Being Miss Northwestern Ohio

Pack Your Cyber Bags!

2005-11-10T00:13:00.000-05:00

A new title also means a new Blog!

Please move with me to Being Miss Maumee Valley.

(For the record, we're at just under 4,000 hits, but it's time to start over.)

Forensics: Bloomsburg PR Kit

2005-11-09T18:52:00.000-05:00

While I was competing at Miss Maumee Valley, my Forensics team was busy competing in Bloomsburg Pennsylvania at the very prestigious Mad-Hatter Forensics tournament. The past two days I have been busy fulfilling my PR chair duties and so far my press kit [below] has resulted in an article in Bowling Green’s Sentinel Tribune. Hopefully more will follow.

PRESS KIT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 07, 2005

BGSU’s Forensics (speech and performance) Team Earns Fourteen Feet of Success!

This past weekend Bowling Green State University’s Forensics (speech, debate and competitive performance) team swept the prestigious thirty-seventh annual Mad-Hatter tournament at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Details are below:

-BGSU was awarded the First Place Over-all Team Sweepstakes.

-First Place includes a fourteen foot traveling trophy which BGSU will house for the next year. (A large enough display location is yet to be determined.)

-Recent trophy bearers include Cornell University, George Mason University, St. Joseph’s University and the University of Akron.

-Only a third of BGSU’s team was available to compete at this tournament.

-Eighteen of their twenty events placed, ninety percent.

-Among members of Pi Kappa Delta Forensics Honorary, BGSU was also awarded First Place.

-Other participants included: 2nd Place-Kent State University, 3rd Place- Ohio University, 4th Place- Akron University, 5th Place- Grove City College, 6th Place- Brookdale University, Fairmont State University, Cedar Crest University, Lock Haven College, Towson College and West Virginia University.

Individual team results are as follows:

Kenny Rogers was the Top Speaker at this tournament, earning first place among those competing with at least five events (Pentathlon):

1st place in Dramatic Duo Interpretation
2nd place in After Dinner Speaking
3rd place in Prose Interpretation
4th place in Persuasive Speaking6th place in Impromptu Speaking

BGSU PKD President Michelle Baker:
1st place in Persuasive Speaking1st place in Rhetorical Criticism
2nd place in Extemporaneous Speaking
3rd place in Dramatic Interpretation
5th place in Informative Speaking

Overall, Michelle placed 3rd among those competing with at least five events (Pentathlon).

Jennifer Cole:
1st place in Dramatic Duo Interpretation
3rd place in After Dinner Speaking
3rd place in Impromptu Speaking

BGSU PKD Vice President Sarah Griffith:
2nd place in Dramatic Interpretation
3rd place in Informative Speaking

Novice Sarah Smith:
1st place in Informative Speaking
4th place in After Dinner Speaking

-Photos taken on location are attached; steps are also in progress to set the trophy up on campus and take photos with President Sidney A. Ribeau and Provost John W. Folkins.

-This weekend the team will travel south to compete in Kentucky’s “Friendly Swing,” two tournaments hosted in one weekend by Berea and Cumberland Colleges.

-Watch for additional information to be released from the University’s office of Marketing and Communications.

Thank you,
Abby Bollenbacher
PKD PR Chair, BGSU Forensics

Webshots Update!

2005-11-08T02:23:00.000-05:00

As promised, I have some photos from Miss Lake Erie and Miss Maumee Valley, but they are not great quality. Red-eye was a big problem, but I am still awaiting another role of film which will hopefully be better. As always, if you are in one of these photos and do not want to be, or if information in my captions are incorrect, please let me know. Also, I would love to add more photos if anyone would like to share theirs!

[Above L-R: 3rd RU Kristen Haas, 1st RU Katie Camp, I am Miss Maumee Valley, 2nd RU Allie Krucek and 4th RU Rachel Maris]

Click to HERE veiw all of my Webshots.

[Below L-R: 1st RU Jodi Greene, Miss Lake Erie Leslie Ondry and I am 2nd RU]

Miss Maumee Valley in Review!

2005-11-07T02:15:00.000-05:00

the morning

Saturday I reaped the benefits of being only fifteen minutes away from the pageant location! Indeed, 7:30 is a much better start than 4 or 5 a.m. Once at the facility, I just marveled. The Maumee Country Day School is a private institution, and it showed! The theatre was very new and wonderful to perform in.

the conflict

In order to pass my Senior Seminar course and graduate from BGSU with a degree in theatre I was required to participate in “Majors Event,” a mock theatrical audition or technical interview. Of course, it is always held the same weekend as a pageant and a very important Forensics tournament at Bloomsburg University. When I first realized the conflict, I thought maybe it would be easier not to compete; to have to get the permission, to have to explain it to others. Then I thought about how silly that would be… I knew if I didn’t compete I would be there as an audience member regretting it, especially since Majors Event took only 45 minutes of round trip driving and about 10 minutes of being in BG. So, thankfully the Miss Ohio office cleared it due to its academic nature. Actually, because I was most focused on the pageant, and frankly gave two-hoots about Majors Event, it went very well. I felt bad for my nervous classmates, but took a moment to learn from the benefits of being calm in such a situation.

the contestants

Back up in Maumee, I enjoyed spending time with the other contestants. Some I had seen last weekend, others I will see this coming weekend as they compete at Miss Northwestern Ohio, and as always, it was great to meet new people. I was bumbed that Carissa Cook and Kara Roberts didn’t make it as originally planned, but it was so awesome to see former Miss Northwestern Ohio Jill Burkholder again! Actually, there were Miss NWOs everywhere! There was Jill and I, co-emcees Betsey Wagener and Jeana Jones and one of the judges.
I digress, the contestants (in order) were as follows:

#1. Jill Burkholer, she performed a hilarious comic spoof and attends the University of Toledo. I believe her platform has to do with disabilities awareness.
#2. Sophia Davis, she performed a lyrical dance and attend Miami University. Unfortunately, I don’t recall her platform.
#3. Mellissa Marksberry, she performed a vocal from Miss Saigon and she attends Bowling Green State University. Mell promotes how fabulous women are and how bad domestic violence is.
#4. Janelle Zindorski, she amazes everyone by playing the bag pipes, then singing. She is yet another BGSU Falcon. She promotes “Embracing our children,” though I’m not exactly sure was angle that takes.
#5. Jodi Greene, she sang the jazzy tune “Big Time” and attends Ohio State University. Jodi promotes blood and plasma donation.
#6. absent
#7. Rachel Maris, she sang Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Whistle Down the Wind” and attends Ohio Northern University. She promotes early childhood eye exams.
#8. Katie Camp, she tap danced to “Sandman” and attends Wright State University. Unfortunately, I do not recall her platform.
#9. absent
#10. Abby Bollenbacher, I sang “Funny Honey” from Chicago and attend BGSU. I promote methods for more successful higher education.
#11. Jessica Wiseman, she plays “Danny Boy” on the flute and attends Kent State University. Jessica’s platform has to do with supporting our troops.
#12. Heather Strickland, she interprets the Maya Angelou poem “Phenomenal Woman” and also attends Kent State University. She promotes the D.A.R.E. program.
#13. Jennifer Dalton, she performed a ballet and is a medical student at Ohio State University. Unfortunately, I do not recall her platform.
#14. Kristen Haas, she performed a jazz dance to Whitney Houston’s “Dance with Somebody” and is yet another BGSU Falcon. I believe her platform is preventing heart disease.
#15. Allie Krucek, she performed a jazz dance to “Bye Bye Black Bird” and attends the University of Toledo. I believe her platform has something to do with children’s health.

the judges

Barb Stevens, a former E.D.
Ruth Kessen, choreographer for Toledo’s Manhattan Dance Company
Michael Coyle, a Maumee City Councilperson
Jean Wilber, a former E.D.
Jerily Hollis, a strong background is charity work and music
Susan Shain Short, the original Miss Northwestern Ohio and Miss Michigan 1974
Melissa Jenkins, a former contestant and E.D.

the thank-yous

First and foremost, all the contestants were awesome. It’s so much fun to compete in a low-drama environment! Also, I want to pass along that one of the judges shared with me that we all gave some of the best interviews she’s ever heard and it was extremely close and competitive. Special thanks to the stage manager, Dottie, I believe it was, and her crew. To our lovely emcee’s Jeana and Betsey, it was so great to catch up with both of them. Special thanks to donors, Fairfield Collision, Leslie Norris Townsend, the Donna Jenkins Memorial, Emery’s Flowers, Gallippo’s, Theresa Ann’s and the Miss Maumee Valley Program. Speaking of, congratulation to Eric and Linda Wagner for a third wonderful year! Also, to auditor Jan Moll, field director Kim Saunders and board President, Steven Oliveri. Thanks to the Manhattan Dance Company for the wonderful entertainment, hopefully they’ll be back on the Miss Ohio stage this June. Also, thanks to Miss West Central Ohio Pam Roessnor for donating a beautifully decorated crown box. Thank you to those who came to watch, Shirley LeMaster, Nancy and Tiffany Wheeler, Lauren Hogan and especially, my wonderful boyfriend and parents.

My apologies for whatever I’m forgetting… photos will be coming soon!

An Issue with Sally!

2005-11-07T01:08:00.000-05:00

This is actually a continuation of the Miss Maumee Valley post, however, I feel it is a topic of pertinence which deserves more attention.

Whether you are anchoring the local news, performing in a play or competing in a pageant, the lights which glare down on you are a force to be reckoned with! Therefore, makeup and garment material must be selected carefully. Additionally, a healthy glow helps you from becoming victim to the wash-out theses lights can create. So it's no secret that most pageant contestants tan themselves in one way or another.

The latest, greatest product on the market is called Sally Hansen’s Airbrushed Legs. It is *fabulous.* Marketed as “spray on pantyhose” it comes in five shades and creates a tan and evens skin tone. You can redress less than five minutes after application and it washes off easily with soap and water.

The problem is that most bathroom floors don’t really want a tan. :( At Miss Ohio, it hasn’t been a big deal the past two years because the bathroom there is already a peachish color and a tad grungy. Despite contestants love for it, directors at the local level are not so smitten. At the past two locals I’ve competed in, janitors have been appalled upon discovering the gentle mist of orange in the bathroom. My fellow contestants tell me it has been problematic at other locals this fall as well.

This past weekend at Maumee Valley, even though we [the contestants] put a few large pieces of plastic down on the floor, there was still an unfavorable mess at the nights end. This morning at breakfast with my new E.D.’s, Eric and Linda, my mom suggested they ban the product. Don’t worry contestants, I shrieked NO!!!

But seriously, its one of those petty things that does need addressed. As I ponder it, I can’t help but amuse myself by envisioning a completely plastic-clad room, as if the pageant system had captured E.T. or something! Like most things in life, it boils down to respect. I hope E.D.’s will continue to respect our need for this product, but contestants must continue to come up with ways of applying it that respects the facilities they’re in.

Miss Maumee Valley!

2005-11-06T00:10:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a day! I am so excited to announce that tonight I was crowned the third Miss Maumee Valley! Congratulations to everyone who competed, the results were as follows:

4th Runner-up: Rachel Maris
3rd Runner-up: Kristen Haas
2nd Runner-up: Allie Krucek
1st Runner-up: Katie Camp
I won Miss Maumee Valley, talent and interview awards

I will write more and post pictures tomorrow, for now, it’s time for bed!

Come to Miss Maumee Valley

2005-11-04T18:26:00.000-05:00

Join the pageant frenzy and come to the Miss Maumee Valley Scholarship pageant tomorrow night a 7 p.m. The following contestants (in alphebetical order) will be competing at the Maumee Country Day School:

Abby Bollenbacher

Jill Burkholder

Katie Camp

Carissa Cook

Jennifer Dalton

Sophia Davis

Jodi Greene

Kristen Haas

Allie Krucek

Rachel Maris

Melissa Marksberry

Kara Roberts

Heather Strickland

Jessica Wiseman

Janelle Zindorski

For more information visit the Miss Maumee Valley website.

Miss Maumee Valley Elizabeth Davis was a talent winner and Miss Ohio top-ten finalist, I wish her much congratulations as she is now performing in a play which will help her in receiving her Equity Card. (Actors Equity is the union for stage performers.) In her absence, Miss Maumee Valley 2004 (and Miss Northwestern Ohio 2003), Jeana Jones will crown the new winner. [The photo of Elizabeth and Jeana can be found on the website above.]

Miss Lake Erie in Review

2005-11-01T23:58:00.000-05:00

Well there’s good news and bad news… the bad news is that I still feel like crap. The good news is that this Blog has received over a hundred hits since the last post! I have to imagine many were people wanting to read about Miss Lake Erie. Sorry to keep you all waiting, but I have been too busy coughing and sniffling to write.

As for last Saturday, my day began at 5 a.m.! Once at Twinsburg High School Miss Lake Erie Executive Director, James Grimes gave us the low-down on the low-key day we would have. Those of us who aren’t dancers fell at his feet when he said there would be no opening number, rather Kristi’s dancers would perform, then we [the contestants] would introduce ourselves and compete in casual wear. I personally think that every local should take note of this! Since casual wear adds another phase of competition and costume change, using it instead of an opening number outfit is so smart.

James believes in giving contestants as much down time as possible. Interviews began at 1 p.m.; contestants had the option of going through their talent onstage once before and once after their interview. Other than that, all we had to do was be ready for the show at 7:15. It gave us a lot of time hang out and get to know each other, which was great as many of us will see each other again this weekend at Maumee Valley and three of the contestants are also competing next weekend when I give up my title at Northwestern Ohio.

Another nice thing about Miss Lake Erie was that the interviews were right there in the same facility. Also, unlike Miss Ohio where everyone is secretive about their interviews, just about everyone sat around comparing interview questions. The judges seemed to be big on asking multiple women the same question. Several were asked to look around the room and select an object that they were like. Others of us were asked to tell the judges something about ourselves that isn’t on our paperwork and that no one knows. While some interviews can be unnecessarily serious, most of us reported having an upbeat time with these judges. They were as follows:

-Greg Davis, executive director of Miss Portsmouth
-Melissa Jenkins, former co-executive director
-Perry Hall, husband of Miss Ohio Board member, Kay Hall
-Jennifer Cicarrelli, a novice judge with experience in music therapy and working with special needs children
-John Michael Lander, former executive director, Mr. America, actor and model
-Becky Kiesel, former Miss Medina Lorain
-Marvin Reynolds, a novice judge to MAO who had pageantry and makeup artist experience in Florida

Miss Lake Erie was also a reunion of sorts, regarding both the backstage assistants and the entertainment. Former Miss Ohio top-five finalists Katie Kauppila was a friendly face during the interview; she was the person who walked us in and out of the room and introduced us. Also helping us throughout the day was former contestant, Melanie Dansko and Miss Ohio Swim Suit winner, Kim Baker. All three ladies are now married, but I do not know their new last names. It was so wonderful having the three of them around; every pageant provides great assistance backstage, but a former contestant brings a certain amount of knowledge that I really appreciated. Specifically, I have Kim Baker to thank for my evening gown up-do!

Similarly, it was great to have all three former Miss Lake Erie’s there. The program cover read “A Night of Three Diva’s,” which meant Miss Ohio top-ten finalist, Bryn River Hough, Miss Ohio 2004, Amanda Beagle and Miss Ohio 2005, Marlia Fountain. Special thanks to Bryn who bartered with me, I let her use the stool I sit on during my talent to sing “Ice Cream,” and she gave me some cold medicine that she swears by! The entertainment also included Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen, Ali Nance. As it turns out, she and I have the same interview suit, so we compared feeling like a snow princess while we’re in it. She’s too cute.

As for the contestants, we were as follows:
*Please note, I neglected to get a program from my mom after the pageant and I did not see everyone rehearse their talents; some of the information below is from several other websites. I apologize to those whose talents and platforms I do not recall, or have incorrect, feel free to leave a comment with correct information.

1. absent
2. Emily Cousino, a vocalist who sang the country song “God Fearin’ Women”; she promotes something to do with emergency preparedness, I think
3. Katelyn Koval, a tap dancer; she promotes Early Childhood Development
4. absent
5. Abby Bollenbacher, a vocalist who sang “Funny Honey” from Chicago; she promotes Higher Education Success
6. Amy Allen, a vocalist who sang “Misery;” she promotes Cultural Diversity
7. Allie Krucek, a jazz dancer; she promotes Children’s Health
8. Brittney Brinkman, a vocalist who sang a Broadway number; unfortunately I do not know her platform
9. Jodi Green, a vocalist who sang “Orange Colored Sky;” her platform is Together we can Save Lives
10. Janelle Zindrowski, she performed Irish melodies both on the bagpipes and vocally; she promotes Embracing Our Children to Secure our Future
11. Andrea Andryscik, a vocalist who sings “Fever;” she promotes Youth Suicide Prevention
12. Leslie Ondrey, an opera singer performing “Nessun Dorma;” she promotes the music program, C.L.E.F. (Communicate, Legislate, Educate and Fund)
13. Heather Strickland, she performs an interpretation of the poem “Phenominal Women;” she promotes the D.A.R.E. program
14. Brianna Savoca, a vocalist who sang Britney Spears’ “Not a Girl;” unfortunately I do not know her platform
15. absent

To the best of my knowledge, everything ran smoothly, there were no catastrophes, unless of course you count the displeased custodial worker upon seeing the bathroom floor where we all sprayed our ‘Sally Hansen’s Fake Leg spray.’ At the evenings end Marlia presented James with a guitar autographed by Josh Groban and debuted her Miss America talent, “Impossible Dream.” Again, the results were swim suit, talent and title winner, Leslie Ondrey, spirit award, interview and first runner-up, Jodi Green and I received second runner-up.
[Above, Leslie models her evening gown at Miss Ohio; photo by J.J. Moylet of the Mansfield News Journal.]

Congrats to James and his crew for a wonderful pageant, to the beautiful Leslie for her third crown and best of luck to Marlia as she continues to prepare for Miss America!

Hopefully I will have photos from the pageant to post soon.

Congratulations to the New Miss Lake Erie, Leslie Ondrey!

2005-10-30T12:18:00.000-05:00

After an awesome day in Twinsburg with eleven beautiful, talented, intelligent women, Leslie Ondrey secured her third trip to Miss Ohio as Miss Lake Erie, as well as the talent and swimsuit awards. Jodi Green was honored with first runner-up, the interview and spirit awards. For the first time ever, I placed! I usually win the title or nothing at all, but last night I received second runner-up.

My placement was despite suffering from a cold all day long… I even had to take a tissue into my interview. :( From the exhaustion of yesterday, today I feel ten times worse and am very medicined-up, so this is it for now. I’ll write much more later.

Forensics Press Release

2005-10-28T14:53:00.000-05:00

October 28, 2005
For Immediate Release

BGSU Forensics starts season strong, with most competitive tournaments yet to come

Forensics is BGSU’s competitive speech, debate and interpretive performance team, located within the Department of Theatre and Film. The team began the year by hosting the Falcon Classic, an annual tournament sponsored by Pi Kappa Delta Forensics Honorary. This was the largest Falcon Classic in its sixty-two year history, bringing twenty-two teams to our campus from six states.
While many team members helped operate the tournament, results of those who competed are as follows:

Novice, Sarah Griffith was the top PKD speaker and placed second overall in Impromptu Speaking.
Novice, David Fryling placed sixth in Impromptu Speaking.
Novice, Sarah Griffith was the top PKD speaker and placed second overal in Novice Prose Interpretaion.
Varsity, Kenny Rogers placed second in Varsity Prose Interpretation.
Varsity, Abby Bollenbacher was Top PKD speaker and placed fifth overall in Rhetorical Criticism.
Varsity, Abby Bollenbacher was the Top PKD speaker in Poetry Interpretation.
Varsity, Lew B. Smith and Abby Bollenbacher were the Top PKD speakers in Dramatic DUO Interpretation.

Next, primarily the novice team traveled to the Ohio Forensics Association’s Fall Workshop tournament, hosted this year by Muskingum College. Additionally, BGSU’s Forensics coach, Paul Wesley Alday is the current President of OFA.
Individual results of this tournament are as follows:

Novice, Sarah Smith place third in After-Dinner Speaking.
Novice, David Fryling placed fifth in Poetry Interpretation.
Novice, Kent Truckor placed fifth in Persuasive Speaking.
Novice, Kent Truckor placed sixth in Prose Interpretation.
Varsity, Michael Hensler placed sixth in Ohio’s experimental event, PR-Extemporaneous Speaking.

Most recently, the varsity team traveled to the University of Akron for the “Akron Rowdy” tournament, placing fifth overall.
Individual results are as follows:

Jennifer Cole and Kenny Rogers placed first Dramatic Duo Interpretation.
Lewis B. Smith and Abby Bollenbacher placed fifth in Dramatic Duo Interpretation.
Michelle Baker placed fourth in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Abby Bollenbacher placed second in Ohio’s experimental event, PR- Extemporaneous Speaking.
This tournament also offered a singing contest, “Akron Idol.” The audience voted Jennifer Cole first place and Abby Bollenbacher second.

The team has now turned its attention to the remaining tournaments of this semester. The first weekend of November the entire team will travel to Bloomsburg Pennsylvania for the very competitive “Mad-hatter Tournament.” Our last two tournaments of the semester will be ”swing tournaments,” meaning the team will compete in two tournaments in one weekend. At the end of November, the “Friendly Swing” takes place at Kentucky colleges, Berea and Cumberland; the following weekend will be Ohio’s “Holiday Frolic Swing” with tournaments at Otterbein College and Ohio State University.

Forensics Coach Named Master Teacher Finalist

Finally, Pi Kappa Delta Honorary and the Forensics team is proud to announce that coach, Paul Wesley Alday was a finalist for the Alumni Association’s Master Teacher Award. After being nominated by students, Alday was selected as a top-three finalists based on a half-hour video sample of his theatre teaching and Forensics coaching.

For interviews with coach Alday or any team member, please contact PKD PR Chair, Abby Bollenbacher- abbybol@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Yes... I'm finally competing!

2005-10-28T08:32:00.000-05:00

In a couple comments to other random posts, someone anonymous has asked if and when I was going to continue to compete. I began a lengthy reply about how I felt after Miss Ohio this year, and my contemplation about whether or not to compete and bla, bla, bla… But I never finished it.

The short answer is yes!

In fact, I am competing tomorrow in Twinsburg Ohio for the title of Miss Lake Erie and next weekend I will compete in my "own neck of the woods” at Miss Maumee Valley. So, hopefully, I will already have a new title when I give up my current one, Miss Northwestern Ohio, the weekend after Miss Maumee Valley. This could potentially be a crazy three weekends in a row!

For information about Miss Maumee Valley, visit their website and for information about all three, visit the Miss Ohio website.

Wish me luck!

Miss Stark County Photo Update

2005-10-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

The following photos from the Miss Stark County pageant were recently added to their website.

Above: Miss Ohio and former two-time Miss Stark County Marlia Fontaine crowns the new Miss Stark County Elyse Healey; Below L-R: Karissa Martin, second runner-up, Elyse Healey, Miss Stark County 2006, and Katelyn Koval, first runner-up.

Miss Ohio Fall Resource Forum

2005-10-24T02:02:00.000-05:00

Saturday I traveled to Lexington with Miss Northwestern Ohio’s Executive Directors Randy Schroeder and Amy Shaw, and Amy’s husband John and adorable baby Bradyn, for the Miss Ohio Fall Resource Forum.

In years past this event was an annual learning tool for contestants, but recently it has been only a mandatory meeting for E.D.’s. Last year the resource aspect for contestants, parents and judges was brought back.

I was not able to attend last year, and after Saturday I wish I had; the experience was very helpful. Workshops for the handful of contestants in attendance began with Danielle Turcola. Danielle was a Miss Ohio judge two years ago and is the president of Professional International, Inc. During her session we discussed first impressions, the importance of understanding and selecting colors, form and posture and "credibility robbers". Like all of the days presenters, she was extremely encouraging and positive. She closed by asserting that "your best asset is your character and character is who you are when no one is looking."

Next, James Grimes, E.D. of Miss Lake Erie and Local representative on the Miss Ohio Board, spoke on behalf of E.D.’s. His bottom line- submit contestatn paperwork early, for the sanity of all E.D.’s. James was followed by Rick Brinkley, Miss America’s National Judging Consultant. He single-handedly made getting up at 5:30 a.m. worthwhile for me!

Rick thoroughly explained the shift in the judging system. When he began volunteering with the Miss America Organization as a teenager over twenty-five years ago the talent competition was worth fifty percent, with interview, evening wear and swimsuit ranked at sixteen and two-thirds percent each. Over the years as talent percentages were decrease, so was the talented caliber of women who competed. Thus, less and less talents were featured on the national telecast. Additionally, as the private interview percentages were increased, audiences became confused. Rick described how women with incredible interviews could create such a gap in the scoring that despite less than par onstage competition, consistent contestants could never close the gap. Ultimately, winners were being crowned in the interview room, leaving audiences scratching their heads. The current scoring system is designed to reduce the ability for one phase of competition to create such a gap, and the final ballot ensures selection of a consistent contestant who the judges feel can do the job.

He then explained how each phase of competition is a process of finding the best person for the job. For example, swim suit is not merely about having the best body, but also about a contestant’s ability to handle awkward situations. Rick said often times contestants focus on each specific area of competition, rather than the overall picture.

