Miss Central Ohio Photos!

My apologies! I was with limited internet last week while judging a National Forensics tournament and when blogging gets “out of my system” it’s slow to come back… As a result, the Miss Central Ohio pageant did not get the attention I usually give to locals. Allow me to atone for that…


Last Saturday Jodi Green gave up her title, Miss Central Ohio. Jodi holds degrees from Ohio State and Mt. Vernon Nazarene Universities in Early Childhood Education. She worked extremely hard to make it to Miss Ohio, for which she advocated "Together We Can Save a Life" - The Importance of Blood Donation. Jodi is a singer who has unfortunately aged-out. On Saturday Jodi crowned Kasey Wilson the new Miss Central Ohio. In a fun twist, I’m pretty sure they were roommates at Miss Ohio! [Above: Jodi and Kasey at Miss Ohio; photo from Jodi's Facebook account.]

This is Kasey’s third crown, having made the Top 10 the past two years as Miss Licking County and Miss Clayland; she was also in the Top 15 in September at Miss Ohio USA. Kasey is a classical vocalist studying Voice and Theatre at Ohio State. Her pageant platform is MADD- Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. She pretty much swept the Miss Central Ohio pageant winning the Outstanding Interview, Talent and Evening Gown awards.

[The above photo of Kasey is a Miss Central Ohio tradition; below left to right: Miss Ohio Melanie Murphy, 1st RU Katie Camp, Miss Central Ohio '07 Kasey Wilson, 2nd RU Jenna Wilson, 3rd RU Megan Wombacker and Miss Central '06 Jodi Green]

The very determined Katie Camp was named First Runner-up and also won Swimsuit. [Though blurry, I love the reaction shot on the left, copied from Katie’s Facebook.] Katie studies Dance at Wright State University; she performed a tap routine to “Sandman.” Katie’s platform is Promoting the Arts.




The amazing Jenna Wilson was named Second Runner-up; granted, I’m biased! Jenna and I were roommates at Miss Ohio this past year as she represented Miss Southeastern Ohio. She is a Music major at Ohio University and she is a vocalist who works tirelessly with the March of Dimes. CLICK HERE to learn more about Jenna. [On the right, Jenna and I after she won Miss SEO.]




Megan Wombacker was named Third Runner-up. Originally from Pennsylvania, she is a dancer studying Accounting and Marketing at Kent State University. Megan's platform is "Eye Care, You Care, We Care;" CLICK HERE for her website. [On the left she poses after the pageant with Miss Ohio 2005 Marlia Fontaine.]






The very deserving Amy Allen was given the Spirit Award. She is vocalist pursuing her Master in Business at Mt. Vernon Nazeren. For her platform Amy works with Habitat for Humanity. [On the right, Amy and Miss Ohio 2006 Melanie Murphy.]

Below are some more great pictures I found on Facebook, where a lot of photo "sharing" goes on. I snagged these from Jodi Green, Amy Allen, Brandi Herceg, Katie Camp and Courtney Wallace, but I can't be sure from whom they originated. If it matters to you, leave a comment to give photo credit and CLICK TO ENLARGE EACH.










[Above left: the contestants pose with Jodi and Melanie; Right: Jodi crowns Kasey.]

[Above Left: Melanie, Kasey and Jodi with the Wise's; Right: Alyssa Hanson and Brandi Herceg.]















[Above Left: Kristen Liquori and Jackie Adams; Above right: Wow! Carissa Cook, former Miss Ohio Valley, looking fabulous in a new gown!]

[Above Left: Katie Camp, Heather Lindsay, Courtney Wallace, Alyssa Hanson, Brandi Herceg and Kristen Liguori; Right: Jackie Adams, Amy Allen, Krystle Formosa, Carissa Cook, Kasey Wilson and Megan Wombacker.]

