FAIRBURY - Fairbury resident Amanda Snook was recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2020 in Clay Center on Jan. 11.

Snook was presented her crown by Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2019, Aubrey Freeze Zens, who's from Clay Center. Snook was chosen from a pool of three candidates.

Snook's role as Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska will be to advocate for those with disabilities around her community and across the state.

"At first, I was like, 'I don't see why this happened,'" Snook admitted. "Everyone said 'everything happens for a reason.' But now, it's like, 'Okay. Maybe I was meant to use my voice and my positivity to get the word out about disability.'"

Snook suffered a spinal cord injury in auto accident near her home about two years ago. While she admits adjusting to life in a wheelchair was difficult at first, she wants others to see that her life is still a fruitful one.

"I'm still a mom to three crazy boys," she said. "I go out and play football with my youngest. We still play catch. You just...you know, you do it a little differently."

Snook was born and raised in Fairbury, where she lives today with husband of 14 years, Brian. Together, they have three boys - Daxton, Jace and Wesley. Amanda's parents are Deb and Mike Holes, of Fairbury.

Snook is hoping to raise $2,000 so she can qualify for Ms. Wheelchair USA in Little Rock, AR in August.