He went on to share many helpful ways to handle and be successful during the interview. I especially enjoyed his anecdotes about former and even our current Miss America and his personal experiences as a judge. In closing, he articulated how wanting a crown or the PR is not what the program is about- it’s about doing the work, using the power for good and understanding the influence you have.

I could go on forever about the wonderful advice and insight he gave, but hey, I had to go two hours and pay ten dollars for it! Besides, my boyfriend says I write more than anyone could ever possibly read on this Blog, so I’ll move on…

Next we spent some time with our beautiful and talented Miss Ohio, Marlia Fontaine. She spoke about a variety of things including interview, casual wear and swim suit. More than anything specific, Marlia’s overall attitude is so inspirational. She believes in “giving up a little bit to have more in the end.” Let me just say, her willingness to get up at 6 a.m. everyday to meet with her trainer shows!

Marlia was followed by her voice coach Girrard Steward who spoke about talent. His advice- pick your talent like you pick your dress. Meaning, you have to know yourself and select what you feel most comfortable and confident with. He discouraged rushing yourself in finding the perfect talent piece and gave suggestions of where find possibilities. Finally, he did an astonishing, and frankly embarrassing exercise with us. We were asked to go around the room and state how much money we spent on our various pieces of competition wardrobe. These prices were added together and averaged by the six of us in attendance at that point; the figures were as follows: interview suit- $170, swim suit- $130, evening gown- $830, casual wear- $120. Then he reminded us that talent now comprises the largest amount of our scoring and asked how much we spend on talent training and our accompaniment tracks. The average, only $45. Ouch.

Finally we met with John Michael Lander, former Miss Greater Dayton E.D. and current Mr. America, for modeling and stage presence. I absolutely loved this session! John Michael has training in theatre, so many of his ideas felt right at home to me. We practiced introducing ourselves, how to hold ourselves and walking. His session was very positive and he shared his motto, “LUG,” meaning “love the moment,” “uniqueness,” and “glamour.”

And with all that, I feel I left Lexington Elementary School a better contestant with a clearer mind regarding the system. It was great to see those I already know and meet new people. Special thanks to the Miss Ohio Board for putting this event on, to the vendors and especially to John and Amy for the ride!

Webshots Update!

2005-10-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Propelled by the need to submit photos for the Miss Northwestern Ohio Program Book, I have finally updated my Webshots with the last of my Miss Ohio photos.

For these photos I owe much thanks to Jerry Deitsch of the Miss Lake Festival program. Throughout my Miss Ohio experience he has provided me with wonderful photographs from all four nights of competition.

Click below to view my Miss Ohio 2005 competition photos:

2005: Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant: Album 3 of 3

...I am so disappointed...

2005-10-20T23:31:00.000-05:00

Click here to find out why.

A TV Airing Date for Miss America: January 21

2005-10-19T22:59:00.000-05:00

The following letter was emailed to contestants and local executive directors from Miss Ohio's secretary. This letter states a "city/venue...has not yet been signed," but rumor has it the pageant will be held in Las Vegas.
That's right, Vegas Baby, Vegas.
Maybe.

October 17, 2005

Dear State Executive Directors:

Although we are still in negotiations with regard to a new host city/venue, and an agreement has not yet been signed, I am happy to let all of you know that CMT has chosen a date for our next pageant. The 2006 Miss America Pageant will air live on CMT on Saturday night, January 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

For the first time in many years, I can say that we are very excited about our show being on a Saturday night. Fridays and Saturdays are the least competitive nights for broadcast television. In the cable world, it is much different. Saturday night is currently CMT's highest rated night and has been on the rise for the past three years.

Additionally, CMT's enthusiasm and promotional support for our show will be unprecedented. As you know, they have already switched into high gear with the creation of our contestant profiles, Miss America content for CMT.com, interviews for the CMT Radio Network and planning for cross-promotional opportunities across the Viacom network channels.

I know that there is a lot of talk going on out there with regard to a potential new host city, but please understand that a deal has NOT been signed, so any discussions at this point are premature. As soon as we have reached an agreement with our new host city/venue, an announcement will be issued immediately.

Thanks again for your patience and support.

Sincerely,

Art McMaster
President and CEO
The Miss America Organization

Forensics: Akron Rowdy

2005-10-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

Saturday I traveled with my fellow varsity Forensics teammates to the University of Akron’s “Rowdy Tournament.” I have to first say that I have been to a lot of campuses around the Midwest and Akron was one of the most beautiful. Now, onto our team results:

Extemporaneous Speaking
Michelle Baker- 4th place

Dramatic Duo Interpretation
Kenny Rogers & Jennifer Cole- 1st place
Lewis B. Smith & I- 5th place

PR Extemporaneous
I received 2nd place

Akron Idol
(an American Idol knock-off)
Jennifer Cole AKA J*Cole AKA Hollywood Cole- 1st place, bringing the house down with “At Last”
I tied for 2nd place, performing my Miss Ohio talent
I simply must give honorable mention to our teams non-singer Lewis B. Smith who perfectly performed “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts”

Over all BGSU was 5th at the tournament.

Special thanks to our coaches Paul Alday and Tony Wise.

Congratulations to the New Miss Clayland, Kasey Wilson!

2005-10-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

From the Times-Reporter:

Granville teen wins Clayland pageant

UHRICHSVILLE – Kasey Wilson, 19, of Granville was crowned the 2006 winner of the 50th Miss Clayland Scholarship Program at the pageant Saturday night.

Wilson was awarded the $2,500 Miss Clayland scholarship.

She also won an additional $500 scholarship at the Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State University at New Philadelphia.

For her operatic performance of “Time to Say Goodbye,” Wilson received the $250 Ray King Talent Award.

I hear it was a wonderful show and celebration of the pageant’s fiftieth year. The beautiful Julie Beth Imboden gave up the title of Miss Clayland for a second time. Her first time as Miss Clayland I believe Julie made the Top Ten, and I am certain this past June at Miss Ohio she was Third Runner-up.

Much congratulations winner Kasey Wilson, who was a Top Ten finalist at Miss Ohio last year as Miss Licking County.

First Runner-up honors went to vocalist, Karissa Martin.

Also congratulations to Second Runner-up, dancer, Kara Roberts who won the "Best Smile" awards voted on by the audience.

As the article about states, Kasey won the Talent Award; the Interview Award went to Sophia Davis.

I have yet to hear who the audience awarded with "Prettiest Eyes."

Congrats to all!

Pageant Press: 17 women to vie for 50th Miss Clayland title

2005-10-14T23:22:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow as I compete in a Forensics tournament at the University of Akron, seventeen young women will compete in Uhrchsville for the title of Miss Clayland. An article about the event from the Times Reporter is below. Best of luck to all!

17 women to vie for 50th Miss Clayland title

UHRICHSVILLE – One area woman is among the 17 contestants who will be vying for the title of Miss Clayland 2006, the contest’s 50th winner, during the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program Oct. 15 at Claymont High. Advance tickets for the event, which begins at 7, are on sale at Twin City Pharmacy in Dennison. Tickets also will be available at the door.

The women will compete for $5,300 in scholarships and the opportunity to represent the Miss Clayland program at the Miss Ohio Pageant.

The program began in 1957 when Marquita McKillop was crowned the first Miss Clayland.

“We are pleased that we have been able to carry on the tradition started by other volunteers in our community,” said Martha Campbell, executive director of the program.
Contestants are as follows:

– Brittany Brinkman, 21, is a vocalist. She is the daughter of Randal and Julie Brinkman of New Philadelphia and a student at the University of Akron. Her platform is “Non Illicit Drug Awareness – Stopping It Before It Gets to the Counter.”

– Amy Allen, 21, is a vocalist from Akron. She attends Mount Vernon Nazarene College, and her platform is “Empowering Minorities to Further Their Education.”

– Katie Camp, 18, is a dancer from Newark who attends Wright State University. She has chosen “Mentoring through the Arts” as her platform.

– Roberta Camp, 21, is a vocalist from Orient. She attends Columbus State Community College, and her platform is “Change our World: Build Character.”

– Carissa Cook, 20, is a dancer from Wintersville and a student at Ohio University. She has selected “The Gift of Life Organ Donation Awareness, Education and Promotion” as her platform.

– Sophia Davis, 19, is a dancer from Pickerington. She is a student at Miami University, and “Every Child Counts: Improving Self Esteem” is her platform.

– Jessica Evans, 19, is a vocalist from Wheelersburg. She attends Shawnee State University and has chosen “S.H.I.E.L.D.” as her platform.

– Jodi Greene, 23, is a vocalist from Columbus. She attends Ohio State University and has selected “Together We Can Save a Life: The Importance of Blood and Plasma Donation” as her platform.

– Kristen Haas, 19, is a dancer from Rocky River and a student at Bowling Green State University. She has chosen “Preventing Heart Disease in Women by Maintaining Lifelong Physical Fitness” as her platform.

– Allie Krucek, 20, a dancer from North Canton, is a student at the University of Toledo. Her platform is “Advocating Children's Health.”

– Karissa Martin, 17, is a vocalist from Woodsfield. She is home-schooled and has chosen “Skin Cancer Awareness for a Second Generation” as her platform.

– Brittney Poole, 17, is a dancer from Wintersville, who attends Steubenville Catholic Central High. Her platform is “Cancer Advocacy: Small Steps Lead to Big Chances.”

– Kara Roberts, 23, is a dancer from Canal Winchester. She is a student at Columbus State Community College. “Volunteerism – the 6th Food Group” is her platform.

– Heather Strickland, 19, of Massillon will present a poetry reading. She attends Kent State University-Stark Campus and has chosen “DARE” (drug abuse resistance education) as her platform.

– Rachel Teron, 22, is a vocalist from Independence and a student at Mount Union College. Her platform is “Saving Students from Sex, Drugs and Alcohol.”

– Jenna Wilson, 18, is a vocalist from Zanesville. She attends Ohio University and her platform is “March of Dimes.”

– Kasey Wilson, 19, is a vocalist from Granville and a student at Ohio State University. “MADD: Activism for Change” is her platform.

Facebook and my new Facebook group, Pageant Fabulous

2005-10-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

My long time readers will recall that this Blog was a result of my friend Jeff’s Blog. Similarly, I have been sucked into other internet networks thanks (and no thanks) to friends.

First there was Friendster. I was invited, I joined, I haven’t been back since. Next came Bebo, an address book organizer and networking site. I actually find Bebo quite wonderful, I set up a club site on it for Forensics and PKD, which comes complete with member contact info, a calendar of events, message board and polls. It could be so effective, but it hasn't been successful for two reasons- some of my teammates aren’t into the internet as I, and those who are were already on Facebook.

Yes, Facebook… (I say “Facebook” in the same way Jerry Seinfeld says “Newman.”) It is yet another internet networking site that is currently a huge craze among college students. Seriously, before you’re asked your major, you’re asked if you’re “on Facebook.”

Being that I am anti-trend, and was already on Friendster and Bebo, Facebook was where I had to draw the line. I would not join. It became a matter of principle.

Then my Senior Seminar in Theatre course (AKA, you’re graduating with a theatre degree, what are you doing next?) decided to join Facebook as a class. Even though Bebo is far more professional and offers more, I was, as always, the odd ball out. I had to give in and join my teammates, classmates, BGSU’s Freda and Freddie Falcon and seemingly every other college student in the world on Newman. I mean, on Facebook.

Now beyond networking with friends, Facebook members have created TONS of groups. We’re talking everything from “Derek Zoolander's Center For Kids Who Want To Learn To Read Good and Do Other Stuff Good Too's” to “I Went to Public School,” to sites for more official clubs and groups like my theatre course. If you can think of it, there’s probably a group for it… except pageantness. I searched and searched and searches, but no pageant groups were to be found.

I figured that as long as I had been forced to join the evil that is Facebook, I would create a pageant group. I have “facebooked” the Miss Northwestern Ohio contestants and other contestants and friends. Those who are also from BGSU have joined the new group, "Pageant Fabulous," but since Facebook divides itself by college or university, I can’t seem to invite non-BG ladies to the group.

So, to other pageant-types who are Facebook members, feel free to search for “Pageant Fabulous” or find it via my Facebook profile and join us. There are many anonymous message boards out there for pageantry, unfortunately the anonymity leads to horrible negativity. I hope that the un-anonymous Facebook group can be a safe and positive place for contestants to chat.

Pageant Press: Miss Northwestern Ohio

2005-10-12T01:53:00.000-05:00

The article below can be found at the Crescent News Online.

Miss Northwestern Ohio Scholarship Pageant

An informational forum was held recently at the Defiance Community Auditorium for contestants for the Miss Northwestern Ohio Scholarship Pageant. There are 15 candidates who have entered the contest.

The forum allowed contestants to practice their talent and receive helpful hints from pageant coordinators.

The pageant will be held on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Defiance Community Auditorium. This will be the pageant’s 30th year as a preliminary to the Miss Ohio and, then, Miss America pageants. Tickets to the pageant may be purchased from any contestant or at the door.

Shown here are contestants, in the front row: Marisa Minor, (left) Fort Recovery; the current reigning Miss Northwestern Ohio, Abby Bollenbacher, Coldwater*; and Melissa Marksberry, (right), Defiance.

In the back row, from the left are: Lauren Hogan, Napoleon; McKenna Frank, Defiance; Emily Cousino, Ottawa Lake, Mich.; Casandra Roehrig, Defiance; Janelle Zindroski, North Royalton; Ashleigh Hoenbrink, Leipsic; Allie Krucek, North Canton; Kylie Seibert, Defiance; Jennifer Haviland, Defiance; Rachel Maris, Ada; and Carrie Cleland, Hicksville. Missing from the photograph are contestants Raquel Valdez, Defiance, and Kristen Haas, Bowling Green.

* I am not from Coldwater, rather I grew up in Rockford.

Forensics: OFA Workshop Tournament

2005-10-11T12:20:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the Ohio Forensics Association's Fall Workshop Tournament. I did not attend, but I am so proud of my following teammates:

After Dinner Speaking
Sarah Smith- 3rd place

PR Extemp
(Ohio's experimental event this year)
Mike Hensler- 6th place

Poetry Interpretation
David Fryling- 5th place

Persuasive Speaking
Kent Truckor- 5th place

Prose Interpretation
Kent Truckor- 6th place

Also, congratulations to our coach, Paul Alday, who is the 2005/2006 OFA President, thus he ran the tournament.

Blogging about my Blog: The Main Quad

2005-10-10T12:01:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled that my other Blog, Vices for Victims, was the featured Blog for Saturday, October 8 on The Main Quad.

The Main Quad describes itself as a Blog which “provides reviews, commentary and directories of campus blogs developed primarily by students and faculty.” I am truly honored as most other featured Blogs have been by professors at major universities.

I assume The Main Quad heard of Vices for Victims via the BGNews article below.

Blog Press: Student blogs, saves cash for hurricane relief efforts

2005-10-10T11:39:00.000-05:00

Special thanks to Cassandra Shofar and the BGNews for contacting me to do a feature article about my other Blog, Vices for Victims .

The article can be found at The BGNews and is copied below:

Student blogs, saves cash for hurricane relief efforts

By Cassandra Shofar
October 06, 2005

For the average “poor college student”, donating $50 or more to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina victims might seem like a stretch.

But Abby Bollenbacher, senior, thinks giving up a vice for a victim may just be a student’s best shot.

Bollenbacher started a blog called “Vices for Victims” last month, which is intended to inspire other people on campus to give up a vice and with that money donate to a charity for hurricane victims.
“It’s to encourage people to give up a little of what they have for the people who now have absolutely nothing,” she said.

The blog can be found at http://vicesforvictims.blogspot.com.

None of the money goes to Bollenbacher but her blog offers links to the American Red Cross and a charity navigator. All she wants is a post of what people have given up to hopefully inspire others.

“Money is so scarce right now with the economy, and college students have the mentality that they’re poor college students,” she said. “I don’t think they realize how much they do have.”

Bollenbacher makes little sacrifices and gives money that she saves to the hurricane relief effort. For example, Bollenbacher returned a pair of pricey heels that she bought on sale.

“And the heels inspired me to think, how can I inspire other people to think this way?” she said. “I almost cried when I had to give back those shoes.”

Another sacrifice was that she gave up going to dinner and a movie with her boyfriend, and instead, they did something free.

“We just went with his dogs to the park, it was excellent,” Bollenbacher said. “Do something for free and then give that money to people who don’t have anything.”

Her inspiration came from a variety show to encourage people to give to hurricane victims called “Performing Good Deeds,” which was organized by graduate student Jeff List and held by the Forensics Honorary, Pi Kappa Delta, which is a speech and debate team.

“She (Bollenbacher) took my suggestion and she created something entirely on her own,” List said. “I’m incredibly honored, it really speaks for the power of one person.”

List’s benefit unintentionally made Bollenbacher feel guilty for not doing what she could for the hurricane victims. She was inspired by List to do a good deed of her own.

List also believes it doesn’t take much to help others.

“We don’t have to save the world, we just need to do what we can do,” List said. “And then we have these unintended consequences that go beyond what we were trying to do.”

List was not the only person to be affected by the “Vices for Victims” blog. Sandra Mencer, director of the Springboard Program at the University, was also inspired by the blog.

“I feel like I could have gone out to Red Cross and given my $500 and be done with it, but instead I would prefer to give here and there,” Mencer said. “Because I can generate enthusiasm in others to give and help encourage the ground swell of young people giving.”

While Bollenbacher’s friends in the community are supportive of her, it is harder for some of her other friends to be involved.

“My close friends are not college students, they have ‘real jobs’ and live in the ‘real world’ so it’s harder to get people with real jobs to give smaller amounts more frequently,” Bollenbacher said.
Mencer, who could have given all her money at once, chose not to, and one of the reasons was this blog.

“I wanted to recognize the fact that (Bollenbacher) is trying, I wanted to give her kudos and tell her I appreciate what she’s doing,” Mencer said. “So I am giving an extra $50 to the Red Cross to encourage her to continue and others to contribute.”

Bollenbacher, like many, felt distanced from the hurricane tragedy.
“It’s right there, you know you should do something, but you don’t, you ignore it like homework,” she said. “I just want people like me, who are detached from the situation, to have an outlet to give back to those less fortunate.”

Mencer also believes that inspiration emanating from one person can be contagious to others.

“The blog clearly shows what one person can do ... It’s about getting people involved and showing them how to be larger than themselves,” she said. “It’s about the power of the collective.”

Vices for Victims

2005-10-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

Visit my other recently updated Blog, Vices for Victims.

Congratulations to the New Miss Stark County, Elyse Healey!

2005-10-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon in North Canton the ninth Miss Ohio contestant was crowned. Besting sixteen others, Elyse won Evening Gown, Talent and Interview in addition to the crown. She is from Youngstown and now attends Kent State University, for talent she performed an operatic piece.

First Runner up Katelyn Koval was also awarded Swimsuit.

Second runner up honors went to Carissa Martin.

Due to their newness in this pageant system, there are no photos available of Elyse or Carissa; however, Katelyn can be seen on the Miss Greater Cleveland website.

Hopefully the Miss Stark County website will be updated with photos soon.

While Miss Stark County 2004/2005 Jaycie Dotin was out of town pursuing her career in entertainment, Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine and Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Ali Nance were both on hand to help with the crowning.

Again, congratulations to Elyse, I look forward to meeting her.

Please note, I could not attend, therefore my information is second-hand.

Miss Ohio Teen USA

2005-10-03T20:34:00.001-05:00

The Miss Ohio Teen USA pageant took place Saturday night. The event not only crowned a new Miss Teen, it was also a homecoming for Miss Teen USA, Allie LaForce. According to TFTJ, Allie is the first Miss Ohio Teen USA to capture the national crown.

They report, “Allie was given the key to the city of Portsmouth during a special celebration on the courthouse grounds, and given the proclamation of September 30 as "Allie LaForce Day."”

As for the actual competition, over eighty Ohio teens competed at the Vern Riffe Center. At the evenings end, sixteen year old Peyton McCormick was crowned the new Miss Ohio Teen USA. She is a junior at Lakota West High School, and eventually would like to attend Ohio State University or Guildhall School for the Arts in London. [McCormick is pictured on the left.]

The first runner up was Courtney Terbovich of Warren; second runner up was Brooke Lyons of Marion; third runner up was Becky Minger of Sylvania; fourth runner up was Rachel Whittington of Gallipolis.

The Miss Photogenic award was given to Miss Mahoning County Teen USA, Kaitlyn Kirkpatrick. Miss Congeniality Teen went to Miss Eastern Ohio Teen USA, Kara McNeil.

Photo and all information is from TFTJ .

Pageant Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

2005-10-01T12:16:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I will be traveling to Defiance for the Miss Northwestern Ohio 2005 forum. While most locals do not hold forums, they are standard for “closed” locals like Miss Northwestern Ohio. (Entrants must live, work or go to school in one of the following: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, or Wood Counties.) Forums for closed locals are usually very helpful, as their contestants are often new to pageants. However, I already happen to know a few of the contestants and I look forward to meeting the rest of them tomorrow.

I have found over the years that I almost enjoy meeting and helping other contestants while giving up a title more than competing! I feel it’s one of titleholder’s greatest responsibilities.

That is why I opted to attend the Miss Northwestern forum rather than compete in the Miss Stark County pageant, also being held tomorrow.

Miss Stark County takes place at the North Canton Civic Center, pre-show beginning at 5 p.m. For more information about Miss Stark County, visit the Miss Ohio website or the Miss Stark County website.

Best of luck to Stark County directors, Anne and Ken Hablitzel and to all the ladies competing tomorrow!

Vices for Victims

2005-09-28T17:10:00.000-05:00

What have you done for hurricane victims?

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t done much of anything;

my detached excuse was that I’m a “busy, poor college student.”

Then I was inspired and realized that everyone has much more to give than they think.

Visit my new Blog:

Vices for Victims

Forensics: Falcon Forensics Classic

2005-09-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

What a long day! It began at 5 a.m. and now it’s after midnight… that could only mean one thing- Forensics.

Today was the 62nd Falcon Forensics Classic, a tournament my team and PKD chapter host on our campus, Bowling Green State University. Being one of the early tournaments of the season, it is usually quite small, but today was our largest in history. Twenty-one teams entered the tournament bringing over 200 competitors in public address, limited preparation, interpretation and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Congratulations to our coach and tournament director, Paul Alday, his wife Heather and our PKD President, Michelle Baker, for organizing and running a wonderful tournament. Our entire team helped prepare for and work the tournament, special thanks to team members Shelley Nixon, Jennifer Cole and Mike Hensler for forgoing competition to spend all day helping with the tournament. Congratulations to our novice members for surviving their first forensics tournament! Sarah Smith, Kent Truckor, Anna Adkins and David Fryling.

Those awarded at the nights end are as follows:

Novice Impromptu
Sarah Griffith- second place
Sarah Griffith- Top PKD
David Fryling- sixth place

Novice Prose
Sarah Griffith- second place
Sarah Griffith- top PKD

Varsity Prose
Kenny Rogers- second place

Poetry Interpretation
I received Top PKD

Duo Interpretation
Lew Smith and I- Top PKD

Rhetorical Criticism
I received fifth place and Top PKD

Much to my surprise, two other pageant contestants were in attendance at today’s tournament. It was wonderful to once again visit with Miss West Central Ohio, Kyrsten Chambers, who is a novice with Miami University. Sophia Davis, a recent contestant at Miss Miami Valley, was also competing, unfortunately I did not get a chance to meet her and do not remember what school she was with, but congratulations to her for placing in... novice impromptu, I think, I could be wrong on the event.

Forensics and pageants are both incredibly important to me, as they both finance my education and help me cultivate my presentation skills. They compliment one another, yet are entirely different worlds. So while it was a pleasant surprise seeing Kyrsten and knowing Sophia was there today, I have to admit I was a bit taken aback. My reaction was odd and I find it difficult to articulate. Their presents physically joined two areas that were before only connected theoretically to me, leaving me strangely disjointed. Again, it’s hard to explain. And it’s certainly not to say I don’t welcome them into the Forensics community; I hope they both find the experience as wonderful and rewarding as I do. I’m also pretty excited that I won’t be the only pageant contestant out there trying to explain what in the world Forensics is! :)

More Reality for Former Titleholders

2005-09-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

As if televised pageants weren’t reality shows in and of themselves, three former titleholders are currently competing on other shows.

A few nights ago I caught last years Miss Teen USA, Shelley Henning [below] on MTV’s The Reality Show. This seems to be the reality show of reality shows, as contestants are competing to have… you guessed it, a reality show. Shelley’s show would be called “After the Reign,” and follow her adjustment back into “normal” life after a year as Miss Teen USA. [Photo from MTV.]

Just tonight two former titleholders debuted as contestants on The Apprentice. Jennifer Murphy [below on the left] was Miss Oregon USA and a top ten finalist at Miss USA 2004. Marshawn Evans [below on the right] was Miss District of Columbia and 3rd Runner-up at Miss America 2002. [Both photos copied from The Apprentice.]

A link between the contestants is of course, The Donald. Miss USA, Teen USA and The Apprentice are all owned by Mr. Trump. Another link is the infamous Omerosa. Not only is the former Apprentice contestant a judge on MTV’s The Reality Show, Omerosa was also a pageant contestant. In fact, she competed at Miss Ohio; some chaperone’s I’ve worked with in Mansfield have some not-so-fond memories of her!