Pageant Press: Granville woman crowned Miss Central Ohio

Granville woman crowned Miss Central Ohio

By L.B. WHYDE, Advocate Reporter
Originally published March 13, 2007

NEWARK -- Starting when she was 17 years old, Kasey Wilson has participated in scholarship pageants and earned two titles and two trips to the big show -- the Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant. Now at age 20, Wilson has another chance at the title. She was crowned Miss Central Ohio on Saturday.... "I am really excited (about Miss Central Ohio), because this is the program I wanted," Wilson said. "The people behind this organization are so supportive. I am especially excited about going back to Miss Ohio with them." The woman behind the local program is Kathy Wise. "This is a growing experience for these women, and the opportunities are amazing through Miss Ohio," Wise said. "We look forward to working with Kasey."

CLICK HERE to read the entire article.

More Miss Ohio News!

Each year everyone wonders whether or not a “sweeps” or “sweetheart” pageant will be held. Today it was announced that the answer is yes!

The pageant will be held on Sunday, April 15 at the Broadway Street Theatre in Medina at 5 p.m. Only contestants who have previously competed in a local pageant this season are eligible; the application deadline is April 3.

The Miss Ohio website states that two crowns will be given out, but only one title, Miss Buckeye State, is currently listed. Perhaps the other will be Miss Medina.? Last year Miss Buckeye State Allie Krucek [above right] and Miss Circleville Heather Strickland [above left] won this pageant. [Photos above from Courtney Wallace’s Facebook album.]

The first twenty applicants to submit their Contestant Application, 06/07 Local Contestant Contract, Resume per MAO guidelines, Platform Sheet per MAO guidelines, 2 talent CDs and 1 4 x 6 headshot to MOSP SWEEPS Program P.O. Box 1818 Mansfield, Ohio 44901 will be accepted.

Notably, in recent years, the winners of this “last-chance” pageant have done very well at Miss Ohio. In 2002 Tiffany Haas won Miss Ohio as Miss Heart of it All. The Miss Buckeye state title has done especially well; in 2006 Allie Krucek was named Second Runner-up, in 2005 and 2004 Melanie Murphy and Jillian Dansko made the Top 10, respectively, all as Miss Buckeye State.

“Sweeps” is a term reserved for the very last pageant of the season. It is often limited to only women who have placed at previous pageants. Nationally, the "Sweetheart Pageant" refers to a program held by the Hoopeston, Illinois Jaycees, exclusively for the runner-up to the state crowns. While the national Sweetheart pageant does not lead to anything, it offers invaluable experience; about two-thirds of the states participate and Sweetheart contestants often go on to win their state crown and do very well at Miss America. A recent example is Amanda Beagle who placed in the Top 10 at the national Sweetheart pageant and became Miss Ohio 2004 the following year.

According to my records, the following women are eligible this year for Ohio's Sweeps pageant, as listed by the locals they competed in:

Miss Lake Festival
Beth Giere, Sarah Stalder, Lisa Canary, Jessica Bettinger, Tina Hogan,Heather Waterman, Katie Westgerdes, Jessica Rosengarten, Alicia Sneddon, Jodi Moorman, Bridgette Hart, Kaela Gardner, Gwen Scott

Miss Greater Cleveland
Suzanne Bures, Allison Bencar, Ashley Hartman, Catherine Hauser, Ashley Brown, Amy Allen, Allison Sundstrum, Janelle Zindroski, Dana Raponi, Brianna Savoca, Laura Pennington, Jennifer Nageotta, Krystle Formosa, Monica Porostosky

Miss Ohio Valley
Tacy Kirk, Brandi Herceg, Jessica Rush, Sarah Mayher, Kelsey Hitchcock, Aubrey Bodo, Amy Colantoni, Ashley Pesta

Miss West Central Ohio
Amanda Sampson, Kristy Moneysmith, Marisa Minor, Jenelle Fleagle, Ashley Rodabaugh, Grace Caudill, Joy Fleagle, Candace Bryan, Kelly Haeh

Miss North Coast
Janelle Zindroski, Amy Allen, Jennifer Nageotte, Heather Strickland, Allison Bencar, Nicole Buszinski, Ashley Brown, Ashley Hartman, Katie Camp, Jaclyn Hodos, Rachel Maris

Miss Miami Valley
Amee Everman, Ashley Brown, Samantha Maxwell, Amy Allen, Mellissa Marksberry, Ashley Hartman, Nicole Budzinski, Allison Bencar

