Pageant Press & Photos: Miss Ohio Sweeps

Miss Huron County and Miss Willard among six women crowned

By Dolly Ruffing - Reflector staff writer
Tuesday March 30 2010

WILLARD - Three pageant titleholders from Huron County will be competing for Miss Ohio this year, following the crowning of several women at a pair of pageants here this weekend.

Willard High School hosted the Miss Ohio Sweeps program on Saturday, with one pageant awarding three crowns and a second pageant three more. Among the six queens were Miss Willard and Huron County.

The program was open to any contestant who had previously participated in a local pageant this season.

Each contestant was interviewed by two panels of judges earlier in the day, which accounted for 25 percent of each contestant’s final score.

The contest also consisted of competitions involving swimsuits (15 percent of the final score), talent (35 percent), evening wear (20 percent) and onstage questions (5 percent).

The winners of Sweeps One, which consisted of 21 contestants, were Miss Willard Stephanie Beltz, Miss Buckeye State Whitney Fricke and Miss Ohio River Rebekah Zoz.

Beltz, 22, of St. Clairsville, attends Ohio University. Beltz played “Deux Arabesques No. 1 Debussy” on the piano. She was speechless, humble and gracious after being crowned Miss Willard.

Fricke, 22, of Archbold, sang "Can You Feel The Love Tonight” during the talent portion of the event. The St. Mary’s College student said was excited and surprised she won the Miss Buckeye State title. She is looking forward to competing at Miss Ohio again this year.

Zoz, 22, of West Chester, attends The University of Cincinnati. She sang "Journey to the Past.” She said she was ecstatic to have been chosen to be Miss Ohio River.

Winners of the Sweeps Two pageant, which consisted of 18 contestants, were Miss Huron County Elizabeth Wong, Miss Heart of Ohio Tera Coleman and Miss Mohican Valley Devon Stansbury.

Wong, 19, of Bloomfield, Conn., attends Oberlin College. Wong danced to “Gravity.” She was shocked as she had forgotten her contestant number and didn’t realize at first that she had won the title of Miss Huron County.

Coleman, 22, of Southpoint, attends The Ohio State University. Coleman, who sang “Hallelujah,” said she was beyond excited after being crowned Miss Heart of Ohio.

Stansbury, 20, of Rockford, attends The University of Cincinnati. Stansbury danced to “Almost Lover.” Her winning the title of Miss Mohican Valley seemed surreal, she said.

Each of the six titleholders received a $500 scholarship, crown from The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, sash courtesy of Jay Jesensky of Bay Village, floral bouquet from Carriage House Florist in Willard and the right to compete for the title of Miss Ohio.

That means Beltz as Miss Willard and Wong as Miss Huron County will join Miss Maple City winner Marisa Buchheit in representing Huron County at the Miss Ohio pagent in Mansfield this June.

The winner of Miss Ohio advances to the Miss America pageant.

Entertainment at Saturday’s event in Willard was provided by Miss Ohio 2009 Erica Gelhaus, Miss Ohio 2009 Outstanding Teen Veronica Wende and The Cynthia Kniffin Dance Academy of Norwalk. Food for the day was provided by The Varsity Club & Deli of Willard.

Photo credit: RefloctorCam

Miss Ohio 2010 Sweeps Winners!

Sweep II

Miss Heart Of Ohio: Tera Coleman
Miss Huron County: Elizabeth Wong
Miss Mohican Valley: Devon Stansbury

1st RU: Alicia Huyghe

Sweeps I

Miss Buckeye State: Whitney Fricke
Miss Willard: Stephanie Beltz
Miss Ohio River: Rebekah Zoz

1st RU: Tera Coleman

Note, I heard Kylie Johnson did not compete.

Thank you Timothy Russell for the photo;
keep an eye on his facebook page for more!
Miss Ohio's studly stagehand, Bryce Bishop (seen below with last years Sweeps winners) also has photos on his page.

Who are the new titleholders?

