Pictures Miss Ohio Competition!

The first four photos were taken from the Mansfield News Journal, they did a really good job with media coverage and pictures all week! I also must give a big thanks to all of the photographers who donated their time to photograph all of the contests.

The Miss Ohio Parade

Being announced top 10. I wish I was more enthusiastic....

Evening gown competition.

Swimsuit competition.

The following pictures were taken by mom from the audience, thanks mom!

On stage question.

Phew....glad that's over.

Swimsuit.

Swimsuit.

Talent.

Talent.

Talent.

I was TRYING to sing Fashion, which is still stuck in my head. "Don't you wanna see these clothes on me...."

The Crowning moment, Congrats Erica!

Miss Ohio Week 2009

First off, I must congratulate Erica Gelhaus on winning the title of Miss Ohio 2009!! She is a wonderful young woman who is beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside as well. She is extremely talented and very well-spoken. I can honestly say that Miss Ohio may have another Miss America on their hands! I wish her the best of luck during her year as Miss Ohio and I know she will do great at Miss America 2010.

For those of you that are familiar with Miss Ohio week you know that it is hectic and tiring. Although everyone was dragging by the Saturday morning, we had more down time than other years! All of the contestants caught on to the production number very quickly and we often found ourselves back at our host homes while the sun was still up. I had a great time getting to know all of the new contestants and reuniting with the old. I enjoyed all of the activities during the week, such as the Carousel, the fashion show at the Richland Mall, the parade especially the Clydesdale horses, the teen pageant and of course the crowning moment of the new Miss Ohio.

I was thrilled to be a top 10 semi-finalist at Miss Ohio this year. I really had a wonderful time and I wasn't the least bit disappointed with the top 5 results. I was just happy for the opportunity to perform on Saturday night. I am really looking forward to next year and I already miss all of the chaperons and contestants.

I really feel like I've grown as a person and competitor since I began competing in the program. I learned that the most important thing to have when competing at Miss Ohio (or anything in life) is a positive attitude. It's definitely easier said than done. It's so easy to compare yourself to other contestants and began to convince yourself that you're not worthy or winning and that you're not good enough, etc. Karissa gave all of the contestants the best advice I've ever heard. She said that we are only competing with ourselves and not one another and it is important that we don't become our own worst enemy.

I have to thank so many people! First I must thank God for the wonderful opportunity to compete at Miss Ohio and for giving me strength not to pass out under the HOT stage lights (haha). I also have to thank my mom and grandma for coming to every competition night and always sitting through my events (no matter how boring). I definitely have to thank Amber Cleland for being the best chaperon and host home EVER! We had the best time together and I really do miss her already! Another thank you goes out to Sue Cleland. Although she wasn't technically my chaperon this year, I felt like she still was. Thank you for fixing my dresses at the last moment and I really enjoyed our lunch date on the boat! I have to thank Brett, my boyfriend, for driving to Mansfield to drive me in the parade. It really meant a lot to me and I was happy he got to enjoy and be a part of Miss Ohio week. I want to thank Melanie Murphy Miller for her constructive advice during my talent rehearsal, it definitely helped. I also have to thank Dolly, Wil and Charlie for the great dinner before the teen pageant. They are all so supportive and encouraging and I love my Miss Maple City family. Thanks to Karissa for a wonderful year as Miss Ohio 2008, you were fantastic and I know you will be very successful in anything you want to do. And last but not least, thank you to all of the other contestants for an amazing week and wonderful memories.

(I will post more pictures soon)

I'm back from Disney and ready for Miss Ohio!

As I take a vacation from my vacation, I can't help but to get excited for Miss Ohio! First, I'll tell you about my trip to Walt Disney World. I had a blast and we got to ride all the rides and see all the attractions we really wanted to see. I mentioned previously that my last trip to Disney was in '05. Some things have changed since the last time I'd been there. I noticed the parades and shows incorporate more dancing and actual performing! I think this is the influence of the High School Musical movies and Hannah Montana, but it's definitely a good thing. I also rode the newer rides, such as Soarin' and Toy Story Mania, which were both great. Of course, there was Fantasmic! and Spectromagic which were enjoyable as always. But I must say that one of my favorite parts of the trip was the dinner show "Hoopdie Doo" and meeting Mickey Mouse. For those of you that have never been to Disney, disregard what I just said because you won't understand any of it (lol).