Miss Clayland
Brittany Zion, Rose Kovach, Brianna Savoca, Katie Camp, Allison Bencar, Brandi Herceg, Amanda Hahn, Amy Allen, Ashley Hartman, Kara Neike

Miss Mansfield
Alyssa Speicher, Amy Allen, Ashley Hartman, Amanda Hahn, Katie Camp

Miss Maumee Valley/Miss All*American City
Alyssa Speicher, Brandi Herceg, Amy Allen, Rachel Maris, Janelle Zindroski, Heather Waterman, Mellissa Marksberry, Jamie Burns, Brianna Savoca

Miss Northwestern Ohio
Mellissa Marksberry, Abigail Goldsmith, Brandy Willoughby, Heather Waterman, Tiffany Westfall, Samantha Pixler, Janelle Zindroski, Hanna Hauman, Rachel Maris, Danielle Bash, Jamie Burns, Cassandra Fruchey

Miss Lake Erie
Alyssa Spiecher, Amy Allen, Megan Wombacker, Brianna Savoca, Katie Camp, Angela Speece, Krystle Formosa, Brandi Herceg, Ashley Hartman

Miss Portsmouth/ Miss Scioto Valley
Ashley Hartman, Cassie Ann Rice, Mellissa Marksberry, Elizabeth Ann Miller, Katie Camp, Amy Allen, Ashley Brown, Holly Sue Harris, Morgan Brooke Allard, Nicole Reidel

Miss Maple City
Rachel Maris, Jackie Adams, Janelle Zindroski, Amy Allen, Jami Kinton, Amanda Culp, Kristen Liguori, Ashley Hartman, Brooke Waddles, Heater Waterman, Katie Camp, Jennifer Nageotte, Angela Fungovits, Alyssa Speicher

Miss Stark County
Amanda Culp, Ashley Hartman, Rachel Maris, Kimberly Cicerchi, Amy Allen, Noelle Lelakus, Krystle Formosa, Jami Kinton, Lauren Shatlock, Alyssa Speicher, Jennifer Nageotte

Miss Greater Dayton
Kristen Liguori, Dashae Johnson, Heather Lindsay, Alyssa Hanson, Katie Camp, Amy Allen, Amanda Culp, Heather Wells, Kyrsten Chambers

Miss Central
Kristen Liguori, Brandi Herceg, Alyssa Hanson, Courtney Wallace, Heather Lindsay, Katie Camp, Jenna Wilson, Jacquelyn Adams, Amy Allen, Krystle Formosa, Carissa Cook, Megan Wombacker

Miss Hamilton- will take place March 31.

Breaking Miss Ohio News: THE MISS OHIO SCHOLARSHIP RETURNS TO STATEWIDE COVERAGE

A very exciting press release was sent out today stating that Miss Ohio will once again return to the television airwaves across the state! When I competed it was on a local Mansfiled channel only, and last year they covered only the final night. The new deal puts it on the Ohio News Network, a state-wide cable news channel. This still doesn't help folks like my parents and grandparents without cable, but then again, Miss America's not on network TV anymore either... Nonetheless, it's an wonderful step in the right direction for our state program. Read more below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

THE MISS OHIO SCHOLARSHIP RETURNS TO STATEWIDE COVERAGE

Mansfield, Ohio – Steven Oliveri, President of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program (MOSP) Board of Trustees, and the Miss Ohio Program announced today that they have signed a contract with the Ohio Media Group, Inc (OMGI). The production company, OMGI under the direction of Larry Mitchell and Jeff Baumgartner are happy to be part of such a wonderful program.

With the signing of this contract the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program will return to a statewide broadcast format on the Ohio News Network (ONN). The pageant will have un-televised preliminaries on June 12, 13 and 14 and conclude with the finals and crowning of Miss Ohio 2007 being broadcast statewide from the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, Ohio on Saturday, June 16.

Steven Oliveri, Miss Ohio Board President stated, “We are delighted to go back to a statewide broadcast and feel this will open many doors for such a worthy scholarship program. We are also very excited with the growing relationship between the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, the Ohio News Network and Ohio Media Group, Inc.”