I find it impressive that the USA pageant system owner gives Miss America women an opportunity on The Apprentice. However, on tonight’s show he mentioned “a beauty queen,” “A” beauty queen, not beauty queenS. I assumed he was referring to Jennifer, so was The Donald respecting Miss America’s wish to be a scholarship program, or disregarding Marshawn’s beauty?

Regardless, I look forward to watching if Jennifer and/or Marshawn get “fired” or “hired” and if Shelley gets “cancelled” or “picked-up.” I wish them all the best of luck and hope they present themselves in such a way that dispels and does not perpetuate negative pageant stereotypes.

Miss Ohio Fall Resourse Forum

2005-09-18T12:55:00.000-05:00

Information from the Miss Ohio Office about the Fall Resource Forum is as follows:

Join us for the 2nd annual Miss Ohio Fall Resource Forum, October 22, 2005

The Resource Forum has a host of experts in many fields lined up to teach 45 minute sessions on a variety of topics. There are four different tracks of education tailored specifically for contestants, parents, Local E.D.’s and Committees and potential judges.

And, if that is not enough, shop our vendors for any pageant need you may have; gowns, shoes, make-up, and more...all in one place! Admission is $10 per person and includes lunch. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 9 a.m.)

Something we are adding this year is a seminar for teens interested in competing in our teen program. This form you can find on the Miss Ohio Website and their seminar will last from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Who? This event is designed to train and educate young women who are interested in competing in the Miss Ohio System, returning contestants, local title holders, parents, local Executive Directors and committees and any individual who are interested in judging for local programs in Ohio. A Miss America judges’ expert will host two sessions, a morning and afternoon session, to accommodate everyone. All participants completing the judge’s seminar with Rick Brinkley will be added to a list and distributed to all Local Executive Directors.

Please help us distribute this information out to everyone – any schools you have around your area, dance academies, vocal studios, etc. please help us get this information out. We will also have vendors set up where everyone will be able to shop. If you know any vendors we may not have contacted they can also find the Exhibitor form on the Miss Ohio Website.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in starting a local – we are having a new local orientation that morning with registration starting at 9 a.m. and their session lasting from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

-

Make your reservations before October 15 by contacting the Miss Ohio office:

Phone: 419-522-6677
Fax: 419-522-0054
Web: www.missohio.com
Email: info@missohio.org

-

Directions to event location:
Eastern Elementary School, 155 Castor Road, Lexington, OH 44904:

Directions from the North:
I-71 South to SR 97 (exit 165) – Lexington / Bellville
Turn right onto SR 97
Go about 2 miles and turn left onto Castor Road
The school will be on your right.

Directions from the South
I-71 North to SR 97 (exit 165) – Lexington / Bellville
Turn left onto SR 97
Go about 2 miles and turn left onto Castor Road
The school will be on your right

Directions from the West
Route 30 East to I-71 South
Take I-71 South to SR 97 (exit 165) – Lexington / Bellville
Turn right onto SR 97
Go about 2 miles and turn left onto Castor Road
The school will be on your right

Directions from the East
Route 30 West to I-71 South
Take I-71 South to SR 97 (exit 165) – Lexington / Bellville
Turn right onto SR 97
Go about 2 miles and turn left onto Castor Road
The school will be on your right

Directions from Rt. 42
Take Route 42 South to Lexington
Turn left at the light at SR 97
Turn right onto Castor Road
The school will be on your right

More Pageant Blogs!

2005-09-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

I’d like to welcome two of my fellow pageant contestants to the wonderful world of Blog! I was first excited for the affirmation that people in pageantland were indeed reading my blog! Now I am excited to watch how they choose to develop their own Blogs. Check them out:

Roberta Camp's Blog
I met "Berta" at Miss Ohio this past June, where she was competing as Miss Greater Dayton. She is continuing to compete in Miss Ohio locals this year.

Kara Robert's Blog
Kara currently holds the title of Beauties of America Twenties. She also competes in Miss Ohio locals and I met her for the first time a few weeks ago at Miss Miami Valley.

“Performing Good Deeds”

2005-09-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

Pi Kappa Delta Forensics Honorary is proud to sponsor “Performing Good Deeds,” a variety show benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims.

Please join PKD and benefit organizer, BGSU graduate student Jeff List, tomorrow night (Saturday, September 17, 2005) in the Multi-purpose room of Bowen Thompson Student Union on the campus of Bowling Green State University.

Performances, including interpretive pieces from the Forensics team, comedy from the stand up class and a variety of other types of entertainment, will begin at 8 p.m.

Donations will be accepted for the American Red Cross.

‘Tis the season to be BUSY, OVERwhelmed, STrrreeetched in a million directionsss…..

2005-09-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

I said if I had not blogged by now that you could assume I was left in Lake Huron, but in fact I did not go on the Forensics “Get-Geeked” Retreat. A family emergency occurred Friday afternoon; thankfully everything is fine, but being four hours away was not an option at the time.

Additionally, fall semester is off to a busy start! For my fellow students on semesters, if you do the math, the semester is about a fourth over already. And anyone excited like me to be graduating in the spring, we’re an eighth of the way there!

Whether you’re already in the thick of things, or about to begin a school on quarters, here are some of my favorite websites for “coping with college.” They tackle everything from first year homesickness to senior career planning, as well as stress management, time management, goal setting, etc.:

A comprehensive list from Illinois State University:
www.counseling.ilstu.edu/DP/dp_vidette.shtml

An inspirational blog I stumbled upon:
www.highlysensitivesouls.com/blog/?p=50

Online Power-Point workshops from Texas Woman’s University:
www.twu.edu/o-sl/counseling/workshops.htm

A goal-setting rubric from Bowling Green State University’s First Year Experience program:
www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/oreg/goals.html

Some of these websites offer contact information for resources specific to that university; please use them as a guide to find similar resources where ever you are; most colleges and universities have comparable services at their students disposal, but the student must take the time to find them.
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Best of luck to everyone with Back-to-School!

Miss Ohio 1995, Lea Mack, to visit my hometown

2005-09-09T12:18:00.000-05:00

I just found the follwoing, but unfortunately, the deadline is today, so act fast if you're interested! [Article and photo can be found on both Knapps News and the Parkway Independent.]

MISS OHIO 1995 COMING TO ROCKFORD CHARITY BANQUET

Lea Mack, Miss Ohio 1995 and Miss American Top Ten Finalist, is the featured entertainer and speaker for the fourth annual Leota Braun Charitable Foundation Banquet, set for Saturday, September 17, at the Community Building in Shanes Park, Rockford, Ohio. Lea, from northeastern Ohio, is a singer, songwriter, motivational speaker, author, contemporary Christian recording artist, and the owner of Dream Big Enterprises, LLC. She presents dynamic programs with a mix of narrative and various musical styles designed to motivate and inspire as well as entertain.

The banquet is an annual fund-raiser for the Foundation’s scholarships and community grants for special events, special needs, cultural activities, parks and recreation, and community betterment. The evening will begin with appetizers and a social time at 6 p.m. followed by an old-fashioned Ohio County Dinner served by the Baders at 6:30. The food choices include fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, dressing, corn, green beans, tossed salad rolls topped off by a variety of cobblers for dessert. Following the banquet, will be a summary of the Foundation’s activities for the past year and the program by Miss Mack. Tickets are available at Peoples Bank in Rockford, Community First in Rockford and Willshire, the Photo Star in Willshire, and Roebuck Insurance in Mendon. The Deadline for reservations is September 9.

Miss Mack is partially sponsored by the New Horizons Community Church in Rockford, where she will be participating in the morning worship service on Sunday, September 18 at 10 a.m. The Church invites anyone in the communities to attend this special service, which will be led by Rev. John Braunstein, the church’s recently appointed youth pastor.

The Leota Braun Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity offering donors a tax-advantaged method of supporting community activities. It seeks to build assets that will provide income for future community needs, while at the same time making numerous grants each year for current needs and projects. The service area of the Foundation includes all the communities located within the Parkway School District.

Get-Geeked Retreat

2005-09-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

Get-Geeked… it sounds so glamorous, yes? Well, along with pageant season, Forensics season has started for me and that means I’ll probably be posting a lot of things that make most people tilt their heads to the side like a confused puppy.

If you’re just tuning in, Forensics is a co-curricular activity I’m involved with through my University, Bowling Green State. Contrary to popular belief, we have nothing to do with C.S.I., rather ‘forensics’ also means competitive speech, debate and interpretive performance. Throughout the academic year we devote our weekends to traveling the Midwest and Canada to compete in tournaments.

It has nothing to directly do with pageants, except sometimes creating scheduling conflicts that cause me to choose one or the other, but I blog about it because it is a huge part of who I am and I believe it is a main contributor to my pageant success. That and my forensics teammates just really like to see their names in print on the internet.

Anyway, Get-Geeked Fest is our teams beginning of the year intensive preparation day. Kind of like a pageant forum, it acclimates new members to the practices and million and one crazy acronyms used, etc. and gets varsity members on task.

Normally it’s one very long, very boring day in a classroom on campus. Again like a pageant forum, for those who have already heard the information a thousand times, it can be almost painful to sit through it… again!

So, the PKD (Pi Kappa Delta Forensics Honorary) officers spoke at length with our coach about how to better this event. This was all just my very long-winded way of saying we’re crashing in someone’s cabin on Lake Huron for the weekend and having Get-Geeked up there! We hope the seclusion will promote work and the atmosphere will promote team bonding, and blogging about it promotes my procrastination because there’s little I hate more than packing! Please note, if I post nothing else by like Tuesday or Wednesday (sans the Lea Mack thing I’m posting after this) then assume the retreat didn’t go as planned and they left me in the Lake!

Finally, Outstanding Teen Photos!

2005-09-06T17:22:00.000-05:00

Miss America's Outstanding Teen website has been slowly adding competition photos of its contestants. They're copyrighted, so to view Ali Nance, Ohio's Outstanding Teen's photo gallery click below.

Ali's Photo Gallery

National Sweetheart Results

2005-09-06T17:16:00.000-05:00

The Top Ten

Miss Pennsylvania, Emily Wills
Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak
Miss New Jersey, Jamie Ginn
Miss Florida, Mari Wilensky
Miss New York, Kimberley Ferdinando
Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill
Miss Michigan, Angela Corsi
Miss Arizona, Hilary Griffith
Miss North Carolina, Heather Hamby
Miss Washington, Amelia Gilbert

The Top Five

Fourth Runner Up - Miss New Jersey, Jamie Ginn
Third Runner Up - Miss Michigan, Angela Corsi
Second Runner Up - Miss Pennsylvania, Emily Wills
First Runner Up - Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak
America's National Sweetheart - Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill

Additional Awards

Overall Talent- Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill, opera “O Mio Babbino Caro”
Non-Finalist Talent- Miss California, Angel Blue, opera “Sempre Libera”
Preliminary Talent Awards- Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill and Miss California, Angel Blue

Preliminary Swimsuit Awards- Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak and Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill

Preliminary Evening Gown Awards-(ties) Miss Florida, Mair Wienski, Miss Georgia, Amanda Kozak, Miss New Jersey, Jamie Ginn and Miss Arkansas, Adrielle Churchill

Interview Awards - Miss Pennsylvania, Emily Wills and Miss North Carolina, Heather Hamby

Producer's Choice-Miss Delaware, Amber Knight

Miss Congeniality-Miss Montana, Meredithh McCannell

Hopefully photos will be available soon.

Miss Miami Valley Scholarship Program

2005-09-05T21:32:00.000-05:00

** I apologize, photo quality is low and in some cases my best attempts at red eye reduction only made us look more demonic!

Again, congratulations to the stunning new Miss Miami Valley, Melanie Murphy. With her win Melanie secured her second trip to Miss Ohio; in June she made the Top 10 there as Miss Buckeye State. Melanie’s talent is a jazzy ballet en point to “World on a String” and her platform is volunteerism. In addition to the title Melanie won the people’s choice and outstanding swimsuit awards; especially impressive considering she was unlucky contestant number one! [On the left, Melanie and I pose together after the pageant.]

First runner up honors went to the reigning Miss Greater Dayton, Roberta Camp (contestant number six). At Miss Ohio in June she sang “Blessed,” however for Miss Miami Valley Saturday, ‘Berta changed her tune to a beautiful aria. Her platform is Community Service. [On the left, Berta and I catch up backstage.]

The reigning Miss Licking County, Kasey Wilson was named second runner up (she was contestant number two). She sang the popular Sarah Brightman/ Andrea Bocelli aria “Time to Sing Goodbye,” just as she sang when making the Top 10 at Miss Ohio. Kasey’s platform is M.A.D.D., Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. [On the right Kasey and I pose in casual wear backstage at Miss Ohio.]

[Above the Miss Miami Valley contestants pose together backstage. L-R: Lauren Sprague, Kara Roberts, Heather Strickland, Melanie Murphey, Roberta Camp, Marisa Minor, Jodi Greene, Sophia Davis and Kasey Wilson]

Outstanding interview went to contestant number six Heather Strickland who advocates the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). For her talent Heather performs an entertaining movement monologue to the inspirational Maya Angelou poem, “Phenomenal Woman.”

With an energetic musical theatre vocal medley, contestant number seven Lauren Sprague won talent. I didn’t recognize the songs, but her theatrical talent was captivating, especially considering she is only 17.

Lauren’s talent win was especially notable considering EVERY competitor was very impressive in her own way during the talent competition, a comment not made at many pageants. With that, the remaining contestants were as follows:

Contestant number three Marisa Minor sang the same sassy Spanish aria she performed at Miss Ohio in June as Miss Lake Festival.

Contestant number four Sophia Davis won the Ad contestant and performed an energetic dance routine for talent.

Contestant number eight Kara Roberts performed an emotional lyrical dance to a beautiful vocal, I believe called “Cry.”

Contestant number nine Jodi Greene performed a powerful rendition of a crowd favorite, “Orange Colored Sky.”

Additionally, outgoing Miss Miami Valley Carla McKenzie did a wonderful job entertaining the crowd. It was also great to see our beautiful Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine in the audience cheering the contestants on. [Marlia is pictured below with Miss Miami Valley new and old, Carla and Melanie.]

Congratulations to Ronda and everyone for putting on a great show. It was nice to see everyone and meet some contestants who I had only ever heard of. Also, I was stoked to learn Saturday night that I have Blog readership among my fellow contestants. So here’s a special shout-out to she-knows-who-she-is!

Congratulations to the New Miss Miami Valley, Melanie Murphy!

2005-09-04T02:44:00.000-05:00

1st RU: Roberta Camp
2nd RU: Kasey Wilson

Swimsuit: Melanie
Interview: Heather Strickland
Talent: Lauren Sprague

I just returned home from the pageant; considering it's nearly 3 A.M. and I have a busy day of roller-coastering with friends at Cedar Point ahead of me, I'm going to sleep.

Photos, a complete contestant list, talents and more coming soon!

Best of Luck to the Miss Miami Valley Scholarship Program Tomorrow Night!

2005-09-02T12:15:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night at the Montgomery County Fair in Dayton a new Miss Miami Valley will be crowned. It’s hard to believe that two years have past since I was a contestant there and was fortunate to be crowned by Kristin Swinehart. Last year I passed the title onto Carla McKinzey who will do the same tomorrow night.

[Above, Carla, Ronda and I after last years pageant]

Miss Miami Valley is held under interesting circumstance, which help dispel some myths of “beauty queens” and for which Executive Director Ronda Morris and her committee should be commended. Because the Fair gives the scholarships, the pageant is held during the fair… outside… in a tent… on a rickety stage… It is far from the glamorous world of pageantry some might imagine and not a pageant that women of prissy nature could “hack.” Despite these circumstances, Ronda puts on a wonderful show, provides scholarship and sends one lucky woman to Miss Ohio. She is a wonderful and caring director.

If even half of the contestants rumored to be competing are accurate, it should be a competitive and exciting pageant. I hope to attend, but honestly, it depends on gas prices! :(

Best of luck to Ronda, Carla and all the contestants.

Sweetheart Swinehart

2005-09-01T20:10:00.000-05:00

Best of luck to Kristin Swinehart as she represents Ohio at the National Sweetheart Pageant this weekend. Kristin was named first runner up to Miss Ohio in June, thus qualifying her for the Sweetheart pageant.

[Above Kristin poses in her evening gown at Miss Ohio; photo from Jason J. Moylet of the Mansfield News Journal]

As I explained before Ohio’s local sweetheart pageant, “sweetheart” or “sweeps” pageants are for women who have been runners up. At the local level these pageants are a last chance opportunity to get to the state pageant. At the National Sweetheart program, however, the winner does not qualify for Miss America; rather it is just a good experience.

Success at the National Sweetheart pageant often bodes well for women who continue to compete in the Miss America system. For example, Amanda Beagle was first runner up at Miss Ohio in 2003, she competed at the Sweetheart pageant, was named to the Top 10 there and came back to win Miss Ohio in 2004. Many National Sweetheart contestants go onto win their state and some Sweetheart winners have also won Miss America; the most recent examples are Leanza Cornett (Miss Sweetheart 1991 and Miss America 1993) and Tara Dawn Holland (Miss Sweetheart 1995 and Miss America 1997).

The pageant is sponsored by the Jaycees of Hoopeston, Illinois and is jokingly referred to as “crowns in a cornfield.” Check out the Miss Sweetheart website for more information or Turn For The Judges for contestant photos.

And GOOD LUCK KRISTIN!

Miss America Press Release: Pageant Decides it’s Time to Move, Thanks AC for 85 Years of Hospitality

2005-08-25T16:18:00.000-05:00

Contacts:

Jenni Glenn
jenni@missamerica.org

Miss America Organization

Susan Ricciardi

sricciardi@accva.com
Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority

Miss America Receives Release from Atlantic City Contract
Pageant Decides it’s Time to Move, Thanks AC for 85 Years of Hospitality

(Atlantic City, NJ, August 25, 2005) - The Miss America Organization (MAO) announced today that it has asked for and received permission from the Atlantic City Convention Center & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) to move the Miss America Pageant out of Atlantic City. “The ACCVA, in releasing Miss America from its current contract, is helping to ensure the pageant’s continued vitality and growth,” stated Art McMaster, President & CEO, MAO.

“The decision to leave the Pageant’s longtime home in Atlantic City was made after extremely careful deliberation and with the highest level of respect for the countless friends, volunteers and fans of the Pageant,” McMaster said. “The MAO would like to thank the ACCVA and the State of New Jersey for its continued support throughout the process leading to this difficult decision.”

Jeff Vasser, ACCVA executive director, stated, “We did not undertake this decision lightly. In view of the financial considerations facing MAO now and in the future, we respect MAO’s decision to start fresh. We wish the Pageant well. Atlantic City will always remain the Pageant’s home and we relish our 85-year history together.”

“We thoroughly appreciate the assistance we have received from the Atlantic City community, and the State of New Jersey over the past 85 years,” said McMaster. “The entire community has embraced Miss America, its contestants and the Pageant’s rich history.”

“We plan to work with CMT to create an exciting and compelling show for 2006 that builds on our traditions and embraces new opportunities,” continued McMaster.

A location for next year’s Miss America broadcast has not yet been determined. The Miss America Organization’s corporate headquarters will remain in Atlantic City.

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The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

Congratulations to Ohio's Outstanding Teen, Ali Nance for making the Top 15 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant in Orlando!

2005-08-21T01:43:00.000-05:00

[Photo of Ali from the Outstanding Teen website.]

At this point minimal information is available, but congratulations to Ali for besting 37 other teen contestants to make the Top 15. We are all very proud of you!

Moderately reliable sources report contestants in the Top 15 as follows: South Carolina, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Colorado and Ohio. Those moving on to the Top 10 were Indiana, Arkansas, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and California.

Texas' Outstanding Teen, Meghan Miller, won the pageant; see post below for more information.

Hopefully competition photos of Ali will be available soon. Congrats again to Ohio's girl, Ali, for making the Top 15!

Congratulations to Texas' Outstanding Teen, Meghan Miller, crowned the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen!

2005-08-21T01:22:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:Jenni Glenn jenni@missamerica.org

Miss America Organization

MISS TEXAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN MEGHAN MILLER WINS FIRST EVER MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN COMPETITION

[In above photo from the Outstanding Teen website Miss America, Deidra Downs, crowns first Outstanding Teen, Meghan Miller.]

Orlando, FL - August 20, 2005 - Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen Meghan Miller walked the runway as the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen on Saturday night in the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. This historic crowning moment marked her first steps on a journey that will take her across the country promoting scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, community involvement and healthy living for our nation's youth.

Through an official partnership with the US Dream Academy, Miller will help improve the outlook of America's young people by increasing literacy through creative mentoring. She will also continue work on her personal platform of character education called "Hop on the Bus with R.E.S.P.E.C.T."

Miller, a 17-year-old Beaumont, TX resident, attends West Brook High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She developed a character curriculum which is currently being used in elementary schools. She has starred in an independent film, is enrolled in an advanced placement/honors program and aspires to become an attorney.

The recipient of a $30,000 scholarship, Miller also won an additional $1,000 scholarship for preliminary awards in Talent and Evening Wear, as well as the Carole D. Holsonback Scholarship for Overall Talent for $1,000 for her uniquely delightful ventriloquism performance of "Dummies in a Disney Daze."

"I am so excited to be the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen," said Miller. "I have always dreamed of becoming Miss America. I remember watching Miss Pennsylvania 1990 Marla Wynne on television during the Miss America Pageant when I was barely three years old. Her talent was ventriloquism and I was just mesmerized. I spent hours in front of the mirror trying to figure out how she did it and I've been doing it ever since!"

Miss California's Outstanding Teen, 13-year-old Adrianna Afsar, earned a $20,000 scholarship as first runner-up. She also won a preliminary talent award for $500 for her powerful rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade." She is an honor roll student and hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in Engineering while pursuing her career ambition of becoming a legendary singer.

Second runner-up honors and a $15,000 scholarship went to Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen, 16-year-old Shalane Larango.

Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen, 17-year-old Sierra Minott took home a $10,000 scholarship as third runner-up.

Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen, 17-year-old Jennifer Gulbrandsen earned a $5,000 scholarship as fourth runner-up.

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A sister company to the Miss America Organization, Miss America's Outstanding Teen promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens. The 2005 competition was held at the Linda Chapin Theater, Orange County Convention Center from August 17-20. For more information, please go to www.MAOTeen.org. Additional information about Miss America's Outstanding Teen, as well as updated competition news and downloadable images, can be found at http://www.MAOTeen.org.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen- Preliminary Night Three

2005-08-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenni Glenn jenni@missamerica.org
Miss America Organization

MISS CALIFORNIA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN, MISS FLORIDA'S OUTSTANDING TEENWIN PRELIMINARY AWARDS ON THIRD NIGHT OF FIRST EVER MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANT

Orlando, FL - August 19, 2005 - Miss California's Outstanding Teen Adrianna Afsar was named Friday night's preliminary talent winner for her powerful vocal rendition of "Don’t Rain On My Parade" at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center during the third night of competition. Also in the spotlight was Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Sierra Minott, who was the preliminary Evening Wear winner in a stunning hot pink silk and rhinestone evening gown. Both Outstanding Teens received a $500 scholarship for this preliminary honor.

Afsar, a 13-year-old San Diego, CA resident, attends Westview High School where she was Math Student and Science Student of the Month. Winner of nearly 50 talent awards for singing, Afsar loves to perform in front of an audience. She is an honor roll student and hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in Engineering while pursuing her career ambition of becoming a legendary singer.

Minott, a 17-year-old Ft. Myers, FL resident, attends Ft. Myers High School, where she is her senior class president. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and Quill & Scroll Journalism Honor Society. Minott has won the Elite Gold Medal for Dance Solo and the Musical Theatre Excellence Award. She would like to obtain a masters degree in psychology and become a counselor/therapist.

The Miss America's Outstanding Teen final night of competition will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night, August 20. For those interested in purchasing tickets for the event, please call Ticketmaster.

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A sister company to the Miss America Organization, Miss America's Outstanding Teen promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens. The 2005 competition will be held at the Linda Chapin Theater, Orange County Convention Center from August 17-20. For more information, please go to www.MAOTeen.org. Additional information about Miss America's Outstanding Teen, as well as updated competition news and downloadable images, can be found at http://www.MAOTeen.org. Media who wish to cover the 2005 Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant can download a Press Credential package online at http://www.MAOTeen.org/credentials.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen- Preliminary Night Two

2005-08-18T23:29:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Jenni Glenn jenni@missamerica.org
Miss America Organization

MISS UTAH'S OUTSTANDING TEEN, MISS TEXAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN WIN PRELIMINARY AWARDS ON SECOND NIGHT OF FIRST EVER MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANT

Orlando, FL - August 18, 2005 - Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen Jennifer Gulbrandsen was named Thursday night's preliminary talent winner for her beautiful rendition of Chopin's "Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor" on piano at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center during the second night of competition. Also in the spotlight once again was Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen Meghan Miller, who was the preliminary Evening Wear winner in a stunning pink and white lace and silk charmeuse evening gown. Miller was also the recipient of last night's preliminary talent award. Both Outstanding Teens received a $500 scholarship for this preliminary honor.

