Andalusia native Ella Kate Nichols’ sense of community and heart for helping others bloomed early, when she was still in elementary school in her small south-central Alabama hometown. “When I was nine years old, I was introduced to the Rising Star program that is incorporated with Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama’s Teen,” she explains. The mentoring program pairs girls ages seven to 11 with a pageant contestant for the year, and participants accompany the ladies at local appearances and onstage at the state competition. “After being a Rising Star for three years and meeting such outstanding women, I decided to compete in Miss Alabama’s Teen at age 13. I saw how life-changing the organization truly is through my years as a Rising Star! I competed in Miss Alabama’s Teen from 13 to 17, winning numerous awards and scholarships, including the Community Service Award and being placed in the Top 15.” Now, at age 21, Ella Kate will represent Shelby County in the Miss Alabama pageant this summer. Her two previous trips to the state competition earned her several scholarships for talent performance and community service.
That community service is what has driven Ella Kate to compete and serve since she was young. “Before I was born, my Uncle David passed away at 14 years old from leukemia,” she says. “Then, when I was in kindergarten, one of my best friends was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a form of cancer in the retina. At age nine, I met a great friend of mine who was fighting medulloblastoma, a cancer that occurs on the brain stem. Because of them, I began fundraising for childhood cancer research in any way I could. After a few years, I realized I wanted to make a direct impact on the lives of childhood cancer patients. I had seen firsthand the toll that childhood cancer takes on a kid and their families, and I knew that I wanted to make a difference in this area.” Ella Kate’s dream manifested as a nonprofit, called Buckets of Smiles, which she founded at just 15 years old. “Through the organization, I deliver buckets full of hospital-approved activity items to childhood cancer patients. It’s now a country-wide program thanks to the Buckets of Smiles Ambassador Program, which has spread to 21 states and Washington, D.C.” Through the nonprofit, Ella Kate also fundraises for research alongside other nonprofit groups such as Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, as well as lobbies for equitable treatments and research for childhood cancer.
“While being a college student can complicate deliveries every now and then, I am still able to make several, as well as fundraise, while I am studying to become a Child Life Specialist,” says Ella Kate, a junior at Auburn. “Child Life Specialists are the heartbeat of my organization. They provide family-centered care, give relief to patients through medical play and procedure preparation, aid in donation assistance, and a million other responsibilities.” She’s being modest; Ella Kate juggles her student and Miss Shelby County responsibilities along with participation in the Auburn University Singers, Alpha Chi Omega, Auburn University Dance Marathon, Student Recruiters, and the College of Human Sciences Dean Student Advisory Board.
Noting that pageants offer a multitude of opportunities, Ella Kate is clear on her favorite one: the chance to be surrounded by like-minded women. “Within the Miss America Opportunity, contestants can develop a Community Service Initiative. Each contestant chooses something they are passionate about to work toward throughout their year, and it really blows my mind how much each woman in the Miss America Opportunity impacts their area of service and their community,” says Ella Kate. “Plus, these are some of the most genuine and intentional friends that I have ever had. I have made memories to last a lifetime throughout my years of competing in this organization because of the friendships I made along the way. From eating Taco Bell and laughing until our stomachs hurt in our dorms during Miss Alabama week to having impromptu karaoke parties in the dressing room, I could not be more thankful for these friendships!”
Another silver lining: The scholarships she earned at the previous trips to Miss Alabama means she will not bear the burden of student loans. “Because of Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama’s Teen, I am on track to graduate completely debt-free from college! This is one of the numerous benefits that all contestants gain from competing. I have also gained a plethora of life skills, unique experiences that are both a lot of fun and opportunities for networking, and my best friends. I cannot thank the Miss America Opportunity enough for shaping me into who I am today!” she says. During her years at Auburn, she’s also met a number of people from the Shelby County area. “These people are some of the most amazing individuals I have ever met and are a big reason I chose to compete in Miss Shelby County. They, along with the entirety of Shelby County, have shown me the true meaning of community, and they hold such a special place in my heart. It is a huge honor to represent them throughout the year and at Miss Alabama this summer!”
After she crowns the new Miss Shelby County, Ella Kate will start her senior year at Auburn. She will earn a degree with a major in Human Development and Family Science in the Child Life option with a minor in Music Business. “I have always loved to sing and perform, which is why I chose this as my field of minor study, but my goal is to become a Child Life Specialist at a children’s hospital,” she says. “The thought of graduating is bittersweet, but I could not be more excited to enter my career field!” She’ll continue her work with Buckets of Smiles, making deliveries across Alabama as she advocates for childhood cancer research. “This year has been a blast, and I would love to be Miss Shelby County forever, but I am thrilled for whomever gets to serve this wonderful community next.”