Plymouth native, Miss Indiana, heads to the big pageant
Plymouth native, Miss Indiana, heads to the big pageant Save Email Print
Plymouth
Posted: 7:46 PM Jan 16, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:48 PM Jan 16, 2008
 Reporter: Alana Greenfogel
Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com
27 comments
A | A | A

It takes talent. It takes beauty. And it takes a mission.

On Thursday Nicole Rash, Miss Indiana, heads to Las Vegas to compete in the Miss America pageant. But we can get more specific. Nicole grew up right here in Plymouth.

"I want to be Miss America because I want to create more smiles in the world. I've just seen the impact that I've had as Miss Indiana already," Nicole says.

Wednesday she is busy packing the dozens of dresses, shoes and accessories. Her evening gown has a "Spanish flare." That's quite appropriate considering her platform--breaking down language barriers.

"It's not about immigration. It's not about catering to people who can't speak our language but it's about learning about yourself and learning about other cultures as well," Nicole says. "I am fluent in Spanish because I lived in South America for two years out of high school. I was really interested in learning the language and the culture and traveling and was a really exciting experience for me."

So what will this Indiana girl tell the other 51 competitors about her home state?

"I hope to show them that in Indiana we are really fun and personable and loving people and that's the way I feel about the people in Indiana and that's what I hope to show."
More Stories
US Steel due to deliver update on benzene leak