Miss Willard
Stephanie Beltz, 22
Education: Graduate of Ohio University; Master student at Columbia University / Psychology
Talent: piano
Platform: Advocacy for the Elderly
Pageant Past: 4th RU, EG & SS @ Muskingum V


Miss Heart Of Ohio
Tera Coleman, 22
Education: The Ohio State University / Pre-law (I think?)
Talent: vocal
Platform: Appalachian Ohio: Improvement Through Awareness
Pageant Past: 2nd RU & Interview @ Central; 1st RU @ Sweeps I

Miss Buckeye State
Whitney Fricke, 22
Education: St. Mary's College
Talent: vocal
Platform: Loving Yourself From The Inside Out: Educating Girls On True Beauty
Pageant Past: Miss Cuyahoga County 2009; 2nd RU @ MV/FT/AAC and competed @ Central this year

Miss Mohican Valley
Devon Stansbury, 20
Education: University of Cincinnati / Communications
Talent: Lyrical Dance
Platform: Positive Values for Positive Results Pass It On
Pageant Past: SS @ WCO; 1st RU & SS @ Miami Valley; 2nd RU & SS @ GBC; competed @ Sweeps I

Miss Huron County
Elizabeth Wong, 19
Education: Oberlin College / Pre-law
Talent: dance
Platform: Cardio On The Court: Cardiac Awareness
Pageant Past: competed in Muskingum Valley & Sweeps I

Miss Ohio River
Rebekah Zoz, 22
Education: University of Cincinnati / Communications & Public Relations
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Faces Without Places
Pageant Past: Non-finalist Talent award at Miss Ohio as Miss Greater Butler County 2009; competed in Muskingum Valley this year

Best of Luck to the 2010 Ohio Sweeps Program!

Today at the Willard High School SIX crowns will be given in the Miss Ohio Sweeps pageant. Sweeps or "Sweetheart" is a pageant for women who were previous runners-up or participants. 22 of the 69 eligible women in Ohio are competing for one last chance to get to Mansfield this summer. Because only three crowns may be given at a time, two pageants will be held in one whirlwind day. The first will take place at 4 p.m. and then the remaining 19 ladies will compete again at 7 p.m.

All of last years Sweeps winners have already secured local titles this year; they are [above left to right] Ashley Warholic, Kristy Moneysmith, Heather Wells and Courtney Monk. At Miss Ohio last year Heather made the Top 10 and Ashley won the CMN Award. The titles up for grabs this year are Miss Willard, Miss Huron County, Miss Buckeye State, Miss Heart Of Ohio, Miss Mohican Valley and Miss Ohio River. Miss Ohio Erica Gelhaus and Teen, Veronic Wende [below] will entertain.

According to the Norwalk Reflector, the two sets of judges are:

Courtney LeMaitre, Jerri Waite, Linda Crockett, Cindy Moore, Marilyn Gabbard and Scott Barnett.

Steve Albright, Sharon Wingert, Susan Moore, Arlette Davis, Gordon Jack Miller, Cindy Ebert and Deb Schaffer.

And the most important part, the contestants!

Stephanie Beltz, 22
Education: Ohio University
Talent: piano
Platform: Advocacy for the Elderly
Pageant Past: 4th RU, EG & SS @ Muskingum V


Tera Coleman, 22
Education: The Ohio State University
Talent: vocal
Platform: Appalachian Ohio: Improvement Through Awareness
Pageant Past: 2nd RU & Interview @ Central


Sherry El Sakr, 23
Education: graduate of Cleveland State University; Masters student at Case Western
Talent: vocal
Platform: Heart 101: Promoting Heart Healthy Lifestyles In Our Children
Pageant Past: 2nd RU @ Clayland; competed @ MV/FT/AAC; competed @ Vacationland; 2nd RU @ MC


Krystle Formosa, 22
Education: Kent State University
Talent: vocal
Platform: Serving Children For A Better Tomorrow
Pageant Past: Miss South Central Ohio 2008; 3rd RU & Talent @ Muskingum V this year


Whitney Fricke, 22
Education: St. Mary's College
Talent: vocal
Platform: Loving Yourself From The Inside Out: Educating Girls On True Beauty
Pageant Past: Miss Cuyahoga County 2009; 2nd RU @ MV/FT/AAC and competed @ Central this year


Nina Haaskivi, 20
Education: Bowling Green State University
Talent: vocal
Platform: Right To Life, Right To Play
Pageant Past: competed @ MC


