Becky's Miss America Send-off!

"An Evening with Miss Ohio, Becky Minger" was held December 18th in Sylvania. 175 guests were welcomed by Mayor, Craig Stough; Maumee's Mayor Tim Wagener also spoke and Ohio Congresswoman Barbara Sears, Sylvania Counsilwoman Mary Westphal, Chamber President Kevin Lent, sponsors, friends, family and Miss Ohio Board members and local E.D.s were in attendance. Miss Ohio's booking manager and Board member Holly Campbell-Bradley emceed the evening, with performances by 3rd Runner-up Marisa Buccheit, 2nd Runner-up Ellen Bryan and 1st Runner-up Shannon O'Neill.

Former Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp-Albert dedicated her Miss America talent, "Blessed" to Becky, followed by Leslie Minger singing her sister Katy Perry's "Firework."

The talented siblings then entertained the audience with "Sisters" from White Christmas.

Becky closed the evening with several of her favorite holiday songs.

Usually send-offs include the modeling of some competition wardrobe peices and sometimes the performance of the competition talent selection. I have no idea if either of these things happened at Becky's send-off. Leave a comment if you know!

The evening was sponsored by Sylvania Orthodontics. Special thanks to the MOSP for sending me the events press release and these photos, most of which were taken by Miss Lake Festival's Jerry Deitsch, seen on the right.

Visiting Titleholders:

Miss All*American City Meggie Wittman, Miss Clayland Ellen Bryan, Maumee Valley's Outstanding Teen Sarah Eash, Former Miss Ohio Roberta Albert-Camp, unidentified man, Miss Ohio Becky Minger, Miss Crystal Lake Shannon O'Neill, Miss Central Ohio Sarah Hider, Miss Greater Cleveland Marisa Buccheit and Miss West Central Ohio Cayla Hellwarth

Miss Crystal Lake Shannon O'Neill, Miss Greater Cleveland Marisa Buccheit and Miss Clayland Ellen Bryan with Board member Ami Boley's daughter, Logan.

Miss West Central Ohio Cayla Hellwarth, Miss Lima Square Fair Elissa McCracken, Miss Crystal Lake Shannon O'Neill and their mothers!

Becky leaves for Las Vegas on January 3rd; festivities begin on the 6th with her first competition, the private interview taking place January 8th. On Tuesday night she will compete in preliminary Swimsuit and Evening Gown, Talent Wednesday and On-stage Question Thursday before the Finale Saturday January 15th. The pageant airs live on ABC at 8 p.m.!

In addition to Miss America preparations and platform work, Becky has been partnering with Cincinnati's The Thank You Foundation. They believe that "the words “thank you” could transcend political, religious, and ideological differences and could provide an opportunity so that every citizen could express their appreciation for those that serve. As the National Spokesman and Honorary Board Member of the Thank You Foundation, Becky appreciates every opportunity she has to serve our troops, active duty and retired, their families and especially their children."

More Miss Mansfield Photos!

Be sure to check out Timothy Russell's photos of Miss Mansfield, North Central Ohio and Teen and Ohio's Outstanding Teen on the following sites:

http://www.missmansfield.com

http://www.missnorthcentral.com

http://www.teenmissohio.com

Also, pictures from their Dial-a-Santa charity event, featuring the new Miss North Central Ohio, Heather Waterman are HERE!

VOTE FOR BECKY!

This year at the finale of Miss America one contestant will be "America's Choice!" She is determined by votes on her YouTube video; here's Miss Ohio, Becky Mingers:

You can vote for Becky four different ways:

* Go to http://missamerica.org/videocontest/, select Becky's picture and vote for her!

* Using your cell phone, text message "MAOH" to 24470. (Charges may apply.)

* If you have a YouTube account, sign in and "like" this video on YouTube.

* If you have Facebook, sign in and "like" this video at http://www.facebook.com/MissAmericaOrganization.

You may vote for one contestant per voting method; but actually... you can vote once per YouTube and Facebook account you have access to and endlessly at Miss America's website just by hopping on a different computer! It's also one text message per phone number, so ask everyone you know to text. Voting ends at 11:59 PST on January 13th.