Through an affiliation with OMGI, Buckeye Media Services has also been contracted to assist with Marketing, Advertising, and the new interactive website elements. “We’re honored to be involved with Miss Ohio and look forward to building a stronger presence for the program throughout Ohio” states James Minter, owner of Buckeye Media Services. Anyone interested in receiving general advertising or sponsorship information can contact James Minter at 614- 430-0267x101 or james@buckeyemedia.com

The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and an affiliate of the Miss America Organization. The program provides young women the opportunity to earn scholarship awards and participate in activities designed to enhance their personal development.This year's scholarships available at the local, state, and national levels are valued at more than 45 million dollars. Miss Ohio Week 2007 will kick off on Friday, June 8 with the Miss Ohio Festival.

For more information, please contact Holly Campbell-Bradley, Media Relations Coordinator for the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at 937-603-7726 or the Miss Ohio Office at 419-522-6677. Additional information about individual contestants and other relevant information concerning the Miss Ohio Scholarship program can be found on the Miss Ohio web site at http://www.missohio.org.

Note, for the past five years, when I was a contestant, Larry Mitchell was involved in video and running the teleprompter for the production, under the company Mavrick Productions. Also, former Executive Director of the program, John Kunkel was the Executive Producer of the show. This press release does not make clear if Kunkle will continue as the producer, or if OMGI is in conjunction with, or a replacement of Mavrick.

Congratulations to the New Miss Central Ohio, Kasey Wilson!

Having internet didn't quite work out while I was in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with the Forensics team. (Which, by the way, has no mount and is not at all pleasant.) Anyway....

Congratulations to Kasey Wilson, the new Miss Central Ohio!

Additional results were:

1st Runner-up: Katie Camp
2nd Runner-up: Jenna Wilson
3rd Runner-up: Megan Wombacker

Interview: Kasey Wilson
Talent: Kasey Wilson
Evening Gown: Kasey Wilson
Swimsuit: Katie Camp
Spirit Award: Amy Allen

Check out AMY'S BLOG and ROBERTA'S BLOG for photos and a contestant list.

PKD Bound!

Three years ago I had one of the most amazing and influential experiences of my life at the Pi Kappa Delta National Forensics Conference Tournament. Only myself and two teammates attended, with the hopes of learning from the 80 other schools from around the country. As it turned out, we walked away with three National Championships, one of which I earned. For a time I used this anecdote as my pageant interview introduction because of the confidence it instilled in me.

This morning I’m leaving for this tournament as a coach and judge for our current team. A fellow alumni coach/judge and I have also been working like crazy to establish a PKD Alumni Chapter for BGSU. This weekend on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant Michigan we’ll be attending meetings, promoting our candidate for national student council, judging and supporting our team. While I doubt Mount Pleasant will be as appealing as St. Louis was (our first year) and hopefully not as absolutely horrifying of a tourist trap as Gatlinburg was last year, it is nice that it’s only a couple hours away.

I’m told there is free internet access at the hotel, so hopefully my laptop will cooperate and I can blog about this weekend’s Miss Central Ohio pageant.

I’m a Pirate, That Cares!

Pirates of the Competition

Last Saturday I started my day bright and early judging a Forensics tournament hosted by my alma mater, BGSU. My longtime readers know that Forensics is the speech competition thing I did that’s normally very formal and prestigious with business suits and trophies. To mix it up, near the end of the competition season some schools stop taking themselves so seriously and host a “theme tournament.” Last year BG did the possibly offensive “Redneck Round-up.” CLICK HERE for the Redneck blog entry and HERE for pictures.

This year, we hosted “Pirates of the Competition!” Aaarrr!

[Above, I'm with the Sarahs at the ballot table; below I'm in the tab room with Michelle, Amanda and Lew. CLICK HERE for the pre-tournament photo shoot, which I unfortunately could not attend.]

Sadly, I could only judge two rounds of competition because work beckoned. I changed out of my pirate garb, into the dress I wore for interview at Miss Ohio USA and sped up I-75 to Monroe Michigan.