Samantha Hartings, 18
Education: Coldwater High School
Talent: jazz dance
Platform: Child Literacy Awareness
Pageant Past: competed @ Clayland; 4th RU @ Northwestern


Danielle Henry, 20
Education: Kent State University
Talent: dance
Platform: Being A Cancer Advocate-SPEAK UP!!
Pageant Past: Community Service @ Clayland; competed @ Vacationland, Central and Muskingum V


Brandi Herceg, 21
Education: Franciscan University of Steubenville
Talent: tap dance
Platform: Love Your Heart Learn The Truth
Pageant Past: former Miss Ohio Valley; competed this year @ North Coast, LSF, MV/FT/AAC and Mansfield/NCO


Alicia Huyghe, 22
Education: Cleveland State University
Talent: tap dance
Platform: CUE: Children Understanding the Environment
Pageant Past: competed @ GC/CC; Talent at North Coast; competed @ Central; T10 @ Muskingum V


Nicole Iezzi-Blessing, 21
Education: Wright State University
Talent: vocal
Platform: Americans with Disabilities
Pageant Past: 1st RU @ Portsmouth; competed @ MV/FT/AAC; 1st RU @ GBC


Kylie Johnson, 22
Education: Muskingum University
Talent: violin
Platform: Go Green! Think Globally, Act Locally
Pageant Past: Top 10 as Miss North East Ohio 2009; 1st RU & Talent @ Muskingum V this year


Maria Minnick, 20
Education: Owens Community College
Talent: dance
Platform: Think Ability Before Disability
Pageant Past: competed @ MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, MC and Central


Sierra Moore, 19
Education: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Talent: vocal
Platform is The American Red Cross
Pageant Past: T10 @ Muskingum V


Christina Muha, 18
Education: The University Of Toledo
Talent: French Horn
Platform is Heart To Heart: Be Smart
Pageant Past: competed @ GC/CC, MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, Mansfield/NCO and MC


Jessica Nelson
Education: The University Of Toledo
Talent: dance
Platform: P.E.T.S. Promoting, Education, Training and Safety
Pageant Past: 3rd RU @ Northwestern; 1st RU @ MC; competed @ GC/CC, North Coast, LSF, MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, Mansfield/NCO, Central and Muskingum V


Emily Pheils, 20
Education: Bowling Green State University
Talent: Steel Pan Drum (yes, this is correct)
Platform: Dove Campaign For Real Beauty: Promoting a Positive Self Image in Today's Woman
Pageant Past: – Miss Bay Village 2009; 1^st RU @ MV/FT/AAC; 1^st RU @ Northwestern; competed @ Vacationland this year


Alyssa Phillips, 18
Education: Bowling Green State University
Talent: sign language interpretation
Platform is A Sign Of The Times
Pageant Past: 2nd RU @ Northwestern; 2nd RU @ Vacationland; 1st RU @ Mansfield/NCO; SS @ MC; 2nd RU & EG @ Muskingum V


Devon Stansbury, 20
Education: University of Cincinnati. Stansbury
Talent: Lyrical Dance
Platform: Positive Values for Positive Results Pass It On
Pageant Past: SS @ WCO; 1st RU & SS @ Miami Valley; 2nd RU & SS @ GBC


Macy Weatherhead, 18
Education: Hicksville High School
Talent: jazz dance
Platform: Promoting Theatre in Education
Pageant Past: competed at Northwestern Ohio


Elizabeth Wong, 19
Education: Oberlin College
Talent: dance
Platform: Cardio On The Court: Cardiac Awareness
Pageant Past: competed in Muskingum Valley


Rebekah Zoz, 22
Education: University of Cincinnati
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Faces Without Places
Pageant Past: Miss Greater Butler County 2009; competed in Muskingum Valley this year


Best of luck to everyone!!!