BREAKING NEWS: Waterman Assumes Miss North Central Ohio

I received an email from a pageant official tonight confirming that Courtney Crain relinquished the title, Miss North Central Ohio, which she won last weekend at a double crown pageant in Mansfield. Crain instead accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend and plans to wed in Cancun, Mexico.

It is MY assumption that the nuptials will be happening soon, as there is no rule against engaged women competing. In fact, the woman now taking the title announced her engagement to Facebook on November 27th. Heather Waterman is a vocalist who has competed at Miss Ohio 3 times; she was 2nd Runner-up at Miss Mansfield/NCO.

Why didn't 1st Runner-up Amber Bussa take the title? Because she was Miss North Central Ohio last year... Had she been one of the top two at last weekends pageant, she would had to have been crowned Miss Mansfield. If the reigning Miss Mansfield would resign she could take that title, but she can not be Miss North Central Ohio two years in a row. If I were her I'd probably be pretty irritated, but she was one of my favorites at Miss Ohio and I have no doubt she will win another local pageant.

Just to be clear, at multi-crown pageants, one title isn't better than another. A value of highest, second highest and third highest score is not supposed to be assigned to the titles. For example, earlier this fall Shannon O'Neill was not given Miss Crystal Lake because of how her score compared to the other two winners; rather, she'd already held the other two titles so Miss Crystal Lake was the only option. Becky Minger as Miss All*American City is the exact same.

While this situation certainly is uncommon and a bit sorted, congratulations are still in order for both the new Miss North Central Ohio, Heather Waterman as well as Courtney Crain on her upcoming ceremony in Cancun!

*Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone*

Miss Mansfield, NCO and Teen Results

* Update - Courtney Crain relinquished her title a few days after the pageant. 2nd Runner-up, Heather Waterman became Miss North Central Ohio, as 1st Runner-up, Amber Bussa, held that title last year and could have only been named Miss Mansfield.

Miss Mansfield - Ashley Warholic

Miss North Central Ohio - Courtney Crain

1st RU - Amber Bussa

2nd RU - Heather Waterman

3rd RU - Katie Jackson

Interview - Ashley Warholic

Talent - Amber Bussa

Evening Gown - Ashley Warholic

Swimsuit - Amber Bussa

Congeniality - Alyssa Phillips

Miss Mansfield's Outstanding Teen - Morgan Kindred

1st RU - Brittany Adams

2nd RU - Melanie Dress

Best of Luck to the Miss Mansfield, North Central Ohio & Teen Program!

Tonight at the Mansfield High School, three local crowns will be given! The reigning Miss Mansfield is pageant veteran, Heather Wells. This vivacious dancer won a non-semifinalist Talent Award at Miss Ohio and has already secured her fourth title, Miss Maumee Valley. Her sister-titlholder, Miss North Central Ohio, Amber Bussa, was a Top 10 finalist at her second attempt at the Miss Ohio crown; she was also a favorite in my Missy Awards. Rather than giving up her title, Amber is competing tonight!

A Teen will also be crowned. The outgoing Miss Mansfield's Outstanding Teen, Chelsi Howman, has advanced to the Miss division and won Miss North Coast this fall.

Best of luck to the following contestants who will compete in this order:

McKenna Armstrong

Education: Ontario High School

Platform:

Talent:
Pageant Past:

Jessica Burdette

Education: Ontario High School

Platform:

Talent:
Pageant Past: Miss Ontario 2010 (non-MAO)

Priya Sharma

Education: Cleveland State / Health Sciences

Talent: dance

Platform: Promoting Cancer Research & Awareness

Pageant Past: 3rd RU at North Coast

Courtney Fraley
Education: Ontario High School
Talent: dance? drums?