The We Care Telethon

From Monroe County Community College FOX Toledo was broadcasting the St. Michael’s We Care Telethon. We Care provides financial assistance to Monroe County residents with severe medical situations. This was a circumstance in which I could not have been successful without my Forensics and pageant background; I knew little about We Care, was given no cue cards and was in the phone room with fifteen solid on-air minutes to fill at a time! Just like the popular PBS telethons, this one featured entertainment for fifteen minutes, then the phone room for fifteen minutes. FOX Toledo’s chief meteorologist, Mike Morrison, and I were on every-other fifteen minutes for five hours and let me tell you, when I was done I was SO exhausted! CLICK HERE for more.

Monroe County’s Outstanding Teen, Jordan Miller, was on hand to help us with the tally board and when Mike and I were done, Melissa Cousino, Miss Monroe County and two members of the MMC board took over as phone room hosts.

The telethon was on two Michigan cable channels and the internet for its twelve hour duration and on FOX Toledo from 5 to 7 p.m. Melissa also performed her talent (a tap to “All The Jazz”) and chatted about Miss Michigan and her platform (The Make-a-Wish Foundation) during the FOX Toledo time, thus, reaching the maximum viewership. Cousino is a popular last name in the Toledo/southern Michigan area; but Melissa is not related to Ohio’s Miss Mansfield Emily Cousino, who is from the same area.

It was a pleasure meeting Melissa and Jordan, but I have to admit, I was so jealous! Opportunities and exposure like that are what I dreamed of when I was a titleholder! But, they’re just not as easy to come by as some people may expect. Most of the appearances I do as the Face of FOX Toledo are things a titleholder could/should do. Along the way I’m telling the organizations I work with about Miss Maumee Valley, Miss All-American City and Miss Northwestern Ohio so maybe they too could build a “Celebrity Pot” at the Toledo Home and Garden show next year or be a “Celebrity Artist” at the American Diabetes Association Art Gala… etc…

Now that I am no longer a titleholder, it is frustrating to see these things I wish I would have done when I was one… The point is, first, I hope all the current ladies who read this push themselves to find these opportunities and second, congratulations to Melissa and Jordan for representing themselves and the Miss America Organization with such grace!

A Substance Abuse Problem…

Last night I gave Fuzzy catnip for the first time in probably a year. This morning, I woke up to him on the counter, where he is NOT allowed. Believe it or not, the lid was put on tight! Maybe I should send him to rehab with Brit!



I have to admit, he’s my spoiled brat because the things he does wrong are just so cute, I tend to photograph first and discipline second.
[Click to enlarge photos below.]

Blog Therapy

Miss Ohio 1992 Renee Brown published a blog for a while. Upon recently shutting it down she mentioned it was largely therapeutic for her. How true! When I’m stressed, and should be doing more productive things, is often when I blog. Looking at my webcounter rise certainly helps the self-esteem as well! Where did I read Renee’s blog epitaph? On an anonymous pageant message board. A place where, as I have mentioned before, the nastiest of the nasty comments have come out. But never are they this bad:

Abby
I just want to let you know that the little skit u do for ARBYS..SUCKS..for one do you think ur black pants could be any tighter..it looks like someone had painted them on you..and your Wairing blue eye shadow..and red lip stick..can you say 1970..and the belt..yuck..and lets not forget the red blush..i have no idea.Who dose your make up or picks your cloths..but they need help BAD..its funny when were all sittin down at a place for dinner..and the servers..and coustmers..always have something to say about you and your so call fashion..we though leah was bad.but you cut the cake..IM just being honest with you..ohh and lets not forget the blue shrit...HAHAHA...tacky. ABBY..learn how to pick the right colors..and cloths..and with you skin tone. u need to wair light earth tones..not BLUE.AND RED..that makes u look like a hooker..but what can i say..YOUR working for foxtoledo.and half the people there could use help..i know im proubly the only one saying anything about this and u have not receved, any emails.thats because i guess im the only one who has the balls to say..YOU SUCK..and you really need a fashion lesson ..cant wait to see what the people of fox toledo pick for next year..seeing that the last 2 people were homely or just dont know style from a whole n the ground..]
thanks
Bry

I received the above at my FOX email. Though I’ve felt the rejection of pageants and theatre for years, and clearly this person is an idiot (me in earth tones? hahaha!) but this still stings. I know I should not respond to him, but while I mull over it, it’s therapeutic just to post it here!