09 -10 Miss Ohio Local Stats

** Please scroll to the next post or click here to read my disclaimers if you don't remember
them from previous "stats posts." **

As we head into the Sweeps pageant, speculation abounds about who should receive the remaining rhinestone tickets to Miss Ohio. Message board assumptions usually make me crazy because many fans forget the basic tenet of pageants – THEY’RE SUBJECTIVE! Not only do the judges opinions vary, so do the contestants performances. A strong woman can have a weak day and someone who wasn’t on your radar can break through whatever had held her back. Nonetheless, as I sit awake at 4 in the morning (or 7 a.m. in Ohio!) I find myself breaking down the statistics of this years local pageants. I didn’t think I’d do this this year, as my time for and interest in this hobby has waned, but alas, insomnia prevails!

Quick Stats:

* 89 total women competed for 20 crowns at 15 pageants (regular season).

* 69 women were eligible to compete in Sweeps this year; rumor has it, 22 applied.

I don’t know how professional sports analyst do it, but I think a strong argument can be made that Alyssa and Devon have the strongest records this year, as they are the only uncrowned women to be somehow`awarded in each of their competitions:

Alyssa Phillips – 2nd RU @ Northwestern; 2nd RU @ Vacationland; 1st RU @ Mansfield/NCO; SS @ MC; 2nd RU & EG @ Muskingum V

Devon Stansbury – SS @ WCO; 1st RU & SS @ Miami Valley; 2nd RU & SS @ GBC

The following women also had a very successful season, placing at least twice:

Sasha Eby – competed @ Portsmouth; 2nd RU @ Mansfield/NCO; 1st RU @ Central; T10 @ Muskingum V *

Nicole Iezzi-Blessing – 1st RU @ Portsmouth; competed @ MV/FT/AAC; 1st RU @ GBC

Emily Pheils – 1st RU @ MV/FT/AAC; 1st RU @ Northwestern; competed @ Vacationland *

Sherry El Sakr – 2nd RU @ Clayland; competed @ MV/FT/AAC; competed @ Vacationland; 2nd RU @ MC

Jessica Nelson - 3rd RU @ Northwestern; 1st RU @ MC; competed @ GC/CC, North Coast, LSF, MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, Mansfield/NCO, Central and Muskingum V

I know, I know! The tricky part about pageant stats is that the level of competition is just as subjective as the outcome. I can hear you yelling at your screens and I agree, placing at some pageants means more than others, depending on the level of competition. Then there’s yet another variable; experience! These ladies didn’t compete as much this year, but all of them have been to Miss Ohio once before:

Kylie Johnson – 1st RU & Talent @ Muskingum V

Whitney Fricke – 2nd RU @ MV/FT/AAC; competed @ Central

Krystle Formosa – 3rd RU & Talent @ Muskingum V

Rebekah Zoz - competed @ Muskingum V

* Note, Sasha and Emily also competed at Miss Ohio last year.

So do I think all the titles will go to women listed above? Absolutely not! For one thing, I doubt they’ll all compete and moreover, I’m sure a couple ladies below will shine on the 27th. Someone who competed only once may surprise us and there are a couple diligent ladies who have competed their stilettos off without ever placing that I would love to see finally pull it all together! I’ve listed them first by awards and then by frequency:

Stephanie Spitnale – 1st RU & Talent @ WCO

Sharee Werling – 1st RU @ Lake Festival

Tera Coleman – 2nd RU & Interview @ Central

Grace Hirt – 2nd RU @ Lake Festival

Katie Ulrich – 2nd RU @ WCO; competed @ MV/FT/AAC; competed @ Northwestern

Irene Penzvolto - 3rd RU @ GC/CC; competed @ Central

Emily Valandingham – 3rd RU @ GBC

Kirsten Samples – 3rd RU & Onstage Q @ Lake Festival; competed @ Vacationland

Stephanie Beltz – 4th RU, EG & SS @ Muskingum V

Samantha Hartings – competed @ Clayland; 4th RU @ Northwestern

Alicia Huyghe – competed @ GC/CC; Talent at North Coast; competed @ Central; T10 @ Muskingum V

Brittany Balandis - T10 & Interview @ Muskingum V

Sierra Moore - T10 @ Muskingum V

Rebecca Ribley - T10 @ Muskingum V

Priya Sharma - competed @ MV/FT/AAC; Talent @ Vacationland; competed at Mansfield/NCO; competed @ MC

Danielle Henry – Community Service @ Clayland; competed @ Vacationland, Central & Muskingum V

