Through all of the obstacles that Abbey (Bernhardt) Fredenburgh has overcome as a young adult to become a first-year student at Western Nevada College and earn the title of Miss Lyon County, three things have remained most important in her life: family, friends and education.
As a child, Fredenburgh was ostracized in school because of learning challenges and mental health issues. Lacking support and understanding from teachers and administrators, repeated bullying from classmates and the culmination of being “different” depressed Fredenburgh and made her attempt suicide.Fortunately, Fredenburgh received a second chance at life and was surrounded by family members who cared about her, encouraged her to persevere and convinced her that being different was going to make her stronger as a person.