Best of Luck to Miss Ohio USA, Natasha Vivoda!

Miss Ohio, Natasha Vivoda is flying to Las Vegas today for the Miss USA pageant, which will culminate on April 19th.
Her former high school hosted a send-off for her, pep rally style!

CLICK HERE to watch a video from the event.

Champion High give '05 graduate royal send-off to Miss USA Pageant
March 31, 2009
Ed Runyan

CHAMPION — Chemistry and physics teacher John Fisher remembers Miss Ohio USA Natasha Vivoda from the chemistry classes he taught her during her junior and senior years at Champion High School.

The most notable thing about her may have just been her determination to succeed in the honors-level classes she took.

...Vivoda, who is a couple semesters away from completing her bachelor’s degree in biology at Youngstown State University, works at Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland and hopes to someday earn a doctorate in physical therapy.

“Your success can serve as a lesson to us all, that future greatness isn’t written on the faces of the people we meet every day,” Fisher said.

...Vivoda told the crowd, “Life is like a test. It tests your strength, and you have to find it within to see how strong you are, and anything’s possible. It really is.”

The 21-year-old has received medical treatment and undergone surgery for problems with her vocal chords since she was small.

These experiences, along with trips to hospitals to visit her grandfather, John Vivoda, in recent years caused her to become interested in the medical field, she said in an interview after the celebration.

... Vivoda, whose younger sister, Anastasia Kloss, is a sophomore at Champion, gave the Champion students a piece of advice: “Never be afraid to fail at something. Success is not being afraid to fail sometimes.”

Senior Daniel Headrick said after getting an autographed picture of Vivoda that her accomplishments have given a boost to Champion students.

Daniel said it’s great that “somebody from such a small town can go that far,” adding that she proves “your dreams can come true.” She also shows that “your education matters because she worked hard for it,” he said.

Natasha's blog says at the send-off she received a proclamation from State Representative Tom Letson and a resolution from Congressman Tim Ryan's Office.

Having competed with Natasha my second year at Miss Ohio USA, I can say she is an absolute sweetheart. Best of luck to her in Vegas!