Platform: Make Life Your Natural High

Pageant Past: 1st RU to Miss Mansfield's Outstanding Teen last year; Miss Ontario 2009 (non-MAO)

Caity Jackson
Education: Fairmont East High School

Talent: vocal ?
Platform: Cancer Prevention ?
Pageant Past: Top 5 in both 2010 and 2009 at Miss Ohio Teen USA; competed at Ohio's Outstanding Teen in 2009 at Miami Valley's Teen

Rebecca Ribley
Education: Ashland University / Theatre & Journalism
Talent: vocal

Platform: Raising Awareness of Hunger in America
Pageant Past: 3^rd RU at Miss GC/CC; competed at North Coast

Alyssa Phillips

Age: 19

Education: Bowling Green State University / Apparel Merchandising

Talent: jazz dance "My New Philosophy"

Platform: Ending Domestic Violence
Pageant Past: 1st RU recently at Miss NWO; competed at Miss MV/AAC/FT

Allison Goodwin

Education: Ohio University
Talent: lyrical dance

Platform: Prevention of Childhood Obesity

Pageant Past: competed recently at Miss MV/AAC/FT, Miss Central Ohio and Miss Clayland; 1st RU this season at Miss GC/CC

Ashleigh Jarzenski

Eduction: Ashland University / Broadcast & Political Science
Talent: dance
Platform: REACH: The Benefits of Volunteering
Pageant Past: competed at Miss GC/CC & NC

Ashley Warholic

Education: Baldwin-Wallace University / PR & Marketing

Talent: dance

Platform: FCCLA
Pageant Past: Awarded CMN Miracle-Maker, Non-Semifinalist Interview, Community Service and other awards as Miss Greater Cleveland at Miss Ohio 2010; Miss Heart of Ohio 2009

Courtney Crain

Education: Indiana Wesleyan University / Business & Health Care Administration

Talent: vocal

Platform: Preventing Child Abuse

Pageant Past: competed recently at Miss Miami Valley & Clayland; Miss Ohio International 2010

Amber Bussa

Education: Graduate of Ohio State University

Talent: vocal

Platform: Get in Gear to Volunteer
Pageant Past: 2nd RU & T at Miss Central Ohio; Top 10 at Miss Ohio 2010 as Miss North Central; Non-Semifinalist Talent as Miss Portsmouth in 09

Heather Waterman
Education: Graduate of Wright State University / Marketing
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Ready, Set, Motivate
Pageant Past: Miss Clayland 2009; Preliminary Swimsuit and Non-semifinalist Interview awards at Miss Ohio 2009 as Miss Northwestern Ohio; Miss Lake Festival 2008

Elizabeth Wong

Age: 20

Education: Oberlin College / Law & Society

Talent: dance

Platform: Cardiac Awareness

Pageant Past:

3rd RU recently at Miss NWO; competed at Miss North Coast; competed at Miss Ohio 2010 as Miss Huron County; Rhode Island's Junior Miss 2008

Teens

Brittany Abrams

Melanie Davis

Morgan Kindred

National Titleholders at Thanksgiving Day Parades!

Miss America sang in the Thanksgiving parade in Philadelphia:

Miss USA rode in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC:

Miss Ohio Applause Newsletter - Issue 4

Monday my inbox was graced with the latest addition of the Miss Ohio Applause newsletter.

It confirms that Miss Ohio will remain in Mansfield for at least the next three years. While dates for the pageant were not listed, Spring Forum is slated for April 9th and 10th, 2011.

Other new dates:

Saturday March 19th - Miss Greater Butler County

Saturday March 26th - Miss Ohio Sweeps

Like last year, Sweeps will give up to six crowns at two pageants taking place in one day; one competition will be held at 4 p.m. with the second at 7 p.m.

The newsletter always lists the current Miss Ohio board. They are: Executive Director Steven Oliveri, President Mark Schnitkey, 1st Vice President Gloria Buwala, 2nd Vice President Holly Campbell-Bradley, Secretary Sue Swinehart, Treasurer Tim O'Guinn, Kay Hall, Pat Anthony, Ami Boley, Kim Kanary, Jay Jesensky, John Kunkle and Outstanding Teen Chair Drena McCurdy.

In other news, the board has launched "The Miss Ohio Higher Education Partner Program" with the goal of securing in-kind scholarships from Ohio's many colleges and universities. If you have any contacts to help this endeavor, email jjesensky@aol.com.