In front of the train station at the Magic Kingdom.

Yes, those are really scary storm clouds behind me.

At the "Spirit of Aloha" dinner show.

In front of the Fantasmic! stage.

I'm being silly in front of the Rain Forest Cafe.....as usual.

My new friends Kevin and Kyle! We met them during the Illuminations Nighttime spectacular and they we're so funny.

**Disclaimer: I know what you all are probably thinking, "OMG she cut her hair before MISS OHIO?!"......No I didn't. My hair just looks short because of the tight curls, when I don't straighten it. I wasn't about to fight the Florida heat during my vacation! lol

Although I had a fun week, it's now time to get ready and start packing for Miss Ohio and I couldn't be more excited. I have finalized the choreography to the dance I'm doing, which is a lyrical number to the song Via Dolorosa by Sandi Patti. I will be adding the final touches and rhinestones to my talent costume soon along with the tedious task of PACKING! Wish me luck as I prepare for Miss Ohio. I look forward to seeing all of my Miss Ohio sisters, it won't be long.

Packing for Disney World!

Miss Ohio is drawing near, so what am I doing to prepare? I'm going to Disney World! OK, well I guess no REAL preparation will be taking place but it's a nice break from practicing, working on my platform, working out, reviewing different topics for interview, etc. I am excited that once I get back form Disney World I will have only a week or so before Miss Ohio! Hopefully I will be able to update you with some pictures from trip since I will be meeting every one's favorite mouse, Mickey!

The last time I'd been to Disney was 2005 (when I was 15) for Christmas. Since then, I became busy with school and activities and we haven't had a chance to go until now. Here are some picture from my trip to Disneyland in '05.

Pluto was asking me to marry him.

Mickey, in his Sailor outfit, and I

Being silly, as always.

I'm in front of a giant Christmas tree!

Miss Ohio Community Service Day

Yesterday was the Miss Ohio Community Service Day/Bowl-A-Thon! The contestants arrived around 10 am and broke up into smaller groups. The different groups went to various places around the Mansfield area for their community service projects. I was in a group with Miss West Central, Victoria Miller and Miss Heart of Ohio, Ashley Warholic. We went to the Salvation Army in Ashland, Ohio to visit the Kroc building (donated by Joan Kroc, founder of McDonald's who donated $1.5 billion to the Salvation Army before she passed away). The three of us along with Melanie Murphy Miller, Miss Ohio 2006 hosted a Princess Party! Little girls and their mothers (even some grandmothers) attended the party. We started off by decorating crowns and coloring. Then the contestants served everyone lunch and had our very own tea party. Next all three of the contestants introduced ourselves and talked a little about our platforms and our successes in the MAO program. We also talked about the four points in the crown and the qualities of a true princess. We even had a runway and all of the princesses had a chance to do their very best princess "walk." The Salvation Army is first and foremost a church, so we also made it a point to the young girls that, although crowns are pretty they aren't eternal and the only eternal crown is God's and we are his princesses. We ended the princess party by decorating crown cookies with icing and sprinkles. I had a blast and I would like to thank everyone that made the party possible, the volunteers for Miss Ohio and the Salvation Army along with Melanie Murphy Miller. (Unfortunately, I have no pictures from the party because my camera was dead).

As community service day was winding down, the contestants came back for bowling. My bowling group consisted of myself, my mom, Miss Maumee Valley Shannon O'Neill and Shannon's mom. We were soooo bad! We actually won the prize for lowest overall score! I guess I'm going to need some practice for next year.

Miss Ohio Forum

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted this sooner but Blogger wasn’t letting me upload pictures for whatever reason. This past weekend was the Miss Ohio forum. The forum is a chance for all the contestants competing for the title of Miss Ohio to get to meet one another, find out what will be happening at Miss Ohio and learn what is expected of you if you win the coveted title of Miss Ohio.

