This annual event finds its roots in the magical kingdom of Quivira ruled currently by King Thomas W. Osborne and his Queen Halley Acklie Ostergard. Their reign will continue until October 11, 2008 when the 112th King and Queen will be announced as part of the Coronation Ball production. Chosen for their community service and leadership, these royals are following in the footsteps of a rich tradition that began in 1895.

Also recognized during this event are outstanding leaders from around the Heartland. Princesses, Countesses, Escorts, and Pages represent their families who are being honored for their contributions to the region. Press Releases listing the 2007 members of the Court can be found in the Knights Press Room.

The Court of Honor Recognition Award is also distributed at the Ball. Recipients from throughout the region are recognized for one of the following eight categories: agriculture, arts, business and industry, education, philanthropy, professions, public service, and sports.

The annual Coronation Ball raises money for the Ak-Sar-Ben Youth Scholarship Fund.  This year, Ak-Sar-Ben will partner with the Horatio Alger Scholarship Program to provide 50 scholarships to deserving students from Nebraska and Western Iowa. The Coronation Ball is broadcast by Cox Communications with the opportunity to view the Ball anytime on Cox OnDemand. 

Recently a new endowment program has been established that will allow individuals, Foundations, and corporations to make a tax deductible contribution and sponsor a scholarship. All levels of giving are available. For more details, click here.

The event is organized by 19 volunteer women who serve three year terms as members of the Women's Ball Committee. For a listing of the committee, click here.

Current Royalty Information

Thomas W. Osborne is a man known as a Husker sports icon.  The new King is currently teaching leadership classes in the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Osborne left his political career on January 3, 2007 after completing three terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Nebraska’s 3rd District.  Best known nationwide as the former head football coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1973 through the 1997 season, he led the Huskers to 25 consecutive bowl games, 13 conference championships and three national championships (1994, 1995, and 1997).

His Royal consort, Halley Acklie Ostergard attends Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont and will graduate with a political science major and a minor in Spanish in May of 2009.  During the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006, she completed her freshman year abroad at St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland.  While at St. Andrews, she was a member of the St. Andrews Philosophy Society and the St. Andrews Film Society.  Currently at Middlebury, she is a member of the Dean’s List and this year is serving as President of the Middlebury Parliamentary Debate Team.  This past year, she was selected for consideration for the 2007 Ward Prize at Middlebury for excellence in writing which will be awarded this fall.  Ms. Ostergard is the daughter of Tonn and Holly Ostergard of Lincoln.