Gulbrandsen, a 17-year-old Provo resident, attends Timpview High School where she is enrolled in advanced placement and honors classes. She is a recipient of the Stamford Symphony Orchestra Young Artist of the Year Award and hopes to one day become a U.S. Supreme Court Judge.

Miller, a 17-year-old Beaumont, TX resident, attends West Brook High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She developed a character curriculum which is currently being used in elementary schools. She has starred in an independent film, is enrolled in an advanced placement/honors program and aspires to become an attorney.

Friday night, August 19 will complete the preliminary portions of the event and the Miss America's Outstanding Teen final night of competition will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night, August 20. For those interested in purchasing tickets for the event, please call Ticketmaster.

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A sister company to the Miss America Organization, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens. The 2005 competition will be held at the Linda Chapin Theater, Orange County Convention Center from August 17-20. For more information, please go to www.MAOTeen.org.Additional information about Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, as well as updated competition news and downloadable images, can be found at http://www.MAOTeen.org. Media who wish to cover the 2005 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant can download a Press Credential package online at http://www.MAOTeen.org/credentials.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen

2005-08-18T01:46:00.000-05:00

To strengthen the Miss America Program, a teen pageant was created as a fundraiser and “feeder” program, like minor league baseball or something. Last year states got the ball rolling by crowning winners; however there was not a national pageant. This year there is and it’s happening this weekend!

Ohio’s Outstanding Teen is Ali Nance. She is competing with 51 other teens (Yes, I know how many states there are! Like Miss America, this pageant includes D.C. and the Virgin Islands) at Orlando Florida’s Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.

Ali is a 15 year old student at J.F.K. High School in Warren Ohio. For the talent competition, Ali performs a jazz dance; her future ambition is to obtain a degree in Performing Arts with honors from NYU and become a Broadway performer. Her platform issue is Cancer Awareness through Relay for Life. Her accomplishments are as follows: Miss Teen Dance America 2004; Miss Junior Dance America 2003; Founder, Ali’s Closet; Featured performer, Miss Ohio Scholarship Program; Four-year volunteer, Relay for Life; NYC Broadway Experience; Dance Convention Scholarship to Shock; Star Systems’ and Showstoppers’ National Opening Act, Myrtle Beach, SC; Scholarship to Broadway Dance Center. [Above photo and all information about Ali is from the MAO Teen website.]

All of the dancers from Krystie’s Dance Academy who performed at Miss Ohio this year were a pleasure, especially Ali. While all the incredibly thin and toned high school dancers made us Miss Ohio contestants insecure, their fun spirits always lightened the mood and decreased the stress of competing. When we found out Ali was competing the weekend after us for the Outstanding Teen title, we knew she would do well. I wish her the best of luck as she competes this weekend in Orlando.

Like Miss America and most Miss State pageants, the Outstanding Teen program has preliminary nights of competition. Tonight Ali competed in talent, tomorrow she will have Evening Gown and Swimsuit with Casual Wear on Friday. Onstage Question is also judged, but I don’t know when.

Best of luck to Ali as she competes! Although, she already has irony on her side- keen Being Miss Northwestern Ohio readers may have noticed, and were perhaps confused by her name, as Miss Ohio Teen USA (and the newly crowned Miss Teen USA) is named Allie! (Scroll down to my post from July 16 if you need to review the difference between the Miss America and Miss USA pageant systems.)

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Tonight’s Outstanding Teen results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenni Glenn jenni@missamerica.org
Miss America Organization

MISS TEXAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN, MISS ARKANSAS' OUTSTANDING TEEN WIN PRELIMINARY AWARDS IN FIRST EVER MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANT

Orlando, FL - August 17, 2005 - Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen Meghan Miller was named Wednesday night's preliminary talent winner for her uniquely delightful ventriloquism performance of "Dummies in a Disney Daze" at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center during the first night of competition. Also in the spotlight was Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen Hannah Kay Joiner, who was the preliminary Evening Wear winner in a beautiful white lace and sequined evening gown. Both Outstanding Teens received a $500 scholarship for this preliminary honor.

Miller, a 17-year-old Beaumont, TX resident, attends West Brook High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She developed a character curriculum which is currently being used in elementary schools. She has starred in an independent film, is enrolled in an advanced placement/honors program and aspires to become an attorney.

Joiner, a 17-year-old Maumelle, AR resident, attends the Central Arkansas Christian School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a University of Arkansas Gifted and Talented Scholar and a state discus and basketball champion. She participated in the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies as a guest entertainer and aspires to become an architect.

Thursday night, August 18 and Friday night, August 19 will complete the preliminary portions of the event and the Miss America's Outstanding Teen final night of competition will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night, August 20. For those interested in purchasing tickets for the event, please call Ticketmaster.

###

A sister company to the Miss America Organization, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens. The 2005 competition will be held at the Linda Chapin Theater, Orange County Convention Center from August 17-20. For more information, please go to www.MAOTeen.org. Additional information about Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, as well as updated competition news and downloadable images, can be found at http://www.MAOTeen.org. Media who wish to cover the 2005 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant can download a Press Credential package online at http://www.MAOTeen.org/credentials.

Take me out to the ballgame…

2005-08-15T16:13:00.000-05:00

In addition to the Rangers vs. the Indians, tomorrow is Juvenile Diabetes research night at Jacobs Field with Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine and Charity Band's .

By ‘charity bands’ they mean the rubber bracelets, popularized by Lance Armstrong’s yellow Livestrong bands. There is already a red band for diabetes, but Marlia is working on a silver bracelet with the Miss Ohio logo and her motto.

At tomorrow’s baseball game Marlia will be involved with many activities; the game starts at 7 p.m., so head out to the park!

Popcorn Press: Krouse proud of win in Popcorn pageant

2005-08-15T12:34:00.000-05:00

[Above Katelyn Osborne crowns friend Mary Krouse; photo by James Miller/ The Marion Star]

Krouse proud of win in Popcorn pageant
By BRENDA DONEGAN For the Marion Star

MARION - Mary Krouse stepped out of her comfort zone to perform a jazz dance to "Proud Mary" at the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Scholarship pageant Saturday night.

Krouse, who said she feels much more comfortable performing ballet, decided to "go for it."

It paid off.

Krouse was named the 2005 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen from a field of 10 young women vying to reign over events of the local festival in September. She won a $1,000 scholarship and $1,000 for expenses and will also represent Marion at Miss Ohio in June 2006, at Mansfield.

The new Miss Marion Popcorn said she was shocked when they called her name at the culmination of the contest at River Valley High School.

"I was actually really happy to receive the spirit award," she said.

"I'm excited to go to Miss Ohio and have the chance to compete," the contestant who also won the crowd pleaser award said. "This is so exciting. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work."

Krouse said her biggest supporter and mainstay has been her mother.
"My mom has done everything," she said. "For me to be able to do all I've done in life. She's been my rock."

But the pride goes both ways. Her mother Karen said she was so proud to sit in the audience and watch her daughter in the competition.

"I'm very proud of her," Karen said right after the competition. "Both here tonight and her accomplishments in school."

Her mother said she believed Mary had a chance after the four runners-up were named. "I was a little bit nervous," Mary said. "I thought she had a chance since she had done well in interview and across the board."

Mary has taken dance since about age 4 and her mother believes her personality comes from dancing for so many years. She also believes her stage presence comes from years and years of dancing.

Mary is a member of Straub Dance in Westerville, member of the Columbus Youth Pre-Professional Program, New Albany Ballet Co., also a youth pre-professional program and the Billy Bruce Jazz Force.

It was a bitter sweet moment for 2005 Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen Katelyn Osborne as she placed the crown on Krouse.

"I know Mary personally," Obsorne said, adding they competed against each other in the 2003 Junior Miss Pageant when Krouse was first runner-up and Osborne was second-runner up. "She'll do a good job."

For Osborne, her reign completed a whirlwind year of appearances and the Miss Ohio.

"It's been a good learning experience," she said. "I learned a lot - some good, some bad. I wouldn't change it for anything."

Kay Gwinner, co-chairman of the pageant, said she and Carol Ault, the other co-chairman, were pleased with the quality of talent of the girls had in this year's pageant.

"The girls did a great job," Gwinner said. "I thought the evening was actually great."

Gwinner noted she and Ault appreciated the talent and hard work of Doria Traynham who designed and did the background set. She also offered kudos to Val Hedges, who produced the pageant for the first time.

A cousin of 1998 Miss Marion Popcorn Queen, Ginny Morrow, Karen said she and Mary knew what to look for and expect when Mary entered the pageant.

Krouse said she is aware of her duties at the Popcorn Festival and looks forward to those events including being a part of the parade and opening act for the entertainment.

"I'm a big fan of Foreigner so I'm happy with that," she said. "I'm so looking forward to going to the festival and a be a role model for the younger girls."

[Above photo L-R: Jodi Greene, Brittany Born, Mary Krouse, Rachel Maris and Holly Blinn; by James Miller/ The Marion Star]

Queen and court

Queen: Mary Krouse, junior at Ohio University majoring in journalism and pre-law. The daughter of Karen Krouse, Powell, and Joe Krouse, Bremer, performed a jazz dance to "Proud Mary." She is a graduate of Olentangy High School.

First Runner-up: Rachel Maris, a student at Ohio Northern University. The daughter of Terry and Kathy Maris performed the vocal "Whistle Down the Wind." She is a graduate of Ada High School.

Second Runner-up: Brittany Born, a senior in politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University. She performed a vocal solo, "Someone to Watch Over Me." The Harding High School graduate is the daughter of Larry and Jan Born.

Third Runner-up: Holly Blinn, a sophomore music/dance major at Otterbein College. "Time to Say Goodbye" was her vocal talent. She is the daughter of Bob and Ronda Blinn. She is a graduate of Harding High School.

Fourth Runner-Up: Jodi Greene, a senior in early childhood education at The Ohio State University at Marion, performed the vocal "Orange Colored Sky." She is the daughter of Brian and Sandy Greene. She is a graduate of Elgin High School.

Congratulations to the New Miss Marion Popcorn Festival, Mary Krouse!

2005-08-13T23:27:00.000-05:00

An article from the Marion Star:

Krouse wins Popcorn crown
Staff Reports

In her first attempt at a pageant, Mary Krouse came out a winner with the title of Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen 2005.

Krouse, a junior journalism and pre-law student at Ohio University, performed a jazz dance to "Proud Mary" for her talent. The Olentangy High School graduate used Funding and Supporting Cancer research and prevention for her platform. She is the daughter of Karen Krouse of Powell and Joe Krouse of Bremer.

First runner up is Rachel Maris from Ohio Northern University.

Second runner up is Britt Born, a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Third runner up is Holly Blinn, a sophomore at Otterbein College.

Fourth runner up is Jodi Greene,a senior at The Ohio State University at Marion.
-

Unfortunately I was not able to make it to the pageant as planned tonight (see post below).

I’m sure Katelyn did a fabulous job. I happen to know the winner, Mary, and Katelyn are good friends, so it must have been an especially wonderful crowning moment. I’m very upset that I missed it, but hopefully photos from the Marion Star will be coming soon.

Congratulations to Mary and all the contestants!

My New Platform: The Importance of Everyone in the Entire World Owning a Cell Phone…

2005-08-13T15:49:00.000-05:00

Just kidding, kind of.

Here I sit stranded in my new favorite dress, adorned with my “Hi, I’m a titleholder” rhinestone crown pin. I should be on my way to support my Miss Ohio roommate Katelyn Osborne as she crowns a new Miss Marion Popcorn Festival in Caledonia, two hours away.

However my car won’t start. My only hope of contacting my parents (who I am supposed to be meeting in Findlay) is to call the restaurant, at which we weren’t really going to eat, just use their parking lot to leave a car, and ask an employee to go looking around the lot for one of two possible makes of vehicle being driven by a guy who looks like Canadian comedian, Colin Mochrie. Scary but true!

My parents don’t have a cell phone and it’s times like this that I really feel someone should adopt the platform “The Importance of Everyone in the Entire World Owning a Cell Phone!”

If we somehow make it to the pageant, I’ll report the results as soon as I can; if not, I’ll be there in spirit and the nine young women who leave crownless are welcome to come take a baseball bat to my car to relieve post-pageant frustration!

Colin Mochrie above; My Dad below...see what I mean!
[Photo of Colin from the Whose Line Is It? website.]

Bass Boat for Sale!

2005-08-12T03:57:00.000-05:00

In addition to being sweet and handsome and smart, my boyfriend is an outdoorsman. He owns a bass boat. To which I say, oh goody.

A funny story- this spring his first bass tournament fell on my birthday. It just so happened the tournament was near my hometown on Grand Lake St. Marys; the lake for which the Celina Lake Festival is held. Having been Miss Lake Festival 2001, I figured I should venture out onto said lake and then I’d be home to see my family on my birthday, in addition becoming the coolest girlfriend ever by participating in a bass tournament. Worst idea EVER!

Don’t get me wrong, I like the outdoors. I grew up in the country, my grandpa’s a farmer, I’ve been fishing before… but two things I hate are being cold and getting up ridiculously early, both of which come standard with a bass tournament.

I guess I had forgotten what a small town I came from because none of the gas stations were open for me to start my birthday off with some coffee or cappuccino. Then to immediately get away from the other boats we decided to run 60 mph across the lake… bbbrrrrr…

I was so cold I never even touched a fishing pole. (In my own defense the temperature had unexpectedly dropped, the days leading up the tournament were very hot, to the point I had laid out in a swimsuit tanning on the boat while my boyfriend prepped it for the tournament.) Thank goodness about three hours into it the trolling motor broke and we left early. I maintain that I wasn’t sending voodoo thoughts toward the boat… honest!

I digress; the point of this post is that because my boyfriend has only gone to a couple tournaments over the past few years he has decided it would be nice to actually park his vehicle in his garage this coming winter. I will obviously be saddened to see the boat go, but if it means we get to go on vacation, well, I guess that’s just something I’ll have to deal with.

Seriously, he’s been advertising it with his sources all summer with no luck, so I figured, well duh! Who in the pageant community wouldn’t want a bass boat! :)

It's a 1989 18ft Ranger 373V with a 150xp Evinrude outboard motor. This is a Bass Masters Classic tournament boat fully equipped with items such as 2 consoles, 2 livewells, custom flipping deck, 24/36v trolling motor, hummingbird finders front and rear and much more than I can list.

So please, view the photos below or on my Webshots for larger images and leave a comment if you’re interested.
*Boyfriend not included!

[Please note: The contents of this post were meant to be humorous. Yes, I am that sarcastic but no, I am not really that prissy...except for the coffee bit, I do require coffee in the morning! ]

Allie LaForce, Miss Ohio Teen USA wins Miss Teen USA, putting Ohio back on the national pageant map!

2005-08-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

Ohio Teen Crowned Miss Teen USA, Daughter of Miss Teen Ohio 1977

From the Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. Aug 8, 2005 — Allie LaForce did her mother one better. LaForce the daughter of Miss Teen Ohio 1977 was named Miss Teen USA Monday night, defeating 50 other contestants to take home the crown and a prize package worth an estimated $250,000.

The 16-year-old's winnings include a one-year modeling contract with Trump Modeling Management, a custom-designed wardrobe, a four-day trip to the Caribbean or Mexico, a scholarship to The School for Film and Television in New York and a one-time appearance on the NBC soap opera "Passions."

During her reign, LaForce will also share an apartment in Manhattan with Miss USA and Miss Universe, though she will fly back and forth to Ohio to finish high school.

LaForce plays varsity basketball, volleyball and softball and also sang at Carnegie Hall with her school choir.

LaForce said she plans to carry on the work on drugs and alcohol awareness started by her predecessor, Louisiana's Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004.

"I definitely think it's a big issue facing teens and it can be changed with a little positive influence," she said.

Catherine Laurion, Miss Michigan Teen USA, was named runner-up.

Congratulations Allie for doing Ohio proud; it has been over five years since a buckeye has cracked the top 15 or top 10 at a nationally televised pageant, let alone take the crown! It was also great to see neighboring/Midwest states Illinois, West Virginia and Michigan in the Top 5.

[Above photos by Associated Press/Mark Saltz]

Popcorn Press: 10 To Compete for Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2005

2005-08-08T12:58:00.002-05:00

At Miss Ohio this past June my roommate for the week was the lovely Katelyn Osborn, Miss Marion Popcorn Festival; funny that, because my Miss Ohio roomie back in ’03 was Emily Fitzpatrick, during her popcorn reign. They are both wonderful women, competitors and friends, giving me nothing but the best to say about ‘popcorn people,’ as I affectionately call them!

[Above, Katelyn and I pose with our wonderful chaperone, Ginny, in the Miss Ohio dressing room.]

Given these wonderful relationships, my parents and I decided it was high time we visit this popcorn extravaganza! We will be attending the pageant this Saturday evening (August 13).

The article and contestant photos below are from the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival website, and it seems as though they copied it from The Marion Star.

10 To Compete for Miss Marion Popcorn Festival 2005

BY BRENDA J. DONEGAN

MARION - Giving up the crown as Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen will be a bittersweet moment for Katelyn Osborne, 2004 queen.

"It has been a long year with a lot of great opportunities," Osborn said. "I've met most of the girls who will be competing this year and they're a great group of girls. It will be neat to see who will replace me."

Osborne said her experiences as Miss Marion Popcorn and participating in the Miss Ohio pageant were valuable learning experiences for her.

"I met a lot of great people through the pageant and festival and helping me get ready for Miss Ohio," she said. "At Miss Ohio, I learned a lot about myself, how I interact with people and how far I can push myself."

And what kind of advice would Osborne offer to the Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen hopefuls?

"The most important thing is to be yourself," she said. "Don't try to be somebody you're not."

Osborne also noted she has appreciated the ongoing support of local pageant and festival volunteers.

"It was wonderful to see all the support and to see all of them rooting for me at Miss Ohio," she said. "They were there for me all the way."

[In above photo by Jason J. Moylet of The Mansfield News Journal, Katelyn performs her talent, "By Strauss" at Miss Ohio.]

Osborne has used $1,450 in scholarship monies towards a Music Industry degree at Capital University. The 19-year-old daughter of Kathy and Bob Walczak and Ben and Nanci Osborne, she is a graduate of Marion Harding High School.

Ten young ladies are vying for the title of Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Queen.

Holly Blinn, a sophomore at Otterbein College, where she is majoring in music/dance, will perform the opera vocal "Time to Say Goodbye" for her talent. Her platform is Give Blood - Save Lives: The American Red Cross. The Harding High School graduate is the daughter of Bob and Ronda Blinn of Marion.

Therapeutic horseback riding for the handicapped is the platform for Missy Radel, a University of Findlay freshman where she plans to major in equestrian studies, western studies and forensic science. For her talent she will perform a country tap to "Southbound Train." She is the daughter of Howard and Marlene Radel of Cardington and graduate of Cardington Lincoln High School.

"Whistle Down the Wind," a vocal solo, is what Ada High School graduate Rachel Maris will perform for her talent. The importance of pediatric eye examinations is her platform. She is a student at Ohio Northern University where she is majoring in early childhood education. She is the daughter of Terry and Kathy Maris.

Mary Krouse, a junior journalism and pre-law student at Ohio University, will perform a jazz dance to "Proud Mary" for her talent. The Olentangy High School graduate will use Funding and Supporting Cancer research and prevention for her platform. She is the daughter of Karen Krouse of Powell and Joe Krouse of Bremer.

Performing the vocal "The Main Event" will be Amy Dorfe, a pre-medicine and nuclear medicine major at the University of Findlay. Helping Disabled Children is her platform. The Indian Lake High School graduate is the daughter of Harry and Debbie Dorfe of Marion. [Photo of Amy was not able to be saved or copied from Miss Marion Popcorn Festival website.]

The Ohio State University junior Ashley Eblin will use Today's Living is Tomorrow's Life for her platform. The Ridgedale High School graduate is majoring in business marketing with a minor in biology. The daughter of Winnie Brewer of Marion will perform the vocal "Sam You Made the Pants Too Long" for her talent.

Ajah Collier, a freshman at The Ohio State University, will perform a tap dance to "Caravan" for her talent. The Marion Harding High School graduate is majoring in international business. Her platform is Down Syndrome Awareness. She is the daughter of Peg Collier of Marion.

Performing the vocal "Someone to Watch Over Me" is Britt Born, a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University where she is majoring in politics and government with a minor in Spanish. Her platform is CASA: Court-Appointed Special Advocates. The Marion Harding High School graduate is the daughter of Larry and Jan Born.

Children Building Confidence through Dance is the platform for Bradford College freshman Shannon Jerome. She will perform a tap dance to "La La La" for her talent. The veterinary technology major and Marion Harding High School graduate is the daughter of Teresa Jerome of Marion.

Jodi Greene, a senior at The Ohio State University at Marion, where she is majoring in early childhood education, will perform the vocal "Orange Colored Sky" for her talent. Her platform is "Together We Can Save a Life." The Elgin High School graduate is the daughter of Brian and Sandy Greene of LaRue.

Pageant Information
What: Miss Marion Popcorn Pageant
When:Aug. 13
Time:7 p.m., competition begins at 7:30
Where:River Valley High School Auditorium
Tickets:$10 each sold at the door

How they are judged
Private interview- 25 percent
Evening Wear- 15 percent
Talent- 35 percent
Lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit- 10 percent
Casual wear- 10 percent
On stage question- 5 percent

The Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Scholorship Pageant is a Miss America Affiliate Pageant open to young women in the following counties: Crawford, Delaware, Hardin, Marion, Morrow, Union, and Wyandot counties.

Best of luck to all the contestants and to Katelyn as she gives away her title and in her future endeavors- they sky’s the limit for talent and heart like hers!

Congratulations to the New Miss North Coast, Jillian Dansko!

2005-08-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

Last night a tap dancer crowned another tap dancer in Brunswick Ohio.

Miss North Coast 2004, Kristin Swinehart, was named first runner up at her third trip to Miss Ohio this past June. Unfortunately, Kristin has now “aged-out” of the program; I’m sure she did a great job last night giving up her final Miss America Organization title. She is a wonderful young woman and I wish her the best of luck where ever the future takes her.

[Photo on the left: Kristin Swinehart dancing at Miss Ohio; taken by Jason J. Moylet from The Mansfield News Journal.]

[Photo above of Jillian after the pageant; permission granted by photographer.]

Kristin crowned Jillian Dansko, a Miss Ohio Top 10 finalist in 2003. Jillian has worked very hard within the program and is a very deserving winner. Her platform has to do with teaching dance to children with disabilities. If I remember correctly, it is called “Dancing Wheels,” but I may be wrong, or it may have changed. She is a Broadcast Journalism major at John Carrol University. In addition to being crowned the new Miss North Coast, Jillian won the swimsuit portion of the competition.

First runner up honors went to Heather Strickland. Heather recites the popular Maya Angelou poem, “Phenomenal Woman” during talent. According to information from The Miss Greater Cleveland website she studies Criminal Justice at Kent State University and advocated the D.A.R.E program as her platform. [Photo on the right from The Miss Greater Cleveland website.]

The second runner up was Jodi Greene; she sang “Orange Colored Sky.” She attend(s/ed) The Ohio State Unviersity and her platform is Recognizing Children with Learning Disabilities. [Education and platform information and photo on the left from The Miss Ohio River website.]

A non-finalist talent award went to Kristine Zindrowski, a piano player. Kristine also attends The Ohio State University, majoring in Nursing and Spanish; her platform is Supporting Roles and Achieving Goals. [Kristine's information and photo on the right are from The Miss Greater Cleveland website.]

*Again, I apologize for lack of photo size continuity due to the photos coming from several different sites.

Congratulations to the New Miss Ohio Valley, Catherine Segenberger

2005-08-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

The results of this pageant, held Sunday required a bit of detective work! As of yet, I haven’t found any press on the event, which is odd because it had such good pre-coverage. Also, since it is a closed program, no one in the “pageant grapevine” seems to have gone or knew right away who had won.

Finally, from photos of the event from Newbrough Photo Studio, the winner was identified.

Last week an article reported Catherine is a Steubenville resident and is majoring in music therapy with a minor in psychology at Baldwin-Wallace College. Her platform is increasing the awareness of music therapy. I assume she was Carissa’s runner up last year, as it has been mentioned that she competed in last years Sweetheart Pageant (the last pageant of the year, just for runners up.)

Dream Big Champion of Champions Results

2005-08-02T02:21:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Aaron Blevins who won the audience vote and was named Dream Big “Champion of Champions” tonight at the Auglaize County Fair!

Aaron was the Champion of the fourth season of Dream Big, winning a hot tub package; tonight he won $500 and will open for T. Graham Brown and the Rack of Spam Band tomorrow night. (And by “tomorrow” I guess I actually mean today, as it’s the wee hours of the morning… Tuesday… I mean Tuesday!)

[Photo above of Aaron Blevins from www.stmarys.us; to see a clip of Aaron click here]

Other Dream Big Champions who participated included Cynthia Cruz Lugo (season two), Hope White (season three), Rick Adkins (season five) and Erin Michael (season six). Dream Big runners-up who sang tonight were Bryon Sparks, Duane Rios, Chaz Woods, Tim Newman and I.

*Clips linked above with some contestants names required Windows Media Player and are from various episodes of Dream Big, not tonight's contest.

