From the community of Sibley County

She is currently entering her junior year at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she is pursuing a dual academic path toward a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and a Master’s in Advanced Dental Therapy. Her academic experience is further enriched through her involvement in the MSU Honors Program, where she strives for continued excellence and personal growth.

She is passionate about helping others succeed, which is reflected in her role as a peer mentor and anatomy and physiology tutor. In addition to her studies, she works as a phlebotomist in a hospital and as a dental assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience in patient care and compassion.

 

As a former Sibley County Queen, she remains actively connected to her community and enjoys participating in Sibley County Fair events. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, baking, crocheting, trying new matcha recipes, and spending time with family and friends.

She is most excited to participate in the AAO program to continue growing her leadership skills, reconnect with former royalty, and build a network of new friendships with women from across the state of Minnesota.

Nancy Weatherup is a distinguished leader whose career has been defined by strategic management and a lifelong dedication to civic service. A proud alumna of the pageant community, she was a candidate for Queen of the Lakes in 1976. That experience sparked an enduring passion for mentorship, leadership, and advocacy that has guided her ever since.

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Nancy has built a successful career in the financial services industry, most recently serving in a corporate management role with LPL Financial. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has devoted many years to the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Organization as the State Field Director of Operations and Recruiting. In this role, she has mentored and advised countless young women, helping them develop the confidence, leadership skills, and resilience needed to succeed both personally and professionally.

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Her appointment as Aquatennial Commodore is more than an honor, it is a full-circle moment that celebrates where her journey began while looking ahead to the future. It represents the culmination of decades of community engagement, combining her executive leadership experience with her unwavering belief in the transformative power of mentorship, civic pride, and leadership development.

 

Nancy believes that leadership is not about the title you hold, but about the impact you have on those who follow. Throughout her year of service, she plans to place a strong emphasis on mentorship, encouraging young people to find their voices, strengthen their leadership abilities, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Through partnerships and public initiatives, she envisions the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization as a launchpad for the next generation of Minnesota leaders.

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Nancy resides in Roseville, Minnesota, and is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren, who are the loves of her life.

From the community of Montgomery 

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Neysa Anderson is a 19-year-old from Montgomery, Minnesota, who recently completed her first year at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a degree in Nursing with double minors in Leadership and Healthcare Management.

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A graduate of Tri-City United High School, Neysa was actively involved in volleyball, dance, golf, student council, and the National Honor Society, and she served as Class President. She demonstrated strong leadership through roles such as captain of both the volleyball and dance teams, President of Student Council, Public Relations Officer for National Honor Society, and Student Representative on the School Board.

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Neysa dedicated significant time to volunteer work through her school organizations and church, reflecting her passion for service and helping others. She was honored to represent her community as the 2024 Kolacky Queen and values the friendships, experiences, and community connections gained through that role.

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She enjoys spending time with family and friends and looks forward to continuing her education while serving others through a future career in nursing. Neysa is especially looking forward to Aquatennial Week, particularly the Alumni Boat Cruise, where she hopes to connect with alumni, learn from their experiences, and build friendships with others who share a passion for community involvement.

Terra Lembeck has proudly called Belle Plaine home for the past 10 years, where she lives with her partner, Chris. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is the proud mom of three adult children: Zachary, Lucas, and Natalie. 

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For the past decade, Terra has dedicated her time to the Jordan Ambassador Program, where she is passionate about helping young women discover their confidence, develop leadership skills, and find their voice through public speaking. Watching participants grow into strong, capable leaders is one of her greatest joys. 

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Beyond her work in Jordan, Terra has served as a judge for ambassador and coronation programs across Minnesota, supporting communities that share her commitment to youth leadership. Whether she’s mentoring, judging, or cheering on the next generation, Terra believes in creating opportunities for young women to grow, lead with confidence, and make a lasting impact in their communities. 

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Terra believes that ambassador programs are about so much more than crowns and titles—they are about building confidence, developing lifelong friendships, serving others, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. She is honored to continue giving back to a program that has given so much to countless young women and looks forward to serving the Minneapolis Aquatennial with the same enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication that have guided her throughout the past 10 years. 

From the community of Anoka 

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Sydney DeRung proudly represents her hometown of Anoka. She is currently a student at St. Norbert College, where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

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Sydney works at A Plus, a childcare program for elementary-aged students, where she enjoys making a positive impact in the lives of children. In her free time, she loves baking, photography, swimming, and hiking.

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She is passionate about giving back to her community through volunteer work with children’s organizations, including The Penguin Project, and also enjoys volunteering with the Animal Humane Society.

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Sydney is most excited to be a part of the AAO because it provides her with the opportunity to proudly represent her hometown, meet inspiring young women from across the state, and build meaningful, lasting friendships.

For the past 25 years, Nickie Sabo has helped young women discover their confidence, leadership potential, and passion for community service. A 1996 Sibley County Princess herself, Nickie’s own ambassador experience inspired a lifelong commitment to creating those same opportunities for others. Just two weeks after her own wedding, she stepped in as an emergency backup to help with the Gibbon Royalty coronation ceremony. What was thought to be a one-time favor quickly became a lifelong passion.

Since 2001, Nickie has served as a Director of the Gibbon Royalty Program, helping transform it into a program centered on leadership, volunteerism, and scholarships. Throughout her years of service, she has also built a lasting connection with the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization—one that has resulted in multiple Gibbon candidates earning the title of Aquatennial Princess.

Professionally, Nickie is the Marketing Manager for BLUE HAWK Cooperative, a national purchasing cooperative supporting independent HVAC distributors. She is also a past Board President of the national Cooperative Communicators Association.

Nickie and her husband, Ryan, who also gives back to the Gibbon community as a volunteer firefighter, have two children. Their daughter, Rylee, is a labor and delivery nurse at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, and their son, Carter, serves as a Specialist and Armor Crewman in the Minnesota National Guard.

Nickie is honored to step into the role of Aquatennial Captain and continue creating opportunities for young women to discover their confidence, embrace leadership, and realize their full potential.