Jennifer Kahlig – Committed to Excellence Award @ Lake Festival

Christina Muha - competed @ GC/CC, MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, Mansfield/NCO & MC

Brandi Herceg – competed @ North Coast, LSF, MV/FT/AAC & Mansfield/NCO

Maria Minnick - competed @ MV/FT/AAC, Vacationland, MC; & Central

Ashley Bowman – competed @ Portsmouth, Clayland & MV/FT/AAC

Kristen Piasecki - competed @ GC/CC, Portsmouth & MV/FT/AAC

Melissa Stevens - competed @ MV/FT/AAC, Mansfield/NCO & MC

Hope Smalls - competed @ Vacationland & GBC

Laura Powell – competed @ WCO & Miami Valley

Jane Covel - competed at Miami Valley & GBC

Brittany Baumann - competed @ GC/CC & Miami Valley

Brandy Ridder– competed @ Lake Festival

Kristy Schaffer– competed @ Lake Festival

Kylee Christman – competed @ Lake Festival

MarLana Ricci - competed @ Vacationland

Jenna Strickler - competed @ Muskingum V

Miranda Walker - competed @ Muskingum V

Elizabeth Wong - competed @ Muskingum V

Alison Salyers - competed @ Muskingum V

Tracie Ortman - competed @ Muskingum V

Kristin McKee - competed @ Muskingum V

Ashley Maloney - competed @ GC/CC

Christina Porter - competed @ GC/CC

Lauren Talaga - competed @ Mansfield/NCO

Mary Cousino - competed @ Mansfield/NCO

Jade Davis - competed @ Mansfield/NCO

Nina Haaskivi - competed @ MC

Christina Drake - competed @ Northwestern

Haley Piper - competed @ Northwestern

Lluvia Martinez – competed @ Northwestern

Macy Weatherhead - competed @ Northwestern

Halie Gonwick - competed @ Northwestern

Kelsey Buettner - competed @ Northwestern

Lily McCoskey - competed @ Miami Valley

Sarah Begley - competed @ Miami Valley

Kristen Liguori – competed @ GBC

Alyssa Linet – competed @ WCO

Nicole Callibari – competed @ WCO

Megan Wolery – competed @ WCO

Mindy Fetzer – competed @ WCO

Jamienne Scott – competed @ WCO

Courtney Countryman – competed @ Portsmouth

So, according to my stats (which could be slighly off and you should comment or email with corrections) 69 women are eligible for Miss Ohio Sweeps this year. This number is down from last year when I estimated 84 women could compete in Sweeps; however, this year the contestants seemed a bit more determined. 17 of the eligible ladies competed in three or more pagenats; last year there were only 12 in that category. I'm not counting them, but here's the 07 - 08 roaster if you're wondering what the overall number was then.

Stats Disclaimers!

Disclaimer I

I am not posting the entire seasons stats to embarrass anyone or provide material for criticism; I think every woman who competes should be extremely proud of herself and hopefully she grows from her experiences. Pageants are public events and therefore, just like sports they have records or stats, so to speak. Unlike sports, these stats highlight the subjectivity of pageants. Some women win on their first try, others work their stilettos off and could then end up doing better at state;some women place one weekend then not the next! It's possible a woman who places all year without winning could earn more scholarship dollars than a woman who competes at Miss Ohio. A contestant who doesn't place at the first Sweeps pageant could win a crown at the second. You just never know...

Disclaimer II

As I've said before, I am but one woman and I am my own editor.While I think all my numbers are right, math has never been my strong suit and no-shows didn't always get omitted from my lists. If any information is inaccurate or incomplete, please leave a comment so I can fix it!

Miss Greater Butler County Photos

Above: Nanciann Stronsider receives her sixth MAO local title,
Miss Greater Butler County!

I feel horrible that prior to Miss Greater Butler County, I completely forgot that this is the local that crowned our reigning Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, Veronica Wende! Veronica was on hand along with Rebeka, last years Miss, both looking beautiful. Below they're with emcee and local titleholder, Shannon O'Neill; these pictures all came from her website:

Visiting titleholders

Above: Anna Reis, Miss Portsmouth, Shannon O'Neill, Miss Lima Square Fair and Jenna Swigart, Grand Lake's Teen.