Thankfully, visiting with the new Miss West Central Ohio, past Dream Big competitors and getting to sing with a live band made it worth enduring horrid summer heat. This was my first experience singing with a live band and it was incredible! They were a wonderfully talented group and made both performing and watching the other performers even more enjoyable than usual.

As I alluded above, the new Miss West Central Ohio, Kyrsten Chambers also made her first appearance at the fair and Dream Big contest tonight. It was nice to get to know her a bit.

[Photo above: Kyrstin onstage with T. Graham Brown. I apologize for the low quality picture due to shadows from tent poles, but hey, what a great first appearance for her!]

Another plus to the day was finally getting to view a television pilot I filmed back in May with famed country songwriters, Tommy Barnes and Monty Holmes and Kal, Tim and the gang at the St. Marys Theatre. I was the co-host with Tommy and Monty was our guest for this talk show focusing on songwriters. Of course it needs edited and pitched to networks, but who knows what may or may not happen with it in the future.

Anyway, special thanks to the Rack of Spam Band for playing for all of us armatures! Also, to the St. Marys theatre folks for making this happen and providing an air-conditioned RV to escape to! Prior to announcing the winner T. Graham Brown sang a few songs, as a teaser to tomorrow night’s concert. It was a treat to hear live and then chat with a Billboard chart-topper.

T. Graham Brown and I

Miss Greater Cleveland/ Miss Open City Photo and Information Update

2005-08-02T02:15:00.000-05:00

Miss Open City, Nicole Cuglewski (left) and Miss Greater Cleveland, Laura Estrada (right)

The Miss Greater Cleveland/Miss Open City contestants and winners

Nicole is from Brook Park and a Broadcasting / Mass Communications major at Baldwin Wallace College. During the talent portion she sang something, I still haven't heard what; her platform is Remember the Children.

Other photos I which were not available when I published my first post about this pageant are as follow:

Third runner up, Katelyn Koval
[pictured to the right]

Below [left-right] are Community Service winners,
Branden Dickerson and Andrea Andryscik.

Amanda Wilgor [left] also recieved a Community Service award and was named Most Photogenic.

To view all fifteen contestants, click here.

[All photos in this post are from The Miss Greater Cleveland Website]

Miss West Central Ohio Press: Chambers Crowned

2005-08-02T00:39:00.000-05:00

[Photo and caption by Dave Heirholzer of The Daily Standard, Monday 8.1.05]

St. Marys teen wins the crown

Kyrsten Chambers of St. Marys was crowned Miss West Central Ohio during a scholarship pageant Saturday at the St. Marys Theatre. She is now qualified to compete in the Miss Ohio pageant. Chambers, a 2005 graduate of Memorial High School, performed a dance routine for the pageant. Out of the nine women competing, other awards went to Jessica Barrett of Wapakoneta, first runner-up; Colleen Creamer of Lima, talent award; and Schelia Wheeler of St. Marys, Samantha Graham Spirit Award. More than $6,000 in scholarships were awarded.

[Photo and article by Mike Burkholder of The Evening Leader, Monday 8.1.05]

Chambers Crowned

The Evening Leader

By MIKE BURKHOLDER

ST. MARYS -- Eight women vied for the chance to become the next Miss Ohio Saturday at the St. Marys Theater. After interviews, singing and dancing, the judges crowned a St. Marys woman Miss West Central Ohio.

Kyrstan Nicole Chambers, 18, took home the top honors during the pageant, paving the way for the opportunity to compete for the Miss Ohio crown next June. According to Chambers, hearing her name called was a very big surprise."I'm so excited," Chambers said shortly after being crowned. "It feels wonderful and all the other girls (were great)."The contests were judged on a wide array of areas ranging from evening wear to a talent display. Chambers revealed that while she was confident answering various questions, the talent portion of the pageant worried her some.

"The hardest thing for me was the talent," she noted. "I'm not talented in the same mainstream ways, but I'm talented in other areas." For her talent, Chambers performed a dance number to "So What" by Miles Davis. Despite the fact the show was broadcasted live, Chambers noted she was not nervous performing in front of the cameras."You couldn't even tell (it was live)," she added. "I was looking for the cameras and it didn't seem like they were on."

Jessica Leigh Barrett of Wapakoneta earned First Runner Up honors; Schelia NaRay Wheeler of St. Marys took home the Samantha Graham Spirit Award; and Colleen Briana Creamer of Lima won the non-finalist talent award.

In addition to the contestants, the pageant featured several prominent guests. Miss American 1988 Kaye Lani Raye Rafko-Wilson served as the pageant's host and offered some words of advice on how to view life as a pageant contestant."Sometimes I placed high and sometimes I placed low," she said. "It wasn't a goal I set out for, it was a gift and I just learned to take advantage of it."

Perhaps the most moving moment of the event came when Kalvin Wayne sang "Unknown Soldier" accompanied by members of VFW Post 9289. Following the patriotic tribute, audience members erupted in a loud ovation."Thank you for protecting our freedom," Rafko-Wilson said. "To all the men and women who served to protect (our country) thank you."

The event also marked the finale for the 2004 Miss West Central Ohio, Pam Roessner. The Fort Recovery native went on to the Miss Ohio Pageant and took home the spirit award. As a farewell, Roessner performed a flute solo for the audience.

As well as going on to represent West Central Ohio in the Miss Ohio pageant, Chambers earned a $2,500 cash scholarship, a $250 gift certificate from Elizabeth Michael and dress from Island Dress Shoppe. While Chambers will no doubt be busy this year. She will enroll at Miami University in the fall and hopes to continue fighting to eliminate childhood illiteracy."My goal is to promote literacy (for children)," she noted. "Childhood illiteracy is such a big problem, (and) I want to diminish it."

For photos of the entire pageant, go to Ridershots

and click on Miss West Central Ohio Pageant 2005.

Come Out to the Auglaize County Fair for the Dream Big Champions Competition and T. Graham Brown!

2005-08-01T02:09:00.000-05:00

Over the past couple years I have participated in many season of the Dream Big talent contest at the St. Marys Theatre. It has given me ample performance experience and been an incredible opportunity, as it is aired on television in Lima, Dayton, Ft. Wayne, Mansfield and for a time, Toledo.

Tonight at the Auglaize County Fair in Wapakoneta several champions of the past Dream Big seasons and some of their runners-up, myself included, will compete in the entertainment tent at 7 p.m. for a ‘champion of champions’ type contest.

The winner will receive $500 in cash and be the opening act tomorrow night for chart-topping country musician T. Graham Brown and his Rack of Spam Band.

The band has also agreed to play for the Dream Big Champions contest. For both Dream Big and pageants I have to use “canned accompaniment,” so I am so excited to experience singing with a live band!

The winner will be selected by audience vote, so please rally the troops and come out to the fair and vote for me!

Congratulations to the New Miss West Central Ohio, Kyrsten Chambers!

2005-07-31T04:16:00.000-05:00

Tonight I attended the Miss West Central Ohio pageant in St. Marys. Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson was an excellent host. In a rare treat she even performed her Miss America winning hula dance. Beauties of America's 50's, Doreen Luke was also in attendance. I, of course, took photos with Kaye Lani, Doreen, Pam and Kyrsten, but unfortunately due to the lighting in the theatre and my lacking understanding of the flash on the digital camera I was using, they did not turn out. The show was a smooth two hours, as it was broadcast live on WLIO TV with entertainment from a local dance troop, some sassy singing nuns and Nashville recording artist, Kalvin Wayne. For those in the viewing area who missed it, it is being aired again tonight (Sunday 7.31) at 11:30 p.m.

The inagural Miss West Central Ohio (2004), Pam Roessner, reved up the crowd with her rendition of “Duilin’ Banjos” on the flute and was radient throughout the night. She gave a heartfelt farewell speech thanking many, including Nancy Wheeler, Jerry and Melissa of the Miss Lake Festival Crew, Sharon Hirlihey, Terri Tinsman, her first Miss Ohio roomie Julie Imboden, this years roomie Marisa Minor, Emily Fitzpatirck, myself and my parents, of course her wonderful family, fiance Neil and many others. At the evenings end Pam crowned a beautiful new Miss West Central Ohio, Kyrsten Chambers.

Kyrsten is a former St. Marys Summer Fest Queen. Inspired by overcoming her own reading difficulties as a child, her platform is Literacy in Youth. For the talent cometition Kyrsten performed a lyrical style dance, using a fan as a prop. When the song’s title, “So What” was announced I immediately thought of Metallica… music I doubt has ever graced a pageant stage! Rather than metal the music (and her dance) had a sultry jazzy vibe, with a Frank Sanatra-esque feeling to it. [Kyrsten pictured on the right]

The adorable Jessica Barrett was selected the first runner up. Like most of the contestants, this was Jessica’s first pageant experience, but during talent it was clear she is no stranger to the stage. She performed the song “Popular” from the musical Wicked. [Jessica pictured on the left]

Non-finalist talent honors went to Colleen Creamer, she burned up the stage in a red velvet lyrical dance costume, performing to the song “Fever.” [Colleen pictured on the right]

Schelia N. Wheeler received the Spirit award (Miss Congeniality). Her fun personality was evident during her talent, an amusing ventriloquist act. [Schelia pictured on the right]

[Photos above- top: Rachel and Amanda; bottom: Kendra and Renee]

The remaining non-finalists were as follows:

Rachel Maris sang “Big Time” during the talent competition and looked stunning throughout the night. My parents and I were not the least bit suprised by the outcome, but also thought Rachel was a front runner; we hope she continues to compete.

Amanda Sampson sang a lovely art song titled “Who will bind my lavender.”

Renee Kill performed a sultry vocal to the song "Some Kind of Wonderful."

Kendra Stephens performed sign language to a Christian song "Song of Love."

I know pageant organizers were nervous about staying within a live television schedule, but it seemed to run well. One oddity, however, was that all the contestants wore one piece swimsuits. Apparently this was enforced to appease a conservative sponsor; I can’t help but question whether it is within a local programs jurisdiction to impose such a rule on its contestants…? All-in-all the pageant provided a full-circle perspective, or at least that’s what I got. Meaning, I found it interesting to watch these first-time contestants with their apparent nerves and unprofessional accompaniment cuts versus a pageant vet like Pam versus a Miss America. I think without really meaning to the Miss West Central Ohio program put on a show that emphasized how the Miss America program can take a girl with raw talent and positive intentions, like a diamond in the rough and turn her into a refined young woman.

Congratulations to everyone involved. Best of luck to Kyrsten in the coming year as Miss WCO and to Pam in your new life with Neil.

[All black and white contestant headshots were copied from the Miss West Central Ohio website.]

Congrats to the New Miss Greater Cleveland, Laura Elizabeth Estrada and New Miss Open City, Nicole Cuglewski

2005-07-31T02:30:00.000-05:00

This evening two young women earned local titles in North Royalton; Miss Greater Cleveland 2004, Paulette Penzvalto crowned a new Miss G.C., Laura Estrada and Miss Open City 2004, Allie Krucek crowned a new Miss O.C., Nicole Cuglewski.

Laura competed in the pageant last year and was first runner up and evening wear winner; this year in addition to the crown she won the talent competition. Laura is an opera singer; I have not yet heard what she performed at this years pageant. According to information about last years pageant on the Miss G.C. website, she attends Oberlin Conservatory of Music, but is originally from Texas and advocates teen driving safety as her platform.

[Photo above of Laura from the Miss G.C. website]

At this point I have no information or photo of Nicole Cuglewski. As far as I know she is new to the pageant scene, but still managed to win On-stage Question, Casual Wear and the “lucky lines” (program book ads) contest in addition to the crown.

First runner up honors went to my favorite Barbie doll, Melanie Murphy. She also won the private interview and swimsuit competition. For talent, (I assume) Melanie performs and upbeat ballet en point to Celine Dion’s “World on a String.” [Photo on the right of Melanie from the Miss Ohio website]

Another blonde bombshell, Jillian Dansko, was named second runner up. Jillian also won the Evening Wear award. She is a tap dancer, but I am not sure what song she is performing to in this new pageant season. [Photo of Jillian on the right from the Miss Ohio River website]

Melanie and Jillian both also received awards for their Community Service. Their commonalities continue- both Melanie and Jillian have placed in the Top 10 at Miss Ohio and I have no doubt they will both be back on the Mansfield stage.

The third runner up was another new name to me, Katelyn Koval. I have no additional information or photo of her.

The Spirit Award (a.k.a. Miss Congeniality) went to Kristine Zindroski; I believe this makes three years in a row now that the other contestants have recognized her for being the sweetheart that she is. [Photo on the right of Kristine from the miss G.C. website]

A fellow Falcon, Kristin Haas was awarded Most Prompt. [Photo on the left of Kristin from the Miss G.C. website]

Amanda Wilgor won Most Photogenic and was also awarded for her Community Service. Ironically, no photo is available for her!

Jessica Wiseman, Branden Dickerson and Andrea Andryscik also received Community Service awards. [Photo of Jessica on the right from the Miss Ohio River website; no photos found for Andrea or Branden.]

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Congratulations to Sylvia and “Murf” (Harvey) for yet another year. Also, to Paulette and Allie, best of luck in your future pursuits and to Laura and Nicole as you begin your Miss Ohio preparations!

[Photo on the left of Sylvia from the Miss G.C. website]

I apologize for the varying picture sizes, it is because they did not all come from the same site.

A Pageant-filled Weekend

2005-07-29T01:36:00.000-05:00

This weekend four young women will earn local crowns and begin their journeys to Miss Ohio!

Miss Ohio Valley

The reigning Miss Ohio Valley, Carissa Cook, photo from www.missohio.com

Miss Ohio Valley is a local closed to Belmont, Carrol, Columbiana, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties. It will take place Sunday afternoon; scroll down to my previous post for additional photos of Carissa Cook, the reigning Miss Ohio Valley and an article about the pageant, including information about this year's contestants.

Miss Greater Cleveland and Miss Open City

The reigning Miss Greater Cleveland, Paulette Penzvalto and Miss Open City, Allie Krucek, photos from www.missohio.com

This pageant is known as a double crown, meaning the two highest scoring contestants will both receive local titles. It is held in the Cleveland suburb of North Royalton, making the Miss Greater Cleveland title obvious. However, the title Miss Open City not only comes with a crown, but also a year of explaining where or what “open city” is?! It simply means the pageant is “open” and eligible women from anywhere in Ohio can compete. Maybe they should call it Miss Open State instead…

Anyway, an official contestant list has not been released, but it is usually a large pageant with around 20 women competing. Entertaining the crowd and giving away their crowns will be the lovely and talented Miss Open City, Allie Krucek and Miss Greater Cleveland, Paulette Penzvalto.

[In the photos on the right by Jason J. Molyet of the Mansfield News Journal, Paulette and Allie perform their talents at Miss Ohio.]

The pageant will be tomorrow evening; for more information and directions go to www.missohio.org/webpages/localpages/clevelandF.htm

The Miss Greater Cleveland/Miss Open City pageant website is

www.geocities.com/missgreatercleveland/index.htm.

Miss West Central Ohio

The reigning Miss West Central Ohio, Pam Roessner; photo from www.missohio.com

Also tomorrow evening, the St. Marys Theatre will host the Miss West Central Ohio. Like Miss Ohio Valley, it is a closed pageant; all contestants must live, work or attend school in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer County, Logan, Shelby or Van Wert Counties.

This is the pageant of the weekend that I am opting to attend because not only is it is near my hometown, it is being hosted by Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson and broadcast live on WLIO, NBC Lima.

[Photo of Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilsonon the right from www.monroeccc.edu/foundation/board.htm]

Also, the beautiful Pam Roessner will be giving up her title. Pam is a fellow “Mercer County Miss” and also who I crowned when I gave up my first title, Miss Lake Festival.

[Photo on the right was taken by Jason J. Molyet of the Mansfield News Journal while Pam modeled her evening gown duirng Miss Ohio.]

Eight young women will be vying for Pam’s crown; their names and platforms are as follows:

- Jessica Barrett of Wapakoneta- Volunteerism

- Amanda Sampson of St. Marys- S.H.A.R.E.- Start Helping, Assisting, Reaching and Experiencing

- Kendra Stephens of Celina- Harsher penalties for Underage Drinking and Parents who Contribute

-Colleen Creamer of Lima- Promoting Children’s Literacy

-Renee Kill of St. Marys- Motivating Girls of All Ages to be Interested in Math and Science

-Kyrsten [no last name provided] of St. Marys- Promoting Literacy in Youth

-Rachel Maris of Ada- The Importance of Pediatric Eye Examinations

-Schelia Wheeler of St. Marys- Educating People about Automated External Defibrillators

Photos of the contestants can be viewed on the Miss West Central website at http://misswestcentralohio.4t.com/, as well as directions and other information about the pageant.

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Best of luck to all the contestants competing this weekend and to Pam, Paulette, Allie and Carissa as you give away your crowns!

Miss Ohio Valley Press: 12 vie for title of Miss Ohio Valley

2005-07-28T02:48:00.000-05:00

This weekend four more local titles will be awarded, Miss Greater Cleveland, Miss Open City, Miss West Central and Miss Ohio Valley.

Below is a news article and contestant information about the last, Miss Ohio Valley:

12 vie for title of Miss Ohio Valley

The Steubenville Herald Star (www.hsconnect.com)

WINTERSVILLE - It is more than just a beauty pageant these days. The Miss Ohio Valley Scholarship Program is one that helps ensure the four qualities of service, style, scholarship and success in not only Miss Ohio Valley, but also in all the ladies who vie for the title. The program also helps participants in setting and obtaining their goals while in college with the aid of a variety of scholarships awarded through sponsorships and money raised by the Miss Ohio Valley Entertainers Team.

The program is celebrating its 10th year in existence and Executive Director Lisa Poole has been involved in the program since the beginning.

This year's contest will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Wheeling Island Gaming Resort.

Within the 10 years, the biggest change, or improvement, that Poole has seen within the program is how the program, of a beauty pageant, is perceived by others.

"The community is finally realizing that these girls are wonderful," she said. Her view is that in the program's beginning, people were thinking "oh, this is just a beauty pageant," but as the years have gone on people have seen "the success of the girls' involvement with the community and overall people are beginning to see just how smart, talented and active they are in their community."

One area which Poole would like to be slightly different is the swimsuit portion of the competition. She would like to see it geared more toward "active wear" and for this year's competition it will be known as "Lifestyle and Fitness." She understands that the swimsuit portion is a big draw for people and that it is a tradition but she wants it to be more about the confidence of the female in her own skin. "The swimsuit mentality has changed," she said as far as who wins this portion of the competition. She stated that recently the winners have been different sizes and shapes and it is not necessarily who is the fittest but who carries themselves with the most confidence.

Poole also stated that in years past, the female contestants would "try to fit the mold of Miss America, and now we are pushing the fact that individuality is the most important thing."
The program understands the importance of changing with the times by allowing some piercing, tattoos and hair color not of the norm, according to Poole.

The whole experience of helping with the pageant is something that draws Poole to continue. She said that it is so much more than helping a girl to win Miss Ohio Valley and then possibly the Miss Ohio contest and then on to Miss America. It is more about helping a girl find "herself" by building her self-esteem and confidence and that winning the other titles is a bonus and overall it is helping improve the person as a whole, Poole said.

The "Island Spectacular" pageant will air 21 times for three weeks following the pageant on channel 10 in St. Clairsville and Wheeling and channel 9 in Steubenville, Weirton and Columbiana through Comcast. For information about show times, contact Jason Spatafora at (740) 264-7259.

The event was originally to be aired on WTOV-TV live but due to lack of sponsorship money which was to be raised by pageant officials, WTOV-TV will not be able to air the event. Tim McCoy, the station's general manager, said he had explained to pageant officials about the amount of sponsorship money needed to broadcast the event live. "We were hoping against all hope (to run the pageant) and waited as long as we could," said McCoy about the decision to drop the pageant.

Twelve woman will compete for the Miss Ohio Valley title on Sunday and will be available to compete in the Miss Ohio pageant scheduled in June in Mansfield.

All contestants must be female residents from either Carroll, Belmont, Columbiana, Harrison or Jefferson, be between the ages of 17 and 24 and either live, work or go to school full time.

Poole stated that her main job as an executive director is to "help promote our local (winner) the whole year through but also we get her prepared to make her improved in every area that she needs to be improved and gain experience for Miss Ohio."

Carissa Cook of Bloomingdale won Miss Ohio Valley last year and spoke to this year's contestants about the duties that come with the Miss Ohio Valley title.

"It is two jobs at once because the girl has to be Miss Ohio Valley the whole year to promote the program and at the same time has to get herself ready to go on to Miss Ohio," Cook said. "Miss Ohio Valley is always showing the four qualities that Miss America has which are service, style, scholarship and success."

Cook elaborated on the four qualities:

€ Service is used to promote the individual's platform which is something that each holds dear to her heart.
€ Style is based on the girl's attitude within the community when called upon to do extracurricular activities.
€ School deals with college and maintaining grades while handling duties.
€ Success is a point in the program to achieve.

Cook recently competed for the title of Miss Ohio in Mansfield this past June.

[Photos: above Carissa performs during the talent competition at Miss Ohio; taken by Jason J. Molyet, The Mansfield News Journal. On the right is a candid photo I took of the fun and fabulous Carissa during Miss Ohio week.]

The winner of this year's pageant will receive gifts, which will include two $5,000 scholarships from Franciscan University of Steubenville; a cash scholarship of at least $1,000, which is required by Miss America; a magic makeover from Details; gift basket from Newbrough Photo; membership to the Body Shop; earrings from the Pot of Jewelry; $500 clothing scholarship from the M.O.V.E. Team; flowers from Anna's Flower Box; a plaque from Wintersville Trophy Shop; an official crown and pin; and free tanning at Jack's Sunshine Shop.

The first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a $300 scholarship each donated by former contestant and staff member Tiffany Higgins and a $250 scholarship from the Steubenville Kiwanis Club. Each will receive flowers and a plaque.

All contestants of the Miss Ohio Valley Scholarship program will receive a $100 cash scholarship provided by each girl's sponsor and a Miss Ohio Valley T-shirt donated by Rob's Special T's.
Contestants will also be given a chance to obtain other cash awards of which include:

€ Community Service Award - $100 scholarship given by Carissa Cook and family.
€ Talent Award - $300 scholarship (Numbers Up) given by Albert Macre, the judges' auditor.
€ Smile Award - $100 cash scholarship given by Dr. Robert Ronevich.
€ Americanism Essay Award - $200 for winner and $100 for the runner-up given by American Legion Post 557.
€ Swimsuit Award - $200 scholarship donated by Miss Ohio in honor of 1998 Miss Ohio Valley Melanie Schofield who won the swimsuit award during the Miss Ohio competition.
€ Miss Photogenic Award - $100 cash scholarship given by Mr. and Mrs. Gabe Rozsa.
€ Spirit Award - $200 schlorship donated by Monsignor Gerald Calovini and chosen by the contestants.

The following contestants will be competing for the title of Miss Ohio Valley:

€ Natalie Lacovoni of Steubenville graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 2002 and attends Franciscan University of Steubenville. She was named to the dean's list last fall and plans to major in nursing and hopes to work in a neonatal intensive care unit and eventually become a nurse practitioner. She volunteers her time at the local Salvation Army and has been actively involved in figure skating for 13 years - competing at national competitions. She will sing "At Last" as her talent while her platform issue will be the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet in young, developing minds and throughout a person's lifetime.

€ Nicole Blackburn of Hammondsville is a recent graduate of Edison High School and plans to attend the Trinity School of Nursing. She will present a dramatic poem for her talent while her platform issue will deal with teens and depression.

€ Lindsay Sapp of New Waterford graduated from Crestview Local High School in 2004 as the valedictorian and is majoring in broadcast journalism at Kent State University. She has received honors with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, dean's list and National Honor Society. She achieved honors as an All-American cheerleader, 300 meter hurdle record holder at Crestview, four-year class president and Next Step magazine Super Teen in 2004. She will present "Minute in G Major" with the piano and her platform will consist of spreading patriotism.

€ Nina DiBiase of Wintersville graduated from Brooke High School in 2002 and is majoring in theology at Wheeling Jesuit University and hopes to become a college professor. Her talent will consist of a modern dance to the "Edge of the World" while her platform will be on the foundation for a better life.

€ Rose Sengenberger of Steubenville is a recent graduate of Catholic Central High School where she was salutatorian. She plans to major in creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University. Sengenberger's platform will center on children's involvement in the arts and reading.

€ Hayley Call of Steubenville is a recent graduate of Catholic Central and plans to major in journalism at Ohio University. She wants to be an anchorwoman and would like to spend a summer in Mexico doing missionary work. For her talent, she will present a tap/jazz number and her platform will include sexual abstinence among teens.

€ Angelina Michael of Steubenville is a 2004 graduate of Edison High School and is majoring in the clinical lab technician at Jefferson Community College. She will sing "Traveling Soldier" for her talent and present breast cancer awareness for her platform.

€ Catherine Segenberger of Steubenville is a graduate of Catholic Central High School and is majoring in music therapy with a minor in psychology at Baldwin-Wallace College. Her platform will consist of increasing the awareness of music therapy.

€ Erica Mathieu of Steubenville graduated from Indian Creek High School in May and will attend Ohio State University and major in biology and minor in Spanish. She hopes to become a neonatal pediatrician. She will sing the "Statue of Liberty" for her talent and her platform is youth involvement in the community.

