Miss Nebraska

Jana Murrell

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
In early grade school, my three best friends and I tried to give ourselves “homemade tattoos.” We thought if we could just scratch deep enough, it would heal like any other scar, just like the ones you get when you scrape your knees. At the time, I didn’t know about the 5 layers of skin we had to penetrate through to even get close to making a scar. Needless to say, once we got started, none of us were brave enough to scratch deep enough with our sewing needles to make any kind of lasting mark. We gave up on the idea after recess, but that was enough time for a classmate who saw us attempting the “tattoos” to tell our teacher, who told our parents. My mom made me write an essay which I entitled “The Importance of Respecting My Body.”

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
High School: North High School; Year Completed: 2000
College: Creighton University; Area of Study: Exercise Science; Year Completed: 2003; Degree: Bachelor of Health Science (pending upon graduation from professional school).
Post Graduate: Creighton University; Area of Study: Physical Therapy; Year Completed: 2006; Degree: Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
Open Door Mission ~30 hours
American Red Cross ~20 hours
Girls Inc. ~10 hours
Special Olympics ~9 hours
Joint Effort ~3 hours
N.E.T.W.O.R.K. Inc. (Nebraska Ethnics Together Working On Reaching Kids) ~25 hours
Junior League of Omaha ~30 hours.

What would be your "dream job" in life?
Model/actress/reporter/something in the entertainment industry/a person who gets paid to travel to great places, eat wonderful food, stay in luxury hotels, and report to a network or rate their experiences.

Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to being a State Titleholder) that makes you especially proud.
I teach classes on healthy living and exercise to people in my community. The majority of participants have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, are overweight, or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. I'm especially proud of the fact that I play a role in helping people make healthy lifestyle changes that improve their overall health for years to come and decreases their risks for potential heart attacks or strokes. It's very satisfying to know that I'm helping people to be healthier, feel better and live longer.

What are your hobbies and favorite activities?
Sports, Outdoor activities, Reading, Going to amusement parks, Walking my dog, Working out.