Below: outgoing Miss, Rebekah Zoz, the new Miss Greater Butler Coutny, Nanciann Strosnider, Shannon and Anna.

Queens galore!

This pageant also crowned two Little Miss', a Teen and two Mrs!

Be sure to check out the link above for more photos and even videos from the pageant!

Miss Greater Butler County Results!

Miss Greater Butler County: Nanciann Strosnider

1st RU: Nicole Iezzi Blessing

2nd RU: Devon Stansbury

3rd RU: Emily Valandingham

Talent: Nanciann Strosnider

Interview: Nanciann Strosnider

Gown: Nanciann Strosnider

Swimsuit: Devon Stansbury

Miss Greater Butler County's Outstanding Teen

Ayanna Morgan

Little Miss titles went to Alayla Million and Heather Winkler

Mrs. winners were Melissa DeCello and Karen Byrd Gibson

Thank you Shannon O'Neill for the results!

Be sure to check out her website for videos of recent TV appearances and new pictures.

Best of Luck to the Miss Greater Butler County Pageant

** UPDATED WITH CONTESTANTS **

Tomorrow night (yes, a Friday) the Miss Greater Butler County pageant will be held at 7 p.m. in Talawanda Middle school, in Oxford. The outgoing Miss GBC was one of three Non-finalist Talent Award winners at Miss Ohio 2009; Rebekah Zoz is a vocalist. She is a student at the University of Cincinnati and advocate of "Faces without Places."

The evening will also include a Miss Greater Butler County's Outstanding Teen competition and Shannon O'Neill (the reigning Miss Lima Square Fair) will serve as emcee.

Miss Greater Butler County is closed to ladies in the following counties: Butler, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Premble and Warren. They are:

Kristen Liguori

Education: Graduate Student at the University of Cincinnati / Business Administration & International Business
Talent: vocal
Platform:
Pageant Past: She's competed in a handful of locals over the past few years.

Jane Covel

Education: Cedarville Universal
Talent: Dance
Platform:
Pageant Past: She competed in Delaware.

Hope Smalls

Education: University of Dayton / History & Human Rights

Talent: Piano
Platform:
Pageant Past: 2nd RU and Interview winner at this pageant last year.



Devon Stansbury

Education: University of Cincinnati / Communications

Talent: Dance
Platform: "Positive Values for Positive Results"
Pageant Past: 1st RU at Miami Valley; Swimsuit at Miss WCO and 1st RU here last year.

Emily Valandingham

Education: Graduate of OSU / Law student at Capitol University
Talent: Jazz Dance
Platform:
Pageant Past: 3rd RU at this pageant last year.

Nanciann Strosnider

Education: Graduate of Elon University / Musical Theatre & Broadcast Journalism
Talent: vocal
Platform: Reconnecting the Missing Link
Pageant Past: She's looking for her 6th title, having placed at Miss Ohio five times: 4th RU in '05, Top 10 in '06, 4th RU in '07, Top 12 in '08, prelim Talent winner and 2nd RU in '09.

Nicole Iezzi Blessing

Education: Wright State / Pre-Med & Psychology

Talent: classical vocal

Platform: American's with Disabilities
Pageant Past: 1st RU this year at Portsmouth; former Ohio Junior Miss runner-up.

Thank you Shannon O'Neill for the list!
Hopefully she'll also post the results on Twitter.

The Letter...

This is old news, but important nonetheless. This letter from the Miss America organization to State E.D.s surfaced at the end of February. What do you make of it?

State Executive Directors:

We are extremely proud of the accomplishments that the Miss America family has achieved over recent years and the spirit of teamwork that is allowing our organization to experience even greater success. This year’s record TV ratings for the 2010 Miss America Pageant reflect a continuing growth and resurgence with our historically important organization.

Our commitment to maintain an open dialogue has never been stronger and our continued success is interdependent. Your commitment is greatly valued as we continue making this wonderful organization the very best it can be. We are sincerely committed in promoting our core values, as well as, protecting this organization from assaults on its integrity and operation.

Unfortunately, some recent events have occurred that were designed to undermine our great organization and impede the momentum we have created. We have always met and overcome such challenges and obstacles whenever they appeared, whether in a complaint letter from an angry parent or a disappointed contestant, someone intent on undermining state leadership and even deliberate attempts to discredit the national organization and circumvent the policies that regulate our program.