€ Allison West of Tiltonsville will be attending Bethany College after graduating from Buckeye Local High School. She plans to major in psychology and wants to work for a psychiatrist. Her platform will be on volunteering.

€ Shea Gordon of Harrisville graduated from Buckeye Local High School and is seeking a degree in graphic design at the University of Cincinnati. Her talent will consist of singing "Think of Me" and her platform will deal with Dream Big-Youth Involvement.

€ No information was provided for Ashley Pesta of Rayland.

Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased at the Fort Steuben Mall Customer Service Center, Wilson Furniture in Bridgeport or by calling the Miss Ohio Valley Office at (740) 264-0938.

Contestants photos can be viewed here.

Ohio's Beautiful Miss, Marlia Fontaine

2005-07-28T01:32:00.000-05:00

Photo from www.charitybands.com/marlia/photos.html

It has been a little over a month since Marlia Fontaine was crowned Miss Ohio 2005, and from the looks of her new charity website, she has hit the ground running.

I urge all my readers to check it out:
www.charitybands.com/marlia/index.html

Marlia's Platform issue is Diabetes: Educate to Alleviate.
Below is information copied from her website about volunteering:

Below are three websites that I frequent often. I will highlight the upcoming events, but please visit them to learn more about the disease and other opportunities that can apply to you.Diabetes

Association of Greater Cleveland
216-591-0800
www.dagc.org
• Planned Giving Committee
• Librarian• In Office Volunteers
• Backpack Bivouac: August 27, 2005
• Charity Golf Scramble: September 17, 2005
• Walk to Win the Fight Against Diabetes: October 29, 2005
• Promenade: November 5, 2005

American Diabetes Association
1-800-DIABETES
www.diabetes.com
• America's Walk for Diabetes (check local area for dates)Juvenile

Diabetes Research Foundation
1-800-533-CURE
www.jdrf.org
• Walk to Cure Diabetes (check local area for dates)
• Ride to Cure Diabetes: Asheville, North Carolina October 6-9, 2005; Death Valley, California October 20-24, 2005

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Your site looks wonderful, Marlia. Keep up the good work!

Photo Infusion!

2005-07-23T14:45:00.000-05:00

As if my Webshots addiction wasn’t bad enough, last night I realized how incredibly easy it is to upload photos right into my blog to compliment my posts! Scroll down through to see photos I have added to several posts.

Miss Lake Festival Press

2005-07-23T03:55:00.000-05:00

Okay, I guess you can put me in the "you should call your mother more!" category because I haven't spoken with her to update my last post like I said I would, but here's an article instead.

Miss Lake Festival 2004 Marisa Minor crowing Miss Lake Festival 2005 Sarah Garman. Photo by Mark Pummell and found at www.dailystandard.com

Garman ready to reign over Lakefest

By Betty Lawrence

The Daily Standard, Celina Ohio

Sarah Garman, 18, a 2005 graduate of Fort Recovery High School, was crowned Miss Lake Festival 2005 before a packed Celina fieldhouse Monday night.

Eleven area young women competed in the annual scholarship pageant.It was nearly a clean sweep as Garman also won Outstanding Talent, On Stage Interview and Commitment to Excellence awards.

Others winning awards were first runner-up Maria Riethman, 17, a 2005 graduate of Coldwater High School; second runner-up, Rachel McClain, 18, a 2005 Celina High School graduate; and third runner-up, Jennifer Will, 18, a Marion Local High School graduate.Garman, the daughter of David and Dorothy Garman, Fort Recovery, was dressed in a glistening pink gown as she sang the 1950s torch song, "Misty," for the talent portion of the contest. She chose a two-piece light blue swimsuit for the lifestyle and fitness division, and her aqua sleeveless evening gown shimmered as Miss Lake Festival 2004, Marisa Minor, also a native of Fort Recovery, crowned the new queen.

First runner-up Riethman, 17, is the daughter of Dennis and Rita Riethman, Coldwater. She wore a long red gown as she played "I Want to Know What Love Is" on the piano. Sparkling silver zigzags highlighted her long black gown in the evening wear division.

Second runner-up McClain performed a vocal/dance number to "And All that Jazz." She chose a denim jumper in the casual wear portion, and her long red gown with cross/cross back was highlighted with glistening silver streaks. McClain, 18, is the daughter of Douglas and Kathy McClain, Celina.

Third runner-up Jennifer Will wore a long formal white gown as she played "Simple Song" on the piano. She chose a two-piece pink swimsuit for the lifestyle/fitness division and her evening gown was deep burgundy with a flirty hemline underlaid in pink. Will, 18, is the daughter of Jerry and Doris Will, Maria Stein.

In a new twist, 11 local girls, ages 6 and 7, took turns coming on stage and escorting the contestants in the evening gown portion of the contest. After an exchanged curtsy, the little girls with huge smiles on their faces handed each contestant a red rose and hand in hand walked down the platform stage.

The "little sister" escorts included Logan Boley, Alyssa Cisco, Jessica Miller, Breah Anderson, Mallory McMurray, Lauren Duncan, Audra Metzger, Cameron Moeller, Haley McGillvary, Lauren Blanchard and Nicole Elston. The pageant also featured a new division of competition, casual wear, which accounted for 10 percent of the judges' scores. The clothing was to reflect the contestants personality and style references. Most of the competitors wore blue jeans and sporty, fun shirts.Other areas of competition included private interview, 25 percent; lifestyle and fitness, 10 percent; talent, 35 percent; evening wear, 15 percent; and on-stage interview, 5 percent

Miss Lake Festival Scholarship board of trustee member Fred Wiswell announced a total of $10,150 in cash scholarships was awarded to the contestants. Also, the Western Ohio Education Foundation (WOEF) is providing $4,000 in scholarships to participants to attend Wright State University-Lake Campus.

Garman won nearly $4,000 in scholarship monies for taking the crown and three more awards.Receiving the Fred Thees Interview award was runner-up Rachel McClain, and Cassie Gutierrez was awarded the People's Choice award and the Barbara Wagner scholarship award.

Receiving $300 each as non-finalist contestants were Emily Kaup, Amber Knouff, Lindsay Miller, Danielle Rengers, Jennifer Vantilburg and Amy Zender.

Headshots courtesy of Photography by Terry and copied from

www.celinalakefestival.com

Photos of the competition can be seen at:

www.dailystandard.com -> local pictures - > Tuesday July 19

This was the first year since I was crowned Miss Lake Festival that I did not attend; though I was absent my thoughts were with Marisa. She was a blast to get to know this year, best of luck to her in the future and to Sarah as she begins her year as Miss Lake Festival!

Congratulations to the New Miss Lake Festival, Sarah Garman!

2005-07-19T01:43:00.000-05:00

It seems as though Miss Ohio just ended, but already a new pageant season has taken to the runway.

Tonight eleven young women competed for the first title I ever held, Miss Lake Festival. Sarah Garman won the crown as well as awards for talent and onstage question. I was not able to make it home tonight for this pageant, but my parents attended and I will fill in the other runners-up when I speak with my mom tomorrow.

By "home" I mean Mercer County; Miss Lake Festival is a "closed" pageant meaning only women who claim residence, work or go to school in Mercer County may compete. Since there are no universities, just lots and lots of corn fields in Mercer County, generally Miss Lake Festival is a home-town-girl. A former E.D. of this program jokingly called "open" pageants "The Bus Tour," referring to pageant veterans who compete in one "open" pageant after another regardless of its proximity to her hometown or university. (“Open” pageants in the Miss America system do not restrict their contestants to certain counties, but are rather open to anyone living, working or going to school anywhere in the state. Some states, such as our neighbor Indiana, have few open pageants making it much more difficult to reach the state level. Other low population states, such as Montana, don’t have locals at all; contestants apply straight to the state pageant. About a third of Miss Ohio locals are “closed.”)

I digress. Sara is the first young woman of the year to receive her rhinestone ticket to Miss Ohio. The last weekend of this month will give away four more: Miss Greater Cleveland, Miss Open City, Miss West Central Ohio and Miss Ohio Valley. Visit www.missohio.com for locations and times of these pageants.

Congratulations Erin Jeffery, 2nd runner up to Miss Ohio USA!

2005-07-16T23:57:00.000-05:00

[Above Erin Jeffery models her evening gown in the Miss Ohio USA pageant;
photo from Elizabeth Michaels' website.]

Many congratulations go out to Erin Jeffery. Erin has competed in the Miss Ohio pageant for two years now, this past June as Miss Ohio River. I applaud her for being back on her feet, or stilettos as the case may be, only a month after Miss Ohio, competing in pageants. Erin was named second runner up tonight to the new Miss Ohio USA, Stacey Offenberger.

The Miss Ohio USA program took place tonight in Portsmouth and is the pageant most often confused with the Miss Ohio (America) program.

The differences in review:
-Miss Ohio USA: No talent competition
-Miss Ohio: talent is a large part of the score
-Miss Ohio USA: No platform issue
-Miss Ohio: Year of service is a “job,” for which you are a spokesperson for your platform, or social issue of concern
-Miss Ohio USA: types of winners and year of service are much more oriented toward a modeling career
-Miss USA program steps: Miss State -> Miss USA -> Miss Universe
-Miss America program steps: Miss Local -> Miss State -> Miss America

Famous Miss Ohio USA’s include Halle Berry! Shannon Stewart, a top 3 finalist on Tyra Banks’ reality show America’s Next Top Model, Season one, was a top 15 finalist in the Miss Ohio USA pageant tonight, and I believe last year as well.

Congratulations again to Erin in this pageant system.

Webshots Update: Mikki and Art's Wedding

2005-07-14T04:49:00.000-05:00

Long time… no blog…

Well, I guess it has been a month since Miss Ohio. It’s gone by at a rapid pace and been filled with major events for me. Two funerals and a wedding in three weeks, to be exact.

The wedding is my reason for blogging-

To friends of Loren and I interested in viewing photos from Mikki and Art’s wedding, click on the link below. I guess if other readers of my blog would like to be nosy, go ahead and click as well, but you probably won’t know anyone!

My Webshots Site

A sunset photo from Mikki and Art's Reception: Art's Brown Honda fellow employees and their significant others.

Congratulations Leah, the new Face of Fox Toledo!

2005-07-02T23:22:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to announce that my friend and Forensics teammate, Leah D’Emilio won the “Face of Fox Toledo” contest!

Thank you to everyone who voted for her when I had to drop out of the contest due to Miss Ohio. In the coming year you’ll be seeing Leah on WUPW Fox Toledo and at local events. Learn more about her by clicking here.

Congrats Leah!

Miss America Press- multiple articles in no specific order

2005-07-02T14:54:00.000-05:00

By Sarah Hall - E! Online

Miss America is trading in her high heels for cowboy boots and spurs, y'all. Earlier this week, CMT and the Miss America Organization signed a multiyear broadcasting agreement, securing the pageant's small-screen future through 2007, with options to extend the deal through 2011. So far, it's unclear whether the agreement means that the pageant will eventually be trading its traditional location of Atlantic City for CMT's Nashville headquarters. The delay in securing a broadcast agreement pushes the crowning of the next Miss Americato January 2006, as opposed to the usual September or October date--meaning chilly weather for ball gown-clad beauty queens. CMT is planning a multimillion-dollar promotional push behind the repackaged pageant, which will be made over into "a signature event for CMT," Brian Philips, CMT's executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. The all-American girl theme of the pageant fits with the interests of CMT's audience, according to Paul Villadolid, vice president of programming and development for CMT. "Many of these young women come from areas that our audience cares about," he told the New York Times. "They are small-town women who are looking for a break, to fulfill a dream, and one thing we will want to do is to draw out these story lines so that when they get to the pageant we will have a sense of who they are." Villadolid said one change in the pageant's structure may be the addition of behind-the-scenes footage showing the contestants in a less structured environment--giving the show more of a reality TV element. "One of the things that you're lacking is a real sense and understanding of who these women are as real people," he told the Times. As CMT is part of MTV Networks, corporate cousin VH1 will broadcast Miss America-themed programming leading up to the pageant's January premiere in an effort to introduce viewers to the contestants ahead of time. "We're thrilled to be in business with the Miss America Organization," MTV boss Brian Graden said in a statement. "This partnership presents a tremendous opportunity for CMT and MTV Networks, and we look forward to celebrating this American institution across a variety of platforms." Last year, only 9.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the reigning Miss America Deidre Downs receive her crown. As a result, ABC, which had broadcast the pageant since 1997 and paid $3.2 million for the privilege to do so last year, kicked the beauty contest to the curb. Art McMaster, CEO of the Miss America Organization, said he would not reveal the terms of the financial agreement with CMT. The country cabler currently reaches some 79 million households. Our advice to Miss America wannabes? Insert some country flair into your talent segment.

By Tom Dorsey

The Courier Journal

After eight months of searching, the Miss America Pageant announced yesterday that it had found a new home. The 2006 contest will move to Country Music Television and be held in January instead of the traditional September slot. ABC dumped the pageant after the audience slipped under 10 million last year, a record low. The move to a smaller cable channel -- CMT averages 308,000 viewers in prime time -- didn't sit well with some past Miss Americas. "I feel like they're going to alienate a whole segment of their viewership because not everybody knows about CMT, or would even watch CMT," Nicole Johnson Baker, Miss America 1999, told USA Today. "It sounds so ridiculous: We go from ABC to CMT and there's nothing in between?" But Kentucky's Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, put a positive spin on the move. "Maybe we have finally hit our target audience," she said in an interview yesterday. She said the deal calls for CMT sister channels VH1 and MTV to give the pageant millions of dollars in promotion. "We'll have to see if the ratings match up," Henry said, noting that the Miss America Pageant gets better Nielsen numbers than Donald Trump's much-publicized "Miss USA Contest." TV Guide online joked that the pageant will probably move from its signature Atlantic City, N.J., Boardwalk site to the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in Nashville. Henry said that while some changes may be in order, the pageant's board is committed to Atlantic City for now. Some past pageant winners have proposed moving the organization's headquarters to Dallas and putting the pageant up for annual bid like the Super Bowl to raise more money for the group, she said. Money has been a contentious issue. "I think we will have a better relationship with our sponsors (and CMT) than with ABC, (which) took such a huge chunk of our money," Henry said. Advertisers may have been getting a little restless with falling ratings. The pageant drew more than three times as many viewers in 1988 -- 33.1 million -- than it did last year, when it drew 9.8 million. Some have suggested the pageant be spread over several weeks like a reality show, with contestants pictured at different stages, trying to reach the crowning glory through various challenges. "I don't think there's an audience for squeaky-clean," Shari Anne Brill, director of programming for advertising firm Carat, told USA Today earlier this year. She said the pageant needed updating in the age of reality television. "You need to see the tears, the drama, the makeup, the mascara and the crisis of finding out you have a zit." But French countered, "If they want that, they can go to 'America's Next Top Model.' The public would be disappointed that we didn't have backbiting (and) dress-tearing with the tears and mascara running. That's just not the kind of contest we have. "I understand media needs," she continued, "but Miss America has survived 80-plus years with the tradition that these are well-educated, beautiful young ladies who come from average towns … where community is important."

NY Daily News

The Miss America Pageant swears it won't be a different animal when it moves to Country Music Television (CMT). The winner's traditional morning-after dip in the Atlantic City surf, pageant officials assure us, will not be replaced by a ride on the bucking bull at Dollywood. In the spot where Bert Parks once crooned "Here She Comes," we will not hear the Bellamy Brothers sing "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me?" But for the contestants themselves, I would suggest, the biggest potential impact from moving to CMT is this: It means they can eat lunch. We all know there are places in the world, like New York, Paris, London and Hollywood, where the fashion and media mafia decided a few years back that a woman should weigh less than her clothes. Therefore, most hot, hip and trendy clothes are designed so no woman can wear them if she is wider than the bottle of water surgically attached to her hand. Now some say this message peaked on TV a few years back with shows like "Melrose Place," where every woman needed to be a size 2. But while recent shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "reality" programs are more balanced, fashion and celebrity media still tell us the norm is not back to normal. Miss America, it should be acknowledged, has never given extra credit to women who live on two egg whites a day. But if it ever entertained any such inclinations, the move to CMT should eliminate them, because country music, and country music on television, have always cottoned to ladies who look like they sit down to dinner and actually eat it. That includes the wide-eyed gals in the cutoff bluejeans in the cornfield on "Hee Haw," but more importantly, it has traditionally included country singers themselves. Whether they're as purty as Loretta Lynn, Trisha Yearwood and Shania Twain or just regular-looking like Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette, they've never had to whittle down until they could fit their whole self into one leg of a pair of pants. That doesn't make them beach balls. It makes them normal. Whatever the other implications of Miss America going country, it frees her up to eat a hamburger.

Beautiful Scholar
By Daniel Jimenez, YOUNG MONEY Managing

You’ve got much to learn about beauty pageants if your idea of a typical contestant comes from watching Sandra Bullock in “Miss Congeniality.” Today’s pageant participants tend to be collegiate academic standouts that have also devoted countless hours to community service and other charitable causes.
For an example, you need look no further than reigning Miss America Deidre Downs. Downs, 24, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts in history from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. She was also a Rhodes Scholar finalist and an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia.
An aspiring pediatrician, she has been spending this year working toward increasing awareness and community action for her Miss America platform, curing childhood cancer. Downs’ schedule tends to be hectic as she travels coast-to-coast, approximately 20,000 miles each month to speak to school groups and attend promotional activities and charity fundraisers.
With the title, Downs won a $50,000 scholarship from The Miss America Organization (missamerica.org) to pay for her medical studies at the University of Alabama. She was also honored with the organization’s 2004 Quality of Life Award and a $6,000 scholarship for her work creating Alabama’s Making Miracles Program, designed to raise awareness and funds in the fight against childhood cancer.

Atlantic City press

Missing pageant? Miss America venue uncertain

By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer

The Miss America Organization met Wednesday with the operators of Boardwalk Hall to talk about the future of the pageant in the city where it all started.But Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority Director Jeffrey Vasser said no decision has been made about the venue or format for January's show."We're optimistic a deal can be reached," Vasser said.Likewise, the Miss America Organization was mum Wednesday on its plans for Atlantic City. Pageant CEO Art McMaster said this week he would like to keep the pageant in Atlantic City.But no details have been confirmed, pageant spokeswoman Jenni Glenn said Wednesday.Contestants and supporters of the world-famous pageant speculated this week that the next crowning might take place in Nashville, Tenn., home of the pageant's new broadcast partner, Country Music Television.Miss America Web logs this week were more concerned with state pageants than where the finale will take place. But some took the opportunity to plug their favorites."They should hold the pageant in Hawaii. The Hawaii committee puts on a great production every year and, hey! Hawaii is sunny and beautiful all year long.""Go for Las Vegas. It is modern, family friendly and has great weather in January.""I think they should try for Orlando, Fla, at a place like Walt Disney World."Meanwhile, former Miss America Dr. Debbie Turner said the organization's challenge has always been trying to make the annual competition appeal to television viewers.Turner is a doctor of veterinary medicine who works in New York as a CBS News correspondent."Everyone is clear about what the mission is for young women. What has been troublesome over a number of years - even when I competed - is how to merge that with an entertaining show," Turner said. "How do we make that into good television?"Turner said core fans will tune in to CMT for the show. The challenge will be drawing viewers who aren't as familiar with the channel."I'm just glad we're not going to miss a year of being televised."To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press:MMiller@pressofac.com

By Amy Rosenberg

Philadelphia Inquirer

Hold your horses, partners in pageant-land. Miss America chief executive officer Art McMaster said yesterday that the deal with the Country Music Television station to broadcast the pageant in January does not mean the pageant wants, or has plans, to ditch its ancestral home by the sea."Oh my God. Stop reading the message boards. That is so far from the truth," McMaster said in a telephone interview. "We haven't even met. This is a big change for Atlantic City, to move all the way to January. I still don't even have the date yet. This has nothing to do with Nashville. They [at CMT] know we're born and raised here." Still, the question of whether Miss America will be doing a two-step off the Boardwalk and out of town lingered in the salt air here yesterday, shrouded in fog that rolled in off the ocean like, like - OK, we'll say it - like so much tumbleweed. If Miss America were to trade in her heels for cowboy boots, not everybody in this town would give a darn. At least not as much as they once did. "I guess you want me to say Hee-haw, hee-haw?" said Vicki Gold Levi, a longtime keeper of Atlantic City pageant history and a former pageant judge. "Leaving Atlantic City would leave a nostalgic hole in my heart. But you know, you've got to move on. Survival - respectful survival - is the most important thing." Locals interviewed yesterday were mostly concerned with losing their beloved Boardwalk parade - with its "Show us your shoes" tradition of contestants' riding in convertibles and holding up their footwear to onlookers - either to Nashville or to a January date. "Instead of shoes, they may be showing off their furs," said Lewis Gibson, sitting on the Boardwalk at - where else? - Tennessee Avenue yesterday with his family. But McMaster said he would still stage a parade on the Boardwalk in January. (Think Mummers.) "Quite honestly, in September we have to worry about the hurricanes." Should the pageant ever leave town, there will be those locals who will never get over it. "This is where she belongs," Mayor Lorenzo Langford said. "It's history, it's tradition. It's an icon, a staple." In many ways, though, Atlantic City left the Miss America pageant behind years ago. The casino industry, in town since 1978, never cared much for it - too many busy-season hotel rooms taken up with too many non-gambling misses and their entourages. "Miss America was never a big boost to gaming revenues in Atlantic City," gambling analyst Larry Klatzkin said. "It's all reputation." The original concept of Miss America - a gimmick to extend the summer season past Labor Day - has been pretty much rendered moot by the year-round super-gimmick known as legalized gambling. Michael Epps, vice chair of the state Casino Control Commission, who was born and raised in Atlantic City, said it was the smaller merchants - the old Atlantic City - rather than the casinos that might feel the pinch of a missing pageant. "I think the larger companies, the casinos, won't miss the Miss America pageant." With the event on life support after being dumped by ABC last year, even some local pageant diehards said yesterday they were just relieved that Miss America would live another year. "At least it's not the end of it all," said Joanne Santori, a local volunteer, who has served as a pageant hostess and chaperone for 15 years. "This is so good for the young ladies." Response in pageant-land was mostly upbeat, and many were relieved to hear that Miss America had landed at CMT, which they hope will rescue it from some of the more extreme reality-TV scenarios floated since ABC dumped the pageant. "I think it's wonderful," said Joe Sanders, head of the Miss South Carolina state pageant, which crowns its winner next week. "CMT is a great channel." (Maybe so, but the front page of the Press of Atlantic City featured a box to explain "What is CMT?") eanza Cornett, a former Miss America, said she was puzzled by the association with country music, which she felt showed the pageant "playing it really safe." "They don't want to take a few risks to be more current with today's pop culture," she said. "What are their priorities? Is it just to be on television?" Of course, the reality is that the economic survival of the show has long been dependent on television. Last year, ABC paid $5.6 million for the right to televise the pageant, which awarded more than $45 million in scholarships to contestants. A January date has advantages, some say. Newly crowned Miss New Jersey, Julie Robenhymer, 24, of Moorestown, said that holding the pageant then would help the contestants because they would have longer to prepare and longer to serve as winners of their state competitions, which are typically held in the summer, just weeks before the old September pageant date. "I see it as a tremendous opportunity... . Now we'll have more time as Miss New Jersey or Miss Idaho," she said. The casino industry may also welcome an influx of pageant people in the dead of winter. "They might actually roll out the red carpet for them," said Jeffrey Vasser, head of the convention and visitors bureau, who will meet with McMaster today. "But I'd hate to be the contestant that has to take the plunge in January," he said, referring to the traditional Miss A day-after dip and frolic in the ocean. Being in the land of nimble promoters, Vasser immediately suggested that this could be tied in with the traditional Jan. 1 polar-bear plunge.

Miss America to beautify CMT a bit

By John Curran

The Associated Press

Miss America's goin' country.The famous beauty pageant, its future in doubt since ABC dropped it last fall, has signed a multiyear broadcast deal with cable country music network CMT, officials said Monday.The pageant, traditionally held in September or October, won't crown its next winner until January. And it may not happen in Atlantic City, where Miss America was born as a Labor Day publicity stunt in 1921.Another move is possiblePageant officials, who spent months trying to find a new network after losing the ABC deal last October, said no determination had been made whether it would remain in New Jersey.Country Music Television, based in Nashville, is owned by media giant Viacom, which also owns music channels MTV and VH1.VH1 will air "supportive programming" leading up to the pageant in hopes of drumming up interest with viewers.Financial terms of the deal were not announced.Pageant CEO Art McMaster said the move would help give the troubled pageant a boost in promotion, helping viewers know when the once-a-year special will air.The pageant's Nielsen ratings have been dropping for years. Last year's telecast drew a record-low 9.8 million viewers, prompting ABC - which had aired it since 1997 - to give up on it.From broadcast to cableThe move to CMT represents a comedown of sorts, but some see it as a good marriage."It's a great alternative to a national outlet," said former CEO Leonard Horn. "It's a good cable network. If it's properly promoted - and they certainly have the ability, with MTV and VH1 - the millions of loyal Miss America fans will watch it."Neither pageant spokeswoman Jenni Glenn nor CMT spokeswoman Lisa Chader would say what the "supportive programming" would consist of.Miss America - and beauty pageants in general - have traditionally been more popular in Southern states, and the move to CMT may help both."Miss America is sort of a heartland kind of event," said media analyst Larry Gerbrandt. "It's Mom, Dad, the flag and apple pie. That's their demographic."Chader said the decision about whether to keep Miss America in Atlantic City was up to pageant officials; Glenn said the pageant has to talk to the network and Atlantic City officials before deciding.

