Holbrook’s soccer career, which lead to playing the piano, then to Miss America
Holbrook said she dreamed of being a student-athlete in college after years of competitive soccer. In 2013, Holbrook’s dream came to an end after she was faced with a career-ending soccer injury and had to have surgery.
She was only 14 years old. Although this experience ended one path of life for Holbrook, she said it opened her up to opportunities she had never dreamed of, and it started her career in the Miss America Organization.
While healing, Holbrook was taking piano lessons. Holbrook said, “My piano teacher told me about the Miss America Organization. She was a former Miss Oklahoma and told me about her experiences. I quickly learned that this was not a beauty pageant but actually a scholarship organization.
“I liked the fact that the Miss America Organization focused on service, talent and scholarship. I decided to compete and have been involved ever since.”
Miss California
In the summer of 2018, Holbrook placed second runner-up in the 2018 Miss California competition. Holbrook was the youngest of all 52 contestants.
She also said she won the Highest Scoring Talent Preliminary Award for her piano piece and “would not be anywhere without her piano teacher.”
Holbrook said during the Miss California competition, “My last on-stage question was about my thoughts on the United States building relationships with North Korea. I was a little scared when I heard the question because this is a heavy topic, but I felt really good about my answer.”
Miss Central Oahu
In December 2018, Holbrook won the Miss Central Oahu competition. She said balancing school, work and preparing for the competition was challenging, but she was grateful for receiving support from family and friends.
Holbrook said she is very proud to represent BYUH at the competition. “During the private interview with the judges, I was asked a question about BYUH and was able to incorporate our motto of ‘Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.’”
Preparing for Miss Hawaii
The Miss Hawaii competition is June 15, 2019. Holbrook said she has been preparing for this competition as she does for every competition by practicing her talent, doing mock interviews and working with her platform S.N.A.P.
Holbrook said preparing for a competition and being busy with school has been challenging, but she said she is balancing everything out.
“There will be 18 contestants competing at the competition. All I can do is work my hardest and be the best person I can be.”
She said if it is meant to be, then she will “place,” but no matter what the outcome is, she is grateful to have the opportunity to compete.
Writer: Mackenzie Beaver