We have prevailed over all these and more through the years, and we have remained united. More importantly, our bond strengthened as we worked together to rebrand and rebuild our presence throughout the country. The principal seal of this bond has always been the Miss America Organization's support of, and loyalty to, the leaders of our State Organizations.

The one cornerstone of our organization that must remain infallible is the integrity of our judging system. Recent attempts to breach this basic tenet by ignoring conflicts of interest cannot be tolerated. It is paramount that everyone does their due diligence when selecting and approving judges at the local and state levels. Even though we have specific guidelines, the national office has received numerous questions relating to pageant coaches. Under no circumstance may any type of coach be a judge in the Miss America Organization - even if they coach in an unpaid capacity.

In addition, anyone openly disparaging, discrediting or detracting any state organization, its leadership or the Miss America Organization - including present and past actions, cannot be permitted to serve in any capacity. We will not support any person or organization that supports or aligns itself with persons engaged in malicious activity that undermines the integrity of the Miss America Organization system.

Nevertheless, our organization is yet again under assault and we must formally announce our position and make it clear that we will not be daunted by aggression, whether direct or subtle, that undermines anyone, let alone the whole of the Miss America State Organizations. We have deterred these attempts and will continue to do so with your support.

It has also come to our attention that a group has formed with intentions to act as a comprehensive prep team for the contestants in the Miss America Pageant system. They have initiated their presence with announcements directly to contestants and local directors, undermining current state leadership and insist the key to success exists with their guidance and counsel. We strongly state that this group is not operating with the endorsement of the Miss America Organization. The Miss America Organization cannot allow any group to interfere with the right of our states to operate, conduct and produce their annual competitions. We believe that our state organizations are the Miss America experts and strongly recommend that our states handle the coaching of our program’s contestants themselves.

Although the National Office will be represented at the 2010 Miss America Homecoming, it deeply saddens us that our officers will not attend this event due to the direct involvement by an individual who has previously attacked this organization and various members of its leadership. We feel that an appearance by this organization’s Chairman of the Board, President or any other MAO Officer would contradict our position. We remain steadfast in our resolve to protect this organization and it is in the best interest of the organization that we do not attend.

We truly depend on you for our continued success and our ability to operate as a cohesive organization. Please accept our deepest gratitude for your consistent support.

Sam Haskell, III Art McMaster

Board Chairman President & CEO

Miss Muskingum Valley: Heidi Negron







Teen: Megan Yocum




Photos from the Zanesville Times Recorder, linked below.

Congrats to the New Miss Muskingum Valley, Heidi Negron!

Miss Muskingum Valley: Heidi Negron

Education: Kent State / Fashion Merchandise & PR

Talent: vocal

Platform: "Handle with Care" Awareness in animal rescue
Pageant Past: unknown; preliminary Swimsuit winner at this pageant

1st RU: Kylie Johnson

2nd RU: Alyssa Phillips

3rd RU: Krystle Formosa

4th RU: Stephanie Beltz

Interview: Brittany Balandis

Miss Muskingum Valley Top 10!

I just heard after last night's prelims, the following women qualified to compete for the Miss Muskingum Valley crown:

Sasha Eby

Alicia Huyghe

Alyssa Phillips

Stephanie Beltz

Sierra Moore

Krystle Formosa

Brittany Balandis

Heidi Negron

Kylie Johnson

Rebecca Ribley

Friday night photos from Miss Muskingum Valley:

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BA&Dato=20100305&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=3060801&Ref=PH

*Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone*

Miss Muskingum Valley Prelim Results!

Tonight the Miss Muskingum Valley program held preliminary competition and tomorrow night a new titielholder will be crowned in Zanesville! For more check out http://missmuskingumvalley.org.
I just found out from a pageant mom that the following ladies picked up awards this evening:

Swimsuit

Heidi Negron & Stephanie Beltz

Talent

Krystle Formosa & Kylie Johnson

Evening Gown

Alyssa Phillips & Stephanie Beltz

Meet all the Miss contestants HERE!

Meet the Teens HERE.