By Roxanne Roberts & Vanessa de la Torre

Washington Post

Pop quiz: Name the current Miss America. Surely you know that Carrie Underwood is the newest "American Idol" and Katie Holmes the next Mrs. Tom Cruise. Betcha you'd recognize Paris Hilton and her little dog, too. But ever hear of Deidre Downs? Downs was crowned Miss America 2005 last September, a fact only dedicated fans seem to know. The two-hour pageant received such low TV ratings that ABC dropped it -- and no other broadcast network picked it up. No show, no sponsors, no scholarship money. There she goes, Miss America. And that is why the 84-year-old pageant is desperately trying to reinvent itself once again with a new look, a new date and a new deal on Country Music Television. The show will be more reality than rhinestone, move from September to January and kick it up on basic cable. Is this a glamorous extreme makeover or the death knell of the scholarship-beauty-talent competition? "I think that the Miss America pageant has run its course," says Lisa Ades, director of "Miss America," a PBS "American Experience" documentary on the pageant. "I wish I could say that the audience has waned because there are so many opportunities for women and we don't need beauty pageants as a way to get ahead. But the truth is that interest has waned because it's simply not sexy enough." Or maybe not "reality" enough. Tammy Haddad, a veteran network and cable producer who sits on the Miss America Organization board, says the deal with CMT is the perfect move because it will turn a one-night program into a heavily promoted, multi-night competition event with a traditional values audience. "I think it's an A-plus deal business-wise, and the pageant will be the hit it used to be. In some towns, it is the Super Bowl," says Haddad. But what if the problem isn't sex or ratings, but identity? "The leadership and philosophy in Atlantic City has over the past few years been so bad that they're lucky to be on television at all," says Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998. "The problem at the core is the Miss America Organization not knowing what it is. You can have a pageant on the boardwalk, which would appeal to a lot of people, or a multimillion-dollar scholarship corporation. But you can't have it both ways, and they've been trying to for the past few years." It started out simply enough: In 1921, Atlantic City looked for a way to extend the tourist season beyond Labor Day. It came up with a beauty pageant and crowned Margaret Gorman the first "Miss America." It was silly and fun and slightly risque. It was a way for a pretty young girl with ambition to make some money, and maybe catch the eye of a Broadway producer. The pageant became more respectable, adding rules and scholarships and talent. In 1944, it crowned Bess Myerson, the first Jew to hold the title. But it wasn't until 1954 -- the first year the pageant was broadcast on television to an audience of 27 million-- that Miss America became an overnight celebrity and made Lee Ann Meriwether an icon of American womanhood. During the late '50s and early '60s, the pageant was one of the top-rated televised events of the year. "I grew up watching it in the '60s with my family and it was a huge event," says Ades. "I was allowed to stay late to see who the winner would be." Despite protests in the late '60s, jeers from early feminists in the '70s, charges of racism in the '80s, Miss America inched herself into the present and survived if not thrived. It was headline news in 1983 when the pageant crowned its first African American, Vanessa Williams, and even bigger news when she was asked to resign months later once nude photos of her were published in Penthouse. By the '90s, contestants were sharing their platforms -- social issues, not shoes. In an effort to boost sagging ratings, the pageant has tried lots of tricks: Cute videos, audience call-ins, bare feet in the swimsuit segment! None of it worked. After eight years broadcasting the pageant, ABC drew only 9.8 million viewers to last September's show -- the smallest turnout ever. The typical viewer was a 50-plus female (who probably watched as a little girl), but very few teenagers bothered to tune in. Apparently, America isn't interested in a parade of all-American girls who are sort of pretty, sort of talented, sort of smart. Not when they can watch a conga line of hot babes, diva singers or bitchy reality queens. The rap on Miss America is that it's always been full of "Pageant Patties": Always smiling, always sweet, never smokes, never swears. In short, phonies. "We are a beauty pageant, and we're not afraid to say we're about beautiful women," says Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, which presents the Miss USA pageant. "The women who participate in our pageants are more natural. It's easier for the viewing audience to relate to them. . . . They're absolutely gorgeous, but somebody you feel you could talk to." Shugart says the move to a reality format will probably help Miss America. "That's their effort to make some of these girls real, because they realize they missed the boat on that," she says. Another problem: Bridging the gap between the traditional beauty pageant and an educational and political platform. Miss America gives out more scholarships to U.S. women than any other organization. "No one believed it was a scholarship program," says Jim Jones, a pageant judge in 2002. "Nobody buys that. It has a huge branding problem. . . . 'Survivor' knows what it is. Miss America was never really clear. Well, it probably was clear in the '50s and '60s, then it lost it." No, the problem isn't the pageant or the contestants, says Art McMasters, acting president and CEO of the Miss America Organization. It's television. "We've been on television for 50 years," he says. "We noticed in the last couple of years that the whole climate changed in the TV business. A lot of these reality shows started developing and became very successful. America wanted to get to know who was on television. I said to our network partners, 'We've got to be on television more than one night a year.' They did not see our pageant as part of their future." Ten years ago the pageant would never have considered going on cable, he says. But the two-year deal with CMT will allow broadcast of behind-the-scenes moments, preliminary contests and cross-promotions with other Viacom-owned properties: VH1, MTV and CBS. The country channel averages just 300,000 viewers in prime time, and only 3 million for its star-studded "CMT Music Awards" show. But McMasters estimates that Miss America has a base of 10 million fans who will tune in to CMT, and even bigger numbers with proper promotion. " 'American Idol' is not that much different from Miss America in the sense that they are looking for the very best person to win the title." All the disadvantages Miss America had as a one-time event on a network are advantages on cable, says Haddad. "In this day and age, people want to get to know the girls better. The show got too long. You have to remake yourself." The broadcast will move from September to January to give organizers time to rethink the production. No word yet whether it will remain in Atlantic City. "I don't know," says Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. "Nothing has been said, but I know there's a good amount of speculation." The pageant has two years remaining on an agreement to stay in Boardwalk Hall. Vasser is meeting with pageant officials this week. The news was welcome in local pageants, which can continue for at least two more years. Jennifer Endsley, a former Miss Baltimore, Miss Greater Annapolis, Miss Montgomery County and executive director of the Miss Harford County pageant in Maryland, has mixed feelings about the move to CMT. "One of utter relief that the program will still be televised, continuing in a great tradition of the country," she says. But "if it becomes more of a reality-type show, then the integrity of the program will be compromised." As in: Making it too much like the Miss USA system. "We need to get back to the well-spoken, talented girl-next-door, instead of this sexy, blond, big-chested kind of girl." Carol Clulee, executive director of the Miss Cumberland and Miss Queen City pageants in Maryland, is excited. "I think the entertainment aspect and the value of the Miss America pageant will be strengthened and definitely be a plus," she says. "We've had too many TV executives with their hands in the pie and who perhaps have not done the pageant justice. They have continuously squashed the talent portion and reduced it to some minimum level." Maybe none of it matters. Maybe the time for Miss America -- her swimsuit, her tiara, her Vaseline smile, her earnest platform -- is past. Maybe there are better ways for a young woman today to get a scholarship. "Personally, I can't wait for the day when the pageant's all over -- not banned, but disappeared," says Olga Vives, vice president of the National Organization for Women. "These shows don't really do anything for society." But those who love it aren't prepared to give it up entirely. "I love Miss America," says Shindle. "It's one of my greatest achievements, and it's heartbreaking to see how misguided it's been. They just need to get their act together. I'd rather see them spend a couple years figuring out what they are. It says something when former Miss Americas, who have a vested interest in seeing the pageant do well, say to each other, 'This is it.' I'd rather see it go away than continue to exist with an identity that I can't be proud of."

What is “Show Me Your Shoe’s???”

2005-06-29T12:22:00.000-05:00

In above photo, my chaperone Ginny and I wait for the parade to start; I hold my "Show Me Your Shoe," while Miss Ohio, Amanda Beagle looks on in the background.

An anonymous commenter who has viewed my Webshots asked what in the world the crazy “Show Me Your Shoe’s” thing is all about.

Well, it is a tradition from the Miss America parade that Miss Ohio decided to also implement a few years ago. Instead of just allowing contestants to sit on their parade cars and wave to the crowd, “Show Me Your Shoes” adds another element. Each contestant must decorate a shoe in a way that illustrates their personality, local title, hometown, talent, platform, etc… Then on the parade route the crowd yells “Show me your shoes,” you hold it up, and in most cases it makes no sense without explanation, but the crowd cheers anyway.

Some girls decorate a shoe in such a way that they can still wear it on their feet and walk it, others simply hold the shoe in their hands; I have done both. My first year as Miss Lake Festival, I held a toy fishing pool in my hands and attached its line to a glittered rubber fish on my foot. This year's Miss Lake Erie and now Miss Ohio, Marlia Fontaine did something very similar this year.

There is also a contest element to the whole thing. The contestant whose shoe is deemed best wins a free pair of shoes from Crowe’s Shoes of Mansfield. My second year as Miss Lorain County I won the contest with a pair of boots that I could actually walk in which were covered with hand painted international flags and globes on my toes. (Lorain is considered Ohio’s melting pot.)

At Miss America, contestants go all out with extravagant outfits that compliment their “Show Me Your Shoes.” My third year as Miss Miami Valley I barrowed an authentic airline attendant uniform and had an airplane on my show. (I was crowned Miss Miami Valley in Dayton, home of the Wright brothers, on the anniversary year of flight.) Unfortunately, I think my get-up just confused everyone.

I am most proud of the “shoe” I created this year! Dillard department store gave me a manikin calf- the kind they display hosiery on. Because I sang a song from the movie and musical Chicago, I put a black fishnet stocking and Chicago-era shoe on my “leg.” I also replicated the marquee of the famous Chicago theatre with “Roxie Hart” and adhered it. All it took was finding a leg, going to Miejer at midnight, and six hours later, Ta La!

Miss America Press Release: the organization finally secured a television deal.

2005-06-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

CMT AND MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION REACH MULTI-YEAR DEAL FOR TELECAST RIGHTS TO "MISS AMERICA PAGEANT"

First Pageant To Air On CMT In January 2006

VH1 To Air Supportive Programming Leading Up To Pageant's Debut

NASHVILLE, TN and ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - June 27, 2005 - And the winner is...CMT! The Miss America Organization has found a home at CMT as the two have reached a multi-year agreement to telecast the prestigious "Miss America Pageant" on CMT in January 2006, it was announced today by Brian Graden, president, entertainment, MTV Music Group and president, Logo; Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization; and Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager, CMT. CMT will retain telecast rights through 2007, with options through 2011.

CMT plans a multi-million dollar promotional push behind the "Miss America Pageant," engaging all of its resources within CMT and across MTV Networks. As such, VH1 will air "Miss America"-supportive programming leading up to the premiere of the pageant on CMT in January, providing valuable exposure for the pageant to VH1's largely unduplicated audience.

"We're thrilled to be in business with the Miss America Organization," said Graden. "This partnership presents a tremendous opportunity for CMT and MTV Networks, and we look forward to celebrating this American institution across a variety of platforms."

"After thorough discussions and negotiations, we are confident that Miss America has found the perfect match in CMT and MTV Networks," said McMaster. "Miss America's move to cable will give it the proper promotion and attention it deserves. Our brand is rich in both philanthropy and history, and this new multiplatform partnership not only will preserve this institution, but in fact build the Miss America Organization as we begin this new chapter."

"'Miss America' very much appeals to the heartland of America and is a logical extension for CMT, which beyond just the music, specializes in honest, authentic storytelling," said Philips. "We are passionate about taking this iconic brand and making it a signature event for CMT."

Paul Villadolid, vice president of programming and development, CMT, will oversee the format and creative direction of the pageant. Villadolid added: "'Miss America' is one of this country's great enduring institutions, and creatively we are introducing new ways to honor the pageant's rich tradition while also exploring some of the great behind-the-scenes stories that our audience will be able to experience for the first time."

In addition to cross channel, print, radio, online and affiliate promotion, the network will utilize its extensive relationships with CMT Radio and cmt.com, America's No. 1 country music website which ranks in the top 10 of all music sites and has enjoyed double digit growth every year since its launch in 1997. CMT also plans to launch a massive grassroots marketing campaign related to the pageant.

Over the past two years, CMT has experienced record growth with 2005 poised to surpass last year as CMT's most-watched year ever. Known for its dedication to music, CMT is America's most popular country music network reaching more than 77 million households. In addition to world premiere videos, live concerts and events by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, CMT also produces original entertainment programming and specials. CMT is owned and operated by MTV Networks.

The Miss America Pageant - and the scholarship program itself - is among the most enduring endeavors in modern American history. From its humble beginnings as a "bathing beauty'" contest in the 1920s, the Miss America Organization today is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance, helping young women all across the country to reach their dreams and goals. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org .

# # #

PRESS CONTACTS:

CMT

Lisa Chader

615-335-8405

lisa.chader@cmt.com

Miss America Organization

Jenni Glenn

609-345-7571, ext. 17

jenni@missamerica.org

Webshots Update!

2005-06-27T14:50:00.000-05:00

I think I need help… a twelve step program perhaps because I am addicted to my Webshots account.

Honestly, I feel reflecting on my experiences through pictures is very therapeutic.

I have added Miss Ohio 2003 and 2002 albums. You can find them on the second page of my Webshots site, or by resorting the photos by “newest.” (If you or someone you know is featured in a photo that you would like removed, please contact me by posting a comment.)

My Webshots Site

Face of Fox Toledo: Vote for Leah

2005-06-26T03:13:00.000-05:00

While in Mansfield competing for Miss Ohio, I received the wonderful news that I was in the Top 4 in the “Face of Fox Toledo” contest. Thank you so much to everyone who “voted” for me! However, I could not leave Mansfield to complete the second round of auditions and Fox executives did not feel it would be fair to the other three contestants to postpone the auditions just for me. Therefore, I had no options and was disqualified from the contest.

So, I went very quickly from having two potential, wonderful jobs (The Face of Fox or Miss Ohio) to once again being a poor, unemployed college student. If anyone knows of any good employment opportunities for the rest of the summer in the Toledo area, please let me know…

Anyway, my friend and former Forensics teammate, Leah D’Emilio was also selected to the Top 4. Well, Top 3 now. Clips from her second audition have been running during commercials for the past week and she looks and sounds great. Due to the emotion of the past week, I’ve been doing a whole lot of nothing and in the wake of certain events, I feel like a horrible friend to Leah for not posting this sooner.

Please, send an email to superdave@foxtoledo.com and “vote” for Leah D’Emilio. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. Seriously, she’d be a perfect pageant contestant, she’s gorgeous, she sings, she’s also a speech champion, she donates her hair to Locks of Love and is a spokesperson on tv commercials for The Children’s Miracle Network! But, she’s getting married soon, so never mind pageants, she should be the Face of Fox Toledo instead! Especially if I can’t be, darn it!!!

Leah D'Emilio
-

Please, “vote” for Leah; to read more about her (and the other two contestants that she is much more qualified than) go to http://www.foxtoledo.com/index.cfm?action=dsp_story&storyid=64606.

...a sad reality check...

2005-06-24T00:48:00.000-05:00

Under a post below an anonymous commenter asked me the following: So how did you enjoy your trip to Miss Ohio? Are you still eligible to compete another year?

Since returning from Miss Ohio I have toiled over my experience, these two questions included. As I have expressed in a few media interviews, this was the best of the four years I have competed, in terms of my fellow contestants. It was really a wonderful group of women, and while pageant organizers say that every year, this year it was true. I don’t tend to stay in touch with people, but this year I actually hope to keep in contact with several of my fellow contestants. I enjoyed my trip to Miss Ohio very much. I adore the stage crew, I have been fortunate to have the same host home and chaperone all four years, who I absolutely love, my roommate was great and I am proud of the way I competed.

However, the wonderful week was not enough to lessen the blow of Saturday night. I have never felt so confident; never have I been so prepared for anything in my life and looking back, I would change nothing. Yet, for a fourth bloody year in a row, I did not make the top ten and for a second year in a row, I failed to win any “other” awards. So, to answer the second question, yes, I am eligible to compete for one more year, but I don’t know if I can.

Again, I have toiled over my experience. While it was difficult, I did my best to handle my disappointment as gracefully as possible. I realize too that there is nothing wrong with being angry with a situation for a time before you can move on and evaluate the experience and your future more objectively. Still, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and some of Wednesday were filled with tears, frustration and questions… about what? About a stupid pageant.

Then Wednesday afternoon I received a sad reality check. I found out a fellow actor, a BG theatre student and a friend took his own life. I felt so little inside that I had been so upset over something as trivial as a pageant. The truly sad part is that no one was necessarily shocked. Tonight I found out that it was not suicide, but rather an accident and the lack of shock turned to horror.

The past week has been filled with so many emotions that I can’t even cry anymore and I just don’t know what to feel. I don’t even know if this is appropriate to be blogging about, but I am because it’s never inappropriate to remind the people around you, or complete internet strangers, as the case may be, that everyday is precious. As the Van Gough quotation above says, “Life is not long for anybody, and the problem is only to make something of it.” Seth was someone who made something out of every moment, and I always thought he’d be one of the few of us who would “make it;” he would have been the next Johnny Dep.

Please keep his family in your thoughts.

Photo Update!

2005-06-22T11:22:00.000-05:00

I have updated my webshots account with photos from Miss Ohio, two albums worth actually with more photos to come when "real" film is developed.

http://community.webshots.com/user/missnorthwestern

Also, photos from Angie and her staff at Picture Perfect Studios, Miss Ohio's official photographer can be viewed by following these steps:

Go to www.eventpix.com.

Click on the Event Guest icon.

Click on the Search for Recent Event icon.

Enter MOSP 2005 in the Event Name field.

Click the Find events icon.

Click on MOSP 2005.

Enter the password of mosp2005.

Click the Go icon.

Congratulations Miss Ohio 2005, Marlia Fontaine!!!

2005-06-20T16:36:00.000-05:00

Miss Ohio 2004 Amanda Beagle crowns Miss Ohio 2005 Marlia Fontaine; Photo by Jason Molyet/ found at www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com

I have had the pleasure of competing with Marlia at Miss Ohio for the past four years and I am proud to call her our new Miss Ohio.

She is a wonderful young woman and I am confident she will do a wonderful job.

There are several articles below from the Mansfield News Journal with more information and stories from the whole week.

Miss Ohio 2005 Press: Several Articles from the Mansfield News Journal (www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com)

2005-06-20T12:26:00.000-05:00

New Miss Ohio Going to Bat for Diabetics

By Jennifer Kowalewski, June 20, 2005

MANSFIELD -- The newly crowned Miss Ohio, Marlia Fontaine, has lofty goals in mind.
"I have several things to accomplish," Fontaine, 23, of Massilon said. "I want to get the ball rolling."
She wants to see the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program broadcast statewide again. She also wants to help get the Diabetes Cost Reduction Act passed in the statehouse.
And she will compete for the Miss America crown this fall.
After four years of competition, Fontaine became Miss Ohio 2005 on Saturday night at the Renaissance Theatre, receiving the crown from outgoing Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle.
"I'm relieved," Fontaine said Sunday afternoon, sporting the crown on her head. "Obviously, I'm excited."
Wearing a green suede jacket and camisole with blue jeans in her first appearance as Miss Ohio, Fontaine said her new role had not yet had time to sink in. The University of Akron graduate competed for the crown against 23 other contestants.
"This year was the first time I did it for myself," she said.
Unlike previous years, Fontaine helped choose her wardrobe to showcase her personality with her director and friend James Grimes. She said judges have only the interview section of the program to get to know a contestant.
She wanted to let her personality show through her wardrobe as well, citing the leopard print evening gown she wore.
"That was to show I'm fun," she said. "I have a wild side, but I'm tame."
As Miss Ohio, Fontaine will work on her platform, "Diabetes: Educate to Alleviate." Both her parents, Marvin and Mary Fontaine, are diabetic.
She said Ohio is one of only four states that has no law to require insurance companies to cover medical supplies for diabetics. She would like to work with the state to remedy that and to educate people about diabetes.
After her reign, she will return to school, with one goal in mind -- to work for the United Nations on the Human Rights Commission. She has a bachelor's degree in sociology and law enforcement.
If she stays in the United States for school, she will study for her master's degree in international affairs. If she heads overseas, she will get a master's in human rights.

A Crown At Last
By Lou Whitmire, June 19, 2005

An exuberant new Miss Ohio, Marlia Fontaine. Photo by Jason J. Molyet/ www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com

MANSFIELD -- Miss Ohio 2005 is a singer, but she couldn't find any words Saturday night.
Miss Ohio 2005 is Marlia Fontaine of Massillon. Outgoing Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle placed the crown on her successor Saturday night at the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program.
The 23-year-old winner was speechless.
In her fourth attempt to garner the crown as Miss Lake Erie, she captured the title from a field of 23 other contestants.
Fontaine is a graduate of the University of Akron, with majors in sociology and law enforcement. Her platform is "Diabetes: Educate to Alleviate."
The new Miss Ohio receives scholarships of $10,000 from Newman Technology, $2,000 from Sprint and $1,000 from Dr. Greg Heintschel.
She will compete for the title of Miss America in Atlantic City in September.

. Runners-up: Runner-up was Miss North Coast Kristen Swinehart, 24, of Covington, winner of $5,500 in scholarships.
Second runner-up was Miss Clayland Julie Inboden, 23, of Dresden, winner of a $3,500 scholarship.
Third runner-up was Miss Pickerington Leslie Ondrey, 23, of North Olmsted, winner of a $2,250 scholarship.
Fourth runner-up was Miss South Central Ohio Nanciann Strosnider, 19, of Amelia, Ohio, winner of $1,400 in scholarships.
Top 10: Miss Maple City Natalie Heileman, 23, of New London; Miss Mansfield Bryn River Hough, 24, of Massillon; Miss Buckeye State Melanie Murphy, 19, of Brook Park; Miss Licking County Kasey Wilson, 18, of Granville; and Miss Maumee Valley Elizabeth Davis, 24, of Cleveland.

Finalists headshots were copied from www.missohio.com.

Chair Helps Miss Ohio Advance to Boardwalk
June 18, 2005

MANSFIELD — Wherever the Miss Ohio contestants are, you’ll find Sharon Herlihy.Her official title is contestant chairperson, but she wears many hats.Herlihy arrived at the downtown Renaissance Theatre about 9 a.m. Friday and watched contestants rehearse their talent presentations for the evening.A volunteer with the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program for 27 years, the Mansfield resident is responsible for housing and feeding the contestants and production crew and scheduling for the contestants and chaperones during Miss Ohio Week.Herlihy oversees 49 volunteers, who average 13 years service to the Miss Ohio program. Her group includes her assistant, Carla Wrasse; junior assistants, chaperones (volunteers who take contestants where they need to go), hostesses (volunteers who house contestants), and substitute chaperones.Herlihy is a board member of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and the contestant liaison. In addition to those responsibilities, she is Miss Ohio’s traveling companion to Atlantic City. This fall, she will take her 22nd Miss Ohio to the Miss America Scholarship Program.While the job sounds glamorous, Herlihy will spend 21⁄2 weeks packing everything for Miss Ohio 2005, who will be crowned tonight.“We’ve gotten it down to a science after all these years,” Herlihy said.Jeri Waite, the Miss Ohio program’s executive director, said Herlihy is always doing something extra.An important part of Herlihy’s job is making sure the girls are dressed and on stage when and where they need to be. “Sometimes backstage it becomes a traffic nightmare,” Waite said. “There’s a lot of thankless jobs and she’s got most of them. Sharon labels every item Miss Ohio takes to Miss America with ‘OH.’ Right down to curlers and toothbrushes’’ because everything must travel to Atlantic City and be delivered to the Boardwalk Hall where contestants compete, Waite said. Contestants’ personal items multiply quickly in the dressing room with 52 participants representing every state plus the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C., Waite said.Herlihy shuns the limelight. Her conversation always goes back to “the girls.” “It’s amazing to watch how much they can grow in 10 days,” Herlihy said. Each year, the contestants become more talented, outgoing and self-confident during the program, she said..“Some are right out of high school or college. I watch the other contestants mentor them. The girls can learn more in one week here than in any book,” Herlihy said. “I see the friendships develop. John Kunkel (the show’s producer) teases them they’ll meet their bridesmaids here.” Like many other Miss Ohio volunteers, Herlihy enjoys the family atmosphere.“It’s like a big family reunion and I enjoy catching up with the contestants each year, the stage crew and everyone” she said.Phyllis Zahn of Ontario, a chaperone for 18 years, said Herlihy is a wonderful person to work for.“You can call her at anytime and she takes the time to help you. She’s so calm. If she’s stressed she never shows it,” Zahn said.

Newcomers Have Big Night at Miss Ohio
By Lou Whitmire, June 18, 2005

MANSFIELD --Two newcomers to the Miss Ohio stage took home preliminary talent and swimsuit awards Friday night at the Renaissance Theatre.

