MISScellanea: Pageant Press and Pictures: Miss Clayland 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pageant Press and Pictures: Miss Clayland 2009

Celina woman newest Miss Clayland

By Cindy Davis
Times Reporter

UHRICHSVILLE, OH — Heather Waterman, 22, of Celina was crowned Miss Clayland 2010 during the 54th annual scholarship pageant held Saturday night in Claymont High.

Waterman also received the Ray King Talent and Interview Awards, bringing her scholarship total to $2,130. The amount includes $500 to the Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State University.

...“I was really surprised and excited,” Waterman said after her win. “This is my third title, and Erica has crowned me all three times. I was also Miss Lake Festival and Miss Northwestern.”

For her talent, Waterman performed the vocal “There You’ll Be” from the movie “Pearl Harbor.” She wore a yellow, two-piece bathing suit for the swimsuit portion of the contest and was asked her opinion about President Barack Obama’s national speech to schoolchildren for her impromptu on-stage question.

“I think anytime a president speaks to schoolchildren there is a great opportunity to learn,” Waterman said. Her platform is Ready, Set, Motivate, which focuses on setting goals for children and adults. She is attending graduate school at Wright State University to obtain a master’s degree in business education.

Waterman said she is happy to have the opportunity to go back to the Miss Ohio pageant in June and believes being Miss Clayland is an advantage. “They have a great crew here, and I’m excited to work with them,” she added.

The first runner-up and recipient of a $300 scholarship was Kristy Moneysmith, 20, of Union City. Moneysmith sang “When a Man Loves a Woman” for her talent... She was asked about how to encourage college graduates to stay in the area with the high rate of unemployment. Moneysmith believes stimulus money and Issue 3 would bring jobs to the region.

The second runner-up was Sherry El Sakr, 23, of Strongsville. She received a $200 scholarship and performed “Canon in D” on the piano... Her impromptu question referred to the health care system.

...Danielle Henry ...was awarded a Community Service Scholarship of $150. Henry is active with the American Cancer Society and is an advocate for Relay for Life. She also speaks to local, state and national representatives about her platform, which is Being a Cancer Advocate – Speak Up! She performed a self-choreographed dance to “Walking in Memphis.”

“My experience during the pageant was really good,” Henry said. “It’s a wonderful program.”

Judges for the pageant were Scott Spinner, Eric Rathburn, Chris Keppler, Julie Pearch, Roni Peterson and Joanne St. Clair.

Click here to read the entire article and CLICK HERE for a slide show of photos that can not be saved and reposted. Miss Clayland photos in this post are from CWN Photography, Bryce Bishop and Jillian Dankso.

[Above: Former Miss Claylands Erica Gelhaus, Karissa Martin and...? Anyone know? Below: E.D. Martha Campbell with her three recent titleholders, Erica, Heather and Karissa.]

As Pam pointed out in a comment below and the column noted above, this is not only Heathers third local title, but the third time she's been crowned by Erica!