Get ready to be bombarded by DSW! The newsletter states that Miss America is "presented by" the shoe store. They're also sponsoring the "DSW Show Me Your Shoe Parade." The iconic parade ended in 2005 when the pageant moved from Atlantic City to Las Vegas. This year it will be hosted by Robin Leach at the Arc de Triomphe at Paris Las Vegas on Friday January 14th, 2011. I have read elsewhere that it will not be an actual automobile and float parade; rather the contestants will walk, holding their decorated shoe.

The newsletter includes an order form for Miss America T-shirts and buttons supporting Miss Ohio Becky Minger. You must order by December 31st, or if you'd like to pick up your items at Becky's Send-off party you must order by December 6th.

Speaking of... The Miss Ohio Send-off party is Saturday December 18th from 5 - 8 p.m. at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania. The cost is $25 per person and RSVPs must be made by December 10th to Sue Swinehart at 59 N. 21st Street Newark Ohio 43055. SueS@missohio.org

Follow Miss Ohio on Twitter and Facebook

twitter.com/missohioprogram

http://www.facebook.com/missohio

CLICK HERE to see the entire newsletter and if you don't receive the newsletter, subscribe by emailing Gloria@rapidmailing.com

Former MAOTeens have set their sighs on the Miss America crown!

On November 13th Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2006, Maria DeSantis, was crowned Miss Staten Island.

She'll be the hometown favorite at what (I believe) will be her first time at the state Miss level; at the pageant the Miss New York announced that the state pageant is moving to Staten Island.

A week later the well known Meghan Miller became Miss Fort Worth, her third local Miss crown in the Miss Texas program. She, of course, was Miss America's very first Outstanding Teen in 2005 and also competed on America's Got Talent.

In Ohio former Outstanding Teen, Sarah Hider has her second local Miss crown. Veronica Wende has competed once this season and Ashley Miller competed a couple times last year.
Kelsey Ballew and Ali Nance have yet to return.

Miss Mansfield, North Central Ohio & Teen Contestants

A forum was held today for the young women who will compete Saturday, December 4th for the titles Miss Mansfield, Miss North Central Ohio and Mansfield's Outstanding Teen. A very reliable source sent me the following contestant line-up (in competition order):

Miss

McKenna Armstrong

Jessica Burdette

Priya Sharma

Courtney Fraley

Caity Jackson

Rebecca Ribley

Alyssa Phillips

Allison Goodwin

Ashliegh Jarzenski

Ashley Warholic

Courtney Crain

Amber Bussa

Heather Waterman

Elizabeth Wong

Teens

Brittany Abrams

Melanie Davis

Morgan Kindred

You can be a MISScellanea informant too! Feel free to email abbybollenbacher@yahoo.com; my sources are almost always anonymous, unless I find your information on another public site, or you agree to be named. Help me help you by sharing pageant info!

Pageant Pictures: Miss Northwestern Ohio

Miss Northwestern Ohio, Courtney Monk!

Not only is Courtney a Defiance native, she's a former Miss Northwestern Ohio "Lil Sis." Too cute! Below she rehearses with Miss contestant, Janel Frey:

Miss Ohio, Becky Minger

Caption this!

Visiting titleholder

Meggie Wittman, Miss All*American City, with outgoing Miss Northwestern Ohio Alyssa Waldman

Thank you Facebook for these pictures; specifically Bryce Bishop, Nina Ford Rivera and Curt Monk!

RESULTS: Miss Northwestern Ohio

[Left to right: Elizabeth, Alyssa, Courtney,
Chelsea and Jessica.]

Miss Northwestern Ohio - Courtney Monk

1st Runner-up - Alyssa Phillips

2nd Runner-up - Chelsea Hempfling

3rd Runner-up - Elizabeth Wong

4th Runner-up - Jessica Nelson

Interview - Courtney Monk

Talent - Courtney Monk

Miss Northwestern Ohio Lineup

Here's the official competition order for tonight:

1. Elizabeth Wong
2. Lindsey Davenport
3. Haley Piper
4. Kristen Fennig
5. Chelsea Heffling
6. Courtney Monk
7. Jessica Nelson
8. Alyssa Phillips
9. Christina Drake
10. Emily Moore

The Judges:

Kristen Carpenter, former Miss NWO and 3rd RU at Miss Ohio

Dawn Busler, has music & instrumental background

Eric Spiller, an Education Major Principle of Northeast Local Schools

Donna Dupree of Standing Ovations Dance Studio in Ft. Wayne Indiana

Kristina ????, Miss NWO 1997; also involved in Mrs. Michigan and Mrs United States pageants

Judges chair: Dr. Bob Barnett

Thank you Pageant Mom for keeping me informed! ;)

*Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone*

Best of Luck to the Miss Northwestern Ohio Program!