Kokomo, Howard Co. eye plan to keep ticket revenue

Ind. court finds residency law not retroactive

New Indiana law changes unemployment rules

 Authorities seize 902 pot plants in Owen Co. raid

Auto parts maker shutting down Indiana plant

Cummins recalling 400 workers at Indiana plant

Pro-Sunday alcohol sale group gets active again
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Brittany (Rash) Rogers Location: Plymouth on Jan 29, 2008 at 02:43 AM
I love how you naysayers have the audacity to slam Nicole in a public forum, yet hide behind initials or aliases. Small town mentality still amazes me! Never shall one rise above the rest for fear of ridicule and persecution. This behavior is counter-productive and just downright obstructive to progress, but "that'll teach 'em." My family has come from humble beginnings and we've worked hard for everything we have. I challenge anyone to prove otherwise! That's another problem with small towns, everyone THINKS they know everything. They see someone with nice things, so immediately that must mean it was given to them on a silver platter. How about you focus your energy on how to pull yourself up, instead of on how to bring others down. I am Brittany (Rash) Rogers, and I am proud of my sister. "N", "Mrs. Smith," "JD".....care to reveal who you are? I doubt it.
Posted by: mel on Jan 28, 2008 at 12:28 PM
First of all, I'm not sure what JD was talking about, but Miss USA is different than Miss America. Anyway, I can see both sides in this arguement. i grew up in plymouth and it is a small town and there's not a lot to put in the paper most times, so it would be annoying to read about her over and over. but it is really exciting that she is in the running to be miss america and i think she has a pretty good shot.
Posted by: Ronda Location: Argos on Jan 23, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Hey now, Im an ugly fatt woman AND I think its awesome that Nicole is getting all this attention ( and she earned and deserves it) Good Luck Nicole !!!
Posted by: Sheri Location: Lapaz on Jan 21, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I remember Nicole as a little girl, here in Lapaz. She was very sweet then, and also appears to be now. Good luck Nicole we are all cheering you on.
Posted by: M Location: V on Jan 21, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I think what N is saying is more pictures, less words. Go what's her name!
Posted by: k Location: Rochester on Jan 19, 2008 at 05:20 PM
How did this turn into a public attack on this girl who is trying to do something to better herself and she's trying to represent her hometown/state in a positive way. It's really disappointing to see her and her family talked about like this. Just because you didn't like them in high school or you don't like the way they look or act now doesn't mean you should call them "nauseating" in a public forum. Grow up!
Posted by: Joe Location: Plymouth on Jan 18, 2008 at 04:46 PM
No "N", you are the idiot and your manhood is definately in question.
Posted by: Mrs. Smith on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:32 PM
To N; thank you for clarifying that her ability to nauseate, long before Miss Indiana contributed to her "I love me" personality, is nothing to be jealous of. (Seriously, that's not sarcasm.) In an interesting repeat of history her mother was just as nauseating back when we were all the same age...except she was no beauty queen, lol. Anyway, I still say God forbid she wins... I'm sure she will forever live in our Pilot News the way it is, just for being Miss Indiana and a Miss America contestant. We really don't need a street named after her or a plaque at city hall because she wins the next step. Honestly, there's no house big enough in this county to house that ego should it happen. And N you could be right...maybe the tiara is sewn on...that would explain that drawn upward look her face seems to have acquired since she entered the contest.
Posted by: N on Jan 18, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Joe, you are an idiot. I am a male, and just a couple years older then Ms. Rash. She was behind me in school, and she was nauseating then. Jealousy has nothing to do with anything. Like I said its purely because of overexposure. I think she is very beautiful, and smart, but there are only so many times I can take reading that someone is beautiful and smart before I have to shout "OK! I get it! She's beautiful and smart!" And to second Mrs. Smith: I have reason to believe Nicole has had that Tiara sewn into the top of her head because it never comes off! Now, am I rooting for Nicole? You bet your butt I am. I'd love to see Plymouth featured in National News in a good way again, like how Denver and the Mile High Orchestra was earlier this year cause of the Fox show. That was great exposure for our little town, and if Nicole were to win that'd be even better. I'm just sick of reading the same crap about her over and over.
Posted by: matt Location: sb on Jan 17, 2008 at 09:49 PM
sounds like "n" might have been eliminated from the pagent before she would have liked to have been....
Posted by: Riley on Jan 17, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Wow Joe!! How do you know what anyone on here looks like. Aren't people in titled to opinions or are we now living in Cuba! Congrats Nicole and way to go.
Posted by: Mrs Smith Location: Plymouth on Jan 17, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I agree with N, I find all the coverage a bit nauseating. I mean it's all fine & great if that's what she wants to do, but, she doesn't even look natural. I've seen her out in public more than once and she may as well wear her crown everywhere, because the way she acts screams 'oh look at me I'm someone wonderful'. Grew up with the parents too and it's really humorous to see this come from them, lol. Anyway, personally I hope she doesn't win because if we have all this overblown press due to her being a contestant for Miss America... imagine what it will be like if she happens to win! Yes I know, now you're all gonna tell me how horrible I am because I feel this way. Sorry, I don't think a stick thin girl with a 30 year old hairdo and an ego the size of the grand canyon is someone I want to read about on a daily basis.
Posted by: Joe Location: Plymouth on Jan 17, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Go Nicole, and do not let the comments of 2 ugly/fat ladies(N and the one who agrees with her) from Plymouth bother you one bit. Ugly women are always jealous of beautiful women. Cudo's to the Pilot.
Posted by: Agree with "N" Location: Plymouth on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I support Nicole Rash and everything she stands for but "N" is right. It gets old reading about everything Nicole Rash experiences. The Plymouth Pilot News features her in nearly every issue. In light of all the political events across this great country and the Plymouth Pilot News features Nicole Rash- What??? Where are the poltical articles is there even a political section? More power to you "N"- this town has gone completely overboard- blah, blah, blah!
Posted by: Mike on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Her parents are Bill and Cindy Rash.
Posted by: Mike Location: South Bend on Jan 17, 2008 at 12:54 PM
She seems nice - but I don't think she's hot enough to win.
Posted by: Go Indiana! on Jan 17, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Ok "N", so how is her publicity any different from Notre Dame/ND football being on the front page of the SB Tribune everyday. This shouldn't even be an issue. Great job Nicole and keep up the good work!!
Posted by: Kim Correll Location: Elkhart on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Who is Nicole Rash's parents? I think I might have went to school with them but cannot find any mention of them in any of your most recent articles.
Posted by: Mikey Location: Plymouth on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I personally dont know this girl, but I do know her parents. Kudos to them that this young woman has her head on straight and is ambitious about her goals. Its nice to here about her, what she does, what she believes, and what she stands for. GOOD LUCK!!
Posted by: Ronda Location: Argos on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Wow, "N" thinks "SHE" (Miss Indiana) is being over exposed. Well WAAAAAH!!! Nicole represents our wonderful state of Indiana and continues to do a fantastic job! She is Miss Indiana, and being a local girl (to me) makes this very big and prideful story! Good Luck Nicole!! and good luck Mr & Mrs Rash, you should be so proud of your daughter!!
Posted by: Bob Location: South Bend on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Wow "N", you know jealousy is a sickness, you obviously need so help. Congradulations Nicky, you make all of us proud...
Posted by: JD Location: South Bend on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Yeah...there are A LOT of humanitarian Miss USA winners (please see sarcasm). Great leaders of science and geography (Ummm...I think Americans should have more maps....) I actually personally knew a former Miss Indiana. But she already had a prominent job and didn't need the silly competition to make her.
Posted by: Matt Location: SB on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:03 AM
N - get a life! Excellent exposure for our area. She is putting Michiana on the map and it is always great to hear positive stories in the news! "N" dwells on the negative - I bet he/she has tons of friends!
Posted by: Ray Location: Wakarusa on Jan 17, 2008 at 08:33 AM
N, You've got some issues that need to be resolved. Keep letting them out, don't hold 'em in. The news people probably believes this story is a good break from the flood stories.
Posted by: Cindy Location: South Bend on Jan 17, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Good luck Nicole! Have fun! Win or lose we'll still be proud of you!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Wow are we a little bit jealous? I for one am very proud of Nicole and what she is trying to accomplish. Besides she set a goal for herself a long time ago and pursued it. Kudos to her
Posted by: me on Jan 16, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I Dont even know who this lady is ?
Posted by: N on Jan 16, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I am so sick of hearing and reading about this girl. Every other day she is on the front page of the Plymouth Pilot News. The stories are all the same: She's Miss Indiana. She's pretty. She's famous. She's met other famous people. Blah blah blah. I thought it was cool when she won Miss Indiana and made our town proud, but man, can overexposure ever change your opinion on someone.

WNDU News Poll
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.
Most Popular Headlines