The meeting was great and informative, as always. The theme for Miss Ohio is “Timeless” but not many details were given out. I do love surprises though so I am looking forward to finding out more. I do know that the contestant number will be to Rhianna’s hit, Disturbia, which is one of those songs that you just have to dance to when you hear it. We also learned the contestant line-up. I am contestant number six, which is a huge coincidence because I was contestant number six last year! We also had a chance to meet the adorable teen contestants. I wish them lots of luck and I hope they have a wonderful time this year as they compete for the title of Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen.

During the meeting we also found out why the contestants were staying overnight at a camp and participating in groups challenges. It is a part of the Duke of Edinburgh’ Award. To win the bronze medal you are required to be between the ages of 14 and 25, participate in an adventurous journey that lasts 2 days and 1 night, 3 months of physical recreation, skills and community service. As contestants all of us are already working out, participating in community service with our platforms and building skills (speaking skills, etc.) all we needed was a weekend with team building challenges and an overnight stay, which we did! The award is meant to learn how to give useful community service to others, encourage physical recreation and improvement of performance and encourage the development of personal interest and practice skills. This is a very prestigious award and it’s mainly been given out in Europe but the chairman of the Miss America Organization has decided to bring it over to the states. As Miss Ohio contestants it would be awesome if each of this received the award on the Miss Ohio stage. We would be the first state to do this and hopefully we would start a trend!


After the teen contestants and parents left the Miss Ohio contestants had a chance to get to one another. We were broken up into groups the corresponded with the cards we picked and the people staying in our cabins. My group consisted of Ashleigh Lemon (Miss Maple City), Becky Minger (Miss Fallen Timbers), Victoria Miller (Miss West Central), Courtney Monk (Miss Buckeye State), Karissa Martin (Miss Ohio 2008) and myself. We participated in activities that were fun, get-to-know type of activities. They actually reminded me of the kinds of challenges that the girls in Countdown to the Crown participated in. We had to build a poster that incorporated our team color and card type, do a scavenger hunt and then build a puzzle using pieces we found, trivia and name that tune (with kazoos). Our team actually won! We had the highest score out of all of the other groups. Our prize was a beautiful bracelet for each team member from Deena. Thank you!!

We wrapped up the evening with roasting smores around fire and just having the chance to get to know one another and serenade each other with kazoos.

The Queens of Hearts...the winning group!
Building our poster.

The puzzle we put together from the scavenger hunt.

Team RED with our kazoos.


Our Prize....Bracelets!

The next day we competed in challenges. The challenges required us to have trust, communication and rely on our team. There was a human lap sit, a human knot, a rope swing, being blind folded and using our partner to help us get through an obstacle course, jump through a tire, etc. a few more that I can’t remember. After the challenges I really felt closer to the group. I really felt that this brought everyone together on a new level that’s never been reached before with the Miss Ohio contestants. I got to really know old contestants and bond with new ones. I had an amazing time. I know a lot of people didn’t understand why the contestants had to go camping….well it really was for good reason. I enjoyed myself so much and I really cannot wait to go back!

Jenna Wilson and I are ready for fun!

This was an activity we did to build trust, the lap sit.

The Human Knot.


Human knot again!

"We have to grab THAT rope...over there?"

"What if we anchor Kristy and let her lean forward...I mean, she's tall enough to reach, right?"

"Ok, I have an idea. What if we tie our hoodies together to make a laso to reach the rope?" (It actually worked)

Congratulations, Kristen Dalton Miss USA 2009!!!

The Crowning Moment!

I had Kristen picked from the moment I saw her work the stage in swimsuit. I thought her evening gown was one of the best and she seemed to be the only contestant that didn't rush off the stage. Her answers to her on stage questions were a little shaky, however; she did have better answers than the remaining top five. Overall, I thought she was the most well-rounded contestant and I wish her the best of luck this year.

I'm pretty tired after a tiring but an extremely fun weekend. I will be posting pictures and comments tomorrow!!!