Tonight at the Defiance Auditorium a new Miss Northwestern Ohio will be crowned! This pageant has a rich history, including the outgoing Miss, Alyssa Waldman, who was awarded a Non-semifinalist Talent award at Miss Ohio. She is a beautiful vocalist, well on her way back to Mansfield, having won Talent recently at Miss Miami Valley and 2nd Runner-up at Clayland. [The photo on the left was taken by Ross Clark at Miss MV/AAC/FT.] Though I have not heard for certain, Miss Northwestern Ohio almost always hosts the reigning Miss Ohio as a co-emcee. In this case, Becky is also a former Miss NWO. Best of luck to everyone at the pageant, which begins tonight at 7:30.

Darlene Prince of the Crescent-News wrote a wonderful article about the ten contestants; most of the information is below, but CLICK HERE to also read about their accomplishments.

Lindsay Davenport

Age: 17
Education: Hicksville High School / plans to study Personal Training & Photography in college
Talent: vocal "Defying Gravity"
Platform: Human Trafficking / Slave Labor & Sexual Exploitation
Pageant Past: Miss Hicksville in the 2010 Hicksville Scholarship Pageant (non-MAO)

Christina-Marie Drake

Age: 20
Education: Defiance College / Media Studies
Talent: comedy skit "Hats"
Platform: Autism
Pageant Past: competed in this pageant the past two years; Teen Miss Lakeside 2006 (non-MAO)

Kirsten Fennig

Age: 17
Education: Celina High School / plans to study Education at OSU
Talent: piano / "Ballad Pour Adeline"
Platform: "No Opportunity Wasted"
Pageant Past: competed recently at Miss MV/AAC/FT; former local Teen competitor

Chelsea Hempfling

Age: 20
Education: Ohio State University / Mathmantics
Talent: lyrical dance "One-Hundred Years"
Platform: Developmentally Disabled
Pageant Past: none found; please email photo to abbybollenbacher@yahoo.com

Courtney Monk

Age: 20
Education: Anderson University / Music Education
Talent: vocal "Astonishing"
Platform: Fine Arts in Education
Pageant Past: competed at Miss Ohio in 2009 and 2010 as Miss Buckeye State and Miss Fallen Timber

Emily Moore

Age: 20
Education: Bowling Green State University / Tourism & Event Planning
Talent: vocal "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Platform: Self-esteem in Teenage Girls
Pageant Past: Miss Montpelier 2007 (non MAO); please email photo to abbybollenbacher@yahoo.com

Jessica Nelson

Age: 20
Education: University of Toledo / Biology & Pre-Vet
Talent: lyrical ballet en-point "Alice"
Platform: P.E.T.S.
Pageant Past: competed recently at Miss MV/AAC/FT, 2nd RU at Miss GC/CC and 4th RU at North Coast; RU at a couple locals last year

Haley Piper
Age: 21

Education: University of Toledo / Art Education

Talent: lyrical dance "Halo"

Platform: St. Jude Children Research Hospital
Pageant Past: competed at this pageant last year

Alyssa Phillips

Age: 19

Education: Bowling Green State University / Apparel Merchandising

Talent: jazz dance "My New Philosophy"

Platform: Ending Domestic Violence
Pageant Past: competed recently at Miss MV/AAC/FT and was a RU at a few locals last year

Elizabeth Wong

Age: 20

Education: Oberlin College / Law & Society

Talent: dance "Feelin' Good"

Platform: Cardiac Awareness
Pageant Past: competed this season at Miss North Coast and at Miss Ohio 2010 as Miss Huron County; Rhode Island's Junior Miss 2008

As always, email me with corrections and new headshots.