Photos below of Elizabeth Davis during Talent and Melanie Murphy during Swimsuit competitions were taken by Jason J. Molyet/ www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com
Miss Maumee Valley Elizabeth Davis, 24, of Cleveland won the preliminary talent award, playing the violin to "Summertime & Lady Be Good." She added her own theatrical flare to the unique talent presentation.
Miss Buckeye State Melanie Murphy, 19, of Brook Park won the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit, wearing a hot-pink, two-piece swimsuit.
Davis said she entered the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program for two reasons: She wanted scholarship money and the organization allows a public venue to exercise ideas about poverty and homelessness. Bridging the gap with homeless and impoverished people is her platform.
Davis is a third-year graduate student at Case Western Reserve University and a graduate of Baylor University with a bachelor of fine arts degree,
Murphy, a dancer, and a sophomore at Cleveland State University majoring in communications, said she isn't on a diet, but watches what she eats.
Doing what she loves best, dancing, keeps her in shape, she said.
Both women said they felt no pressure on the stage this week.
Murphy said her goal this week at Miss Ohio was "to be myself and be the best I can be."
Davis said she has been playing violin since age 3. Her major at college is theater performance. She is classically trained, but experiments with jazz. She lives over a jazz restaurant in Cleveland.
Friday night's show included a duet by Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle with her boyfriend Craig Raymaley. They sang the Broadway tune "You'll Never Walk Alone" from "Carrousel."
The preshow brought all the executive directors from across Ohio onto the stage. Miss Ohio board members also were introduced.
Preshow honors also included a "Volunteer of the Year" award, which went to Martha Campbell and her entire committee. Campbell is executive director of the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program. Campbell of Uhrichsville began her involvement with the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program about 30 years ago. She was 12 years old.
The theatre was packed and loud. Audience members waved signs and used noisemakers to cheer on their favorite contestants and to applaud this week's featured entertainers.
The patriotic finale Friday night paid tribute to the U.S. Air Force and members of the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. The crowd went wild during the song "I Believe in America" sang by featured country entertainer Kenny Wayne.
Friday marked the third and final night of preliminary competition. Today the new Miss Ohio 2005 will be crowned. The preshow starts at 7:30 p.m. The show will be telecast on local WMFD TV 68 beginning at 8 p.m.

Summer Vacation Spent with Miss Ohio
By Lou Whitmire, June 17, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Pattie Hostettler spends her vacation working for the stage crew at the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program.
Lots of people take time off work to serve as volunteers for the program.
Hostettler took vacation from her job 11 of the past 14 years to be part of the stage crew.
This week, she is still working back stage with the setup crew. She can't take off from work.
"I got a real job," she joked. She is spending her evenings behind the curtains. She used to own Pattie's Hallmark in the Kingsgate Shopping Center. She now travels northwest Ohio as a sales representative.
"I think it's a great program and it's fun. It's like a big family. Lots of scholarship dollars go to the girls," she said, hurrying backstage before the show started Wednesday night.
Mansfield Fire Department firefighter Jim Bishop has spent the past 14 years volunteering with the Miss Ohio show. He has spent six years on the stage crew.
He uses his vacation time and now has recruited his son Bryce, 15, and daughter Paige, 12.
"I do it because of the people. (The late) Paul Herlihy asked me to help and I'm staying," he said.
Bishop said he will continue to volunteer, "as long as my wife lets me," he joked.
His wife, Sandy, also comes to the shows.
Julie Tinsman, 33, of Mansfield said her sister-in-law and brother, Terri (Herlihy) and Eric Tinsman of Mansfield, got her hooked.
Terri has been associated with the Miss Ohio program for 27 years, following in her mother Sharon and late father (Paul Herhily's) footsteps.
Julie Tinsman said she is serving her ninth year on stage crew.
She took vacations from both her jobs -- at The Ohio State University at Mansfield/North Central State College Child Development Center and also from A Unique Tan.
"This week is a big family reunion. We got to talking this week and said that's how it feels," she said.
There is a lot of work to be done and sometimes it can be stressful, but she still finds time for fun.
"Depending on the set, we can work mid morning to 2 a.m. or (mid morning) to 9 p.m.," she said.
Julie Tinsman said she schedules the Monday after pageant weekend off from work to catch her breath.
Retired Mansfield firefighter Jim Southward is marking his 22nd year as a volunteer with the Miss Ohio program this week.
He now is employed for the Richland County Emergency Management Office and is taking vacation this week to lend a hand.
Southward said giving up his vacation is worth it.
"I believe in the Miss Ohio program and the friendships I've established," he said. "I've met a lot of people over the years, including John Kunkel (the show's producer) and we've become good friends."
Ralph Minich of Mansfield has been volunteering at Miss Ohio for the past 21 years.
A retired businessman, he raises and lowers everything theater-goers see on stage.
"Scenery. Lights. I'm the railmaster," he said.

Opera Singer Wins Talent Again

By Lou Whitmire, June 17, 2005

MANSFIELD -- For the second night in a row, an opera singer captured the preliminary talent competition at the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at the Renaissance Theatre.

In photos below, Swimsuit winner Leslie Ondrey shares her excitement with Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle; Talent winner Paulette Penzvalto performs. Photos taken by Jason J. Molyet/ www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com

Thursday night, Miss Greater Cleveland Paulette Penzvalto, 23, of Avon, Ohio, sang "Habanera" from Carmen, wearing a red gown she rented from the Cleveland Opera, and won $700.
The preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit honor and $500 went to Miss Pickerington Leslie Ondrey, 23, of North Olmsted, Ohio. Ondrey wore a two-piece, neon melon swimsuit to capture the judges' attention.
Ondrey, who was first runner-up at Miss Ohio last year, said she was excited to win a swimsuit award.
"It's awesome," she said. "I worked hard at the gym."
Ondrey, who also is an opera singer, is a sophomore at Cleveland Institute of Music, majoring in voice.
Penzvalto, who is enrolled in the Manhattan School of Music, majoring in vocal performance, has studied opera for 10 years.
The newcomer to the Miss Ohio stage said her mother is a mezzosoprano.
"This is one of the greatest weeks of my life," Penzvalto said.
The final round of preliminary competition is tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The winner will be crowned Saturday night. She will compete in Atlantic City, N.J., at the Miss America Scholarship Program this fall.
Thursday night's show had some humorous moments and surprises.
Jeri Waite, Miss Ohio's executive director, joined the featured entertainers to sing "YMCA."
Krystie's Dance Academy of Warren delighted the crowd with pint-sized dancers moving to a modern version of the Hokey Pokey. The crowd gave the young girls a standing ovation.
During the patriotic finale, the Miss Ohio show paid tribute to the U.S. Marines on stage Thursday night. Members of the U.S. Army were featured on stage Wednesday night.
The audience was treated to solos and production numbers featuring the show's talented entertainers -- Shana Teel, Cheryl Wyatt, Kenny Wayne, Samantha Maxwell, Jeff Ungemach and Triple A.

Program Rite for Some Families

By Lou Whitmire, June 16, 2005

MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is more than swimsuits and singing. It's also a tradition for families.
Dauphne Maloney, her daughter Shannon Maloney and Shannon's friend Stephen Thompson came to the Miss Ohio show Wednesday night to cheer for contestant Lauren Shatlock of Mansfield, Miss Heart of It All.
Dauphne has been coming to the Miss Ohio program for 20 years. She started as a contestant and later became producer of a local preliminary pageant called Miss North Central Ohio.
The youth theater director at the Mansfield Playhouse said she knows many of the people involved in the show and "loves the energy of the production numbers."
Dauphne will attend each preliminary competition, but won't be in the audience Saturday night because her daughter Shannon, 17, is receiving a scholarship for college. The younger Maloney is headed to Oklahoma City University to major in dance.
Thompson, 22, also had his eye on Shatlock on Wednesday night. The Lexington High School graduate was his prom date.
Thompson also was rooting for Jaycie Dotin, Miss Stark County, a friend from Wright State University, where they majored in musical theater.
"I just graduated and I love this theater. I was in 'The King and I' here," Thompson said.
Local residents attend the program shows all week, with many working behind the scenes and others filling the theater an hour before the show.
Miss Ohio volunteers Jan and Don Moll of Brunswick said some pageant fans order the same seat each year.
Rebecca Buhler, 11, of Mansfield was watching the Miss Ohio show for the first time.
"I'm a junior assistant and run errands for the contestants," she said. Buhler and her sister Loring, 13, planned to find open seats and watch the show -- a perk for being a volunteer.
The sisters, who attend St. Peter's schools, said they wouldn't mind being in the Miss Ohio program someday.
"I have no talent except brushing my hair," Rebecca laughed.
Paige Bishop, 12, called herself a "go-fer" saying she isn't interested in being on stage.
"I come just for the fun," she said.
And junior assistant Alexis Smith, 12, who will be in seventh grade at John Simpson Middle School, said seeing the show is something she's done since she was a little girl.
She said she liked watching rehearsals.
The girls said they particularly liked the drummers, three male performers in a group call "Triple A."

Miss Mansfield wins talent preliminary

By Lou Whitmire, June 16, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Miss Mansfield Bryn River Hough, 24, of Massillon captured Wednesday night's preliminary talent award at the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and won $700.
Two contestants -- Miss Lake Erie Marlia Fontaine, 23, of Massillon, and Miss North Coast Kristen Swinehart, 24, of Covington, Ohio -- tied for Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit, each taking home a $500 Richland Bank preliminary swimsuit award.
The Renaissance Theatre's focus was on 24 talented Miss Ohio contestants, who brought legions of fans who cheered them throughout the evening at the downtown Park Avenue West theater.

Hough, who Wednesday night sang "Una Voce Poco Fa" from "The Barber of Seville," said she wants to become the next Miss Ohio to promote her platform, arts education.
This is her last year to compete because the age limit is 24.
Hough is a graduate of the University of Akron, where she majored in mass communications. She plans to become a news anchor.

Fontaine, wearing a two-piece, lime-green swimsuit, is making her fourth attempt to become Miss Ohio.
She told the media she lost 15 pounds since last year's competition.
Fontaine is a graduate of the University of Akron, with majors in sociology and law enforcement. Her platform or area of interest is "Diabetes: Educate to Alleviate."
Swinehart, who also captured a preliminary swimsuit award last year, is making her third trip to the Miss Ohio stage.
Swinehart, a dancer, said she focused on overall fitness and heart healthiness in preparing for this trip to Miss Ohio.
Her platform is "Cardiovascular Disease Awareness."
Swinehart wore a two-piece blue velvet swimsuit Wednesday, the same suit she wore when she won preliminary swimsuit last year.

Swineheart is a third-year student at Florida Coastal School of Law and a graduate of Oklahoma City University, where she majored in dance management.
Wednesday night's show was full of entertainment: From Krystie's Dance Academy of Warren, Ohio, to the featured vocalists who brought a "Kaleidoscope" of music to the colorful stage. "Kaleidoscope" is the theme of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and theatergoers were treated to country tunes, Broadway musical tunes and everything in between.

Above photos of Bryn's winning reaction and Marlia in Swimsuit taken by Jason J. Molyet/ www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com; No competition photos of Kristen were available, the above headshot was found on www.missohio.com.

He runs ER for dresses

By Lou Whitmire, June 15, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Greg Peyton spent Tuesday morning altering a Miss Ohio contestant's evening gown that was two sizes too big.
Peyton, 34, of Zanesville and Karen Lash of Columbus are costumers at this year's Miss Ohio Scholarship Program.
Audiences will see the results of their work today when preliminary competition starts at the Renaissance Theatre at 7:05 p.m.
Participants wear their own clothes for talent, evening gown and swimsuit events, but they go to Peyton when they lose a button or need a hook-and-eye or a tuck.
He made the dresses all 24 contestants will wear for a swing-era dance number.
"It's a very colorful number," Peyton said. Reigning Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle will wear a lime green, polka-dot dress he patterned from a dress designed in 1941.
Peyton began making the costumes in April.
Peyton sets up operations in his small area behind a stairwell. He has a sewing machine, racks of clothes in plastic storage bags and plenty of needles and thread.
When contestants can't find what they need in stores, Peyton creates it.
This is his first year to work for the Miss Ohio program. The shows this week will feature costumes for a range of themes from Broadway to Cirque du Soleil to Las Vegas-type productions.
Peyton has sewed since graduating from high school. His first creation was a sequined prom dress; he has since made costumes for talent-show contestants.
"It's fun. It's the pressure. I like seeing it come together," he said of the Miss Ohio show.
While contestants and performers rehearsed on stage, volunteers worked Tuesday throughout the theater.
Don and Jan Moll of Brunswick handled ticket orders. They started helping out at Miss Ohio show in 1971.
Danielle Hildrebrand, 15, and her mother Margie, of Morrow County bought 5 tickets.
"We always watched it on TV," Danielle said. "I'm a big fan."

They Eat Little, But Eat Well

By Lou Whitmire, June 14, 2005

All week long, the Mansfield News Journal randomly interviewed contestants for various articles. I was oh-so lucky to be in a profound article about what we eat... It was really a no-win situation; to say you carefully watch what you eat would put a bad taste in the mouths of non-pageant folks. On the other hand, to say you eat whatever would make you seem like an unfocused contestant.

So I choose to thank those who donate the food and dote on how wonderful it is. I also thought it would be fun to get my host home, Brenda and Terri McKinley’s name in print! Mission accomplished! The really amusing part is that this week, Brenda’s neighbor, Deb, got us the strawberries and the day after the article, Terri and I ate hotdogs and chips!

MANSFIELD -- Miss Ohio contestants eat well this week, despite watching their figures.
Jerry Waite, executive director of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, said 95 percent of the contestants' meals are donated. "The community support is just terrific," he said.
Monday night, the contestants were Celebrity Waitresses at Applebee's and O'Charley's restaurants in Ontario, with portions of their tips going to the Miss Ohio scholarship fund.
On Monday, the 24 contestants and chaperones enjoyed Asian salad, lots of stir-fried vegetables and fresh fruits at Chinatown.
"I tried to cook nothing fattening," chef King Chin, 46, said.
Chin said he stayed away from everything fried. "They don't eat much," he said of this year's contestants. "And it's only Monday. They can work it off."
Miss Open City Allie Krucek, 20, of North Canton said she got up early Monday and went to the Mansfield Area Y to exercise.
"They gave us free guest passes," she said.
Krucek said she doesn't believe in going on a diet.
"I just eat healthy," she said. "I stay away from fried foods and junk food. Afterwards (after Miss Ohio) I plan to splurge for one week," she said.
Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Katelyn Osborne, 20, of Marion said she is able to eat during pageant week. She ran in the Miss Ohio 5K Run this weekend. "I eat but just in moderation," she said.
Osborne said she had cheesecake at the Elks Club after the parade Sunday.
Miss Northwestern Ohio Abby Bollenbacher, 23, of Rockford said during Miss Ohio week contestants are served great food.
"I cannot wait to help with the program and eat with reckless abandon when I am not a contestant," she laughed.
Bollenbacher said she won't eat after 4 p.m. Thursday, when she competes in swimsuit.
"Katelyn and I are roommates and I must say our host home Brenda and Terry McKinley are great at providing healthy snacks. She goes to the local strawberry farms," Bollenbacher said.
Contestants' meals will be provided by Rax, Pizza Hut, Optimist Club, Park Avenue Express, Emm's, Applebee's, O'Charley's, Olive Garden, Sprint, Women's Club and Roadhouse.

Miss Ohio hopefuls draw big crowd to parade

By Lou Whitmire, June 13, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Some spectators at the Miss Ohio Festival Parade probably wondered why Miss Lake Erie Marlia Fontaine, 23, of Massillon wore a fish on her shoe.
Or, why Miss Ohio Valley Carissa Cook, 20, of Wintersville had a Wizard of Oz scene built on top of her shoe.
There was a reason for the unique footwear worn by the 24 contestants in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Competition on Sunday: Contestants in the Miss America parade in Atlantic City, N.J., don outlandishly decorated shoes.
Fontaine, making her fourth appearance at the state pageant this week at the Renaissance Theatre, donned the fish to represent her preliminary pageant -- the Miss Lake Erie Scholarship Program.
Cook collects Wizard of Oz memorabilia.
Depite the hot, humid weather, crowds lined Park Avenue West to see the 115-unit parade and the contestants riding in sports cars.
Floats, twirlers, veterans and lots of entertaining entries filled the parade. People passed out everything from candy and carnations to miniature clay bricks -- for Miss Clayland Julie Imboden of Dresden -- and pizza coupons along the route.
Stewart and Shirley Monica, owners of McDonald's restaurants in Mansfield and surrounding areas, were parade grand marshals.
Anita Horvath, 73, and her daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Ed Knipper, all of Elyria, set up their lawn chairs shortly before 1 p.m. across from the Renaissance Theatre.
Horvath came to cheer for Jenna Lane, 4, her great-granddaughter. When the red-headed twirler with The Deputies of Elyria walked by, family members waved and shouted, "Jenna, Jenna" much to the delight of the little girl.
Marvin and Mary Fontaine of Massillon were there to support daughter Marlia.
"Everyone supports everyone else. We have the best old time," Marvin Fontaine said.
Jack and Brandee Barnes of Lexington brought lawn chairs and snacks.
"We come every year," Jack said, surrounded by sons Jack, 10, and Nicholas, 5, nephew Anthony Sanfilippo and grandmother Lynn Sanfilippo, also of Lexington.
The crowd-pleasers included The Lexington Band of Gold, the Mansfield Senior High School marching band and many colorful floats.
A Mansfield salon, Cuttin' It Close, had a float featuring the musical "Hair." The Al Koran Shriner's captured attention as they burned rubber to darted around in their miniature cars.
Many parade entries included costumes, from Smokey the Bear on the Mansfield Fire Department ladder truck to blue waterdrop-costumed women from Everdry Waterproofing, whose parade unit also featured a poodle dyed blue.

In above photo, Miss Ohio Contestants and Miss Ohio 2004 Amanda Beagle pose with local servicepersons after the parade. Photo by LA.

Volunteers Ready for Miss Ohio Invasion

By Lou Whitmire, June 12, 2005

MANSFIELD -- About 200 volunteers from across the state converge on the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at the Renaissance Theatre, putting Mansfield in the limelight each year in June.
Terri Tinsman of Mansfield and the set construction crew Tuesday arrived bright-and-early at the Renaissance Theatre. Ray and Garry Smith of GAS Construction in Mansfield already were already cutting 2-by-4s for the opening number, "Main Street America."
Jim Bishop and his son Bryce Bishop, Jim Southward and Eric Tinsman -- all local volunteers -- were not to be distracted. After many years of practice, the core group assured this visitor the basic set would be completed by day's end along with dressing rooms.
"I will live here until Miss Ohio is crowned," said Terri Tinsman, business manager and stage manager for the Miss Ohio organization.
Miss Ohio fans won't be disappointed when the curtains open and the 24 contestants from throughout Ohio take the stage beginning Wednesday night.
"Kaleidoscope" is the theme of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program show this week and John Kunkel, the show's producer, said the audience is in for a few surprises.
Contestants will compete for the title during preliminary nights of competition Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the theater.
The new Miss Ohio 2005 will be crowned Saturday night on the Renaissance stage.
Kunkel said Miss Ohio-goers will enjoy various musical elements of the show including "Main Street America,'' featuring songs, music and dance found on the streets in America.
Another segment of this year's show, called "Mask," features music from stage shows, broadway and movies. The show also features a segment on "The Elements," which highlights the rain, the moon, the sun and wind, as well music from the '50s era, and a "Believe in America" segment.
"It will be a very, very, very entertaining show. I'm excited about Miss Ohio show," Kunkel said.
"Our audience has been treated to some of the top talents in my 21 years as producer and 38 years with the program," he said. "When you see the excitement in their (contestants) eyes, it makes everything so worthwhile."
Volunteers moved into the Renaissance Theatre this past week to begin set construction and work on lighting and sound.
Kunkel said contestants again will stay in host homes with volunteers driving them to and from the Renaissance and assisting them throughout pageant week.
He said the pageant wouldn't be possible without all the people who open their homes for the contestants, and the local eateries who donate food for the contestants, not to mention the in kind services from the City of Mansfield.
"A lot of people give up two weeks vacation to come to volunteer during Miss Ohio," Kunkel said.
Board member Drena McCurdy of Lexington has been involved with the program for more than 20 years.
"I do it because I love the program," she said. "I have experienced every aspect of that program. I started out as a mother of a contestant. I'm a volunteer, a donor and I'm on the board and I've judged," she said.
McCurdy said the Miss Ohio program gives the girls an opportunity to earn scholarship money, which makes their lives better.
"Sometimes you hear negative thoughts about the pageant world but I've seen some phenomenal things come out of the program and it's because of the contestants and the people who care about the program," she said.
Mark Schnitkey of Napoleon, Ohio, is marking his first year as emcee. Reigning Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle also is serving as co-emcee.
Featured entertainers will include Samantha Maxwell of McConnellsville, Ohio, and newcomers Shana Teel of Nashville, Tenn.; Cheryl Wyatt of Dayton, Ohio; Jeff Ungemach and Kenny Wayne of Zanesville; and three percussionists who call themselves Triple A and whose members are Adam Brown, Adam Snider and Aaron Oakley.
Dancers from Krystie's Dance Academy in Warren, Ohio, will be returning this year.
Members of 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard honor guard will also serve as escorts for the contestants.
For more information on the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, visit www.missohio.org or call (419) 522-6677.

Miss Ohio Contestants Enjoy Food at Festival Opening

By Lou Whitmire, June 11, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Lauren Shatlock, 20, of Mansfield, liked the appetizers at Sweet Basil Eatery on Friday afternoon.
She and other contests opened the Miss Ohio Festival downtown.
The 2003 Lexington High School graduate had just autographed an Ohio-shaped board bearing photos of the 24 contestants.
It continues today and Sunday with the 100-plus unit Miss Ohio Parade kicking off at 2 p.m. Sunday along Park Avenue West.
Shatlock, who is making her first appearance at the Miss Ohio competition, holds the title of Miss Heart of It All.
A musical theater major, she is looking forward to performing a song Wednesday night at the first preliminary competition.
She and other contestants seemed to enjoy the newly renovated former Reed's Department Store building.
Elizabeth A. Davis, of Cleveland, who is competing as Miss Maumee Valley, also is a newcomer to the pageant.
It's her first and last year to compete since she is 24 years old.
"I decided to compete because this organization allows a voice, a public venue to exercise ideas about poverty and homelessness," she said. Bridging the gap with homeless and impoverished is her platform, the issue she hopes to promote if she becomes Miss Ohio.
Members of the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard chorus performed with outgoing Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle.
Senior Airman Bobbi Bennett of Upper Sandusky said she planned to eat and then listen to some of the stage entertainment.
"It's my first time to the Miss Ohio Festival," she said.
Despite the threat of rain, visitors sampled the various foods.
James Daniel of Mansfield was eating some festival fries, his favorite fair-type food.
"I'm a regular," he said of the festival. "And I plan to come to the parade."
Jennifer Brook, 13, of Shelby came to get Miss Ohio's autograph.
Her aunt, Mary Brook, said her granddaughter loves Miss Ohio festivities.
"I like meeting the contestants," the girl said.

Downtown Prepping for Miss Ohio Program

By Russ Kent, June 5, 2005

MANSFIELD -- Twenty-four Miss Ohio contestants are putting the final touches on their gowns, checking their make-up bags and fine-tuning their talent performances in preparation for the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program competition.
At the same time, merchants, restaurant owners and hotel employees are sprucing up their own establishments and the downtown area in preparation for the arrival of Miss Ohio contestants, fans and curiosity-seekers.
The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program runs June 15 to June 18 at the Renaissance Theatre. The Miss Ohio Festival begins Friday and runs through Sunday in the downtown area.
"It's another opportunity to show off what's happening in the downtown area," said Burton Stahl, director of Main Street Mansfield. "I think people who haven't been to Mansfield in a year will notice the difference."
Each year, the Miss Ohio festivities draw thousands to Mansfield.
A year ago, just weeks after the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, downtown merchants and workers teamed up with city officials to make changes in the area.
The result is truly a case of addition by subtraction.
Gone are overgrown trees, shrubs and dark corners. Also gone are problems with panhandlers who chased after visitors asking for spare change and more.
"It's really is amazing what's been accomplished in the past year," Stahl said.
One new tenant in the downtown area is the Sweet Basil Eatery, which now occupies the long-vacant Reed's building. The Sweet Basil Eatery will be the site Friday's official Miss Ohio Scholarship Program contest check-in. In the past, the check-in has been conducted at the mall in Ontario.
"They actually called us and asked if we'd be interested," said Kim Sterry, who along with her husband Roger own Sweet Basil Eatery. "It's nice to be able to move that one part of the program to downtown along with everything else."
She also admits it gives her and her husband a chance to show off their new venture.
"You take advantage of any situation you can to promote yourself," she said.
The official check-in kicks off the Miss Ohio Festival, which runs downtown from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
"There are a few new things," Stahl said. "For one thing, we're trying to make it a more family friendly. We've got some carnival-style rides to go along with the food concessions, the bands and the beer garden."
The highlight of the festival is the annual Miss Ohio Parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. next Sunday.