Miss Greater Dayton Photos!

PSK Innovations

Becky's Blog

Congratulations to the New Miss Greater Dayton, Jillian Dansko!

This afternoon Jillian Dansko was crowned the new Miss Greater Dayton! Jillian is a Communications major at John Carroll University; she performed a tap dance to "Drums" and promotes artistic involvement for the disabled. Jillian exemplifies the perseverance which is necessary for success with her extensive pageant resume. After competing in many preliminary pageants she won the last pageant of the season, Miss Buckeye State, back in 2004. With her first title she was named to the Top 10 at Miss Ohio, after which she went back to a lot of competing, finally winning one of the very first pageants of the 05/06 pageant season, Miss North Coast. Thus, Miss Greater Dayton will be her third attempt at the Miss Ohio crown.

Tonight Jillian also won the Outstanding Interview and Swimsuit awards. [Above, Becky Minger crowns Jillian; photo by PSK Innovations.]




First Runner-up, Alyssa Hanson, a student at Oakwood High School, is new to the Miss Ohio pageants. Her platform is "Embracing Identity Through Personal Achievement" and she sang “Reflection."






Katie Camp was named Second Runner-up; she also won the Outstanding Evening Gown and Talent awards, appropriately considering she is a dance major at Wright State University. Katie performed a tap dance to "Sandman" and promotes the arts as her platform. Katie has no doubt raked in the money by often being a runner-up, but is still in search of a crown!




Amy Allen was named Third Runner-up. She is a graduate student at Mt. Vernon Nazarene College pursuing a Master of Business Administration. Amy sang "I'll Forget You," and works with Habitat for Humanity. She often wins Spirit Awards and I’m so excited some judges have finally opened their eyes to what the rest of us have been seeing!





Kyrsten Chamber was named Fourth Runner-up; Kyrsten studies Political Science and Communications at Miami University of Ohio. She is quite devoted to her platform, Youth Literature and performed a Tahitian dance. She is looking for her second crown, having been Miss West Central Ohio.




Congrats to all! Sorry this blog was a bit delayed… I don’t work too quickly while watching the Academy Awards! So far it seems off-the-shoulder cap sleeves or asymmetric single straps on the gowns is the “it” look, as well as silvers, red and black. Also, I’m so disappointed that Jennifer Hudson just won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar… Dreamgirls was good, but not that good!

On a completely different note than the pageant or the Oscars, today is Hanz’ four month birthday (that’s seventeen and a half weeks in annoying “mommy speak”)!

In the top photo Hanz was only seven and a half weeks old. The bottom photo, taken moments ago, was completely staged for comparison purposed, as the puppy is NOT allowed on the couch… Well, it wasn't completely staged, Loren was actually sleeping! :)

Best of Luck to the Miss Greater Dayton Program!

This afternoon, at 4 p.m. in the Engineer's Club of Dayton Auditorium the fabulous Becky Minger will crown a new Miss Greater Dayton! In her first attempt at Miss Ohio, Becky won a preliminary Swimsuit award and was named First Runner-up; she'll try again this June as Miss Northwestern Ohio. She is a vocalist who attends Bowling Green State University (Go Falcons!); her platform deals with building self-esteem in youth, click here to check out her blog for great appearance photos.

One of ten ladies will have high stilettos to fill, as the past three Miss Greater Dayton’s have been in the Top 10! Thank you (and good luck) to the awesome Amy Allen for sharing the following contestant list:

1. Kristen Liguori
2. Dashae Johnson
3 Heather Lindsay
4. Alyssa Hanson
5. Jillian Dansko
6. Katie Camp
7. Amy Allen
8. Amanda Culp
9. Heather Wells
10.Kyrsten Chambers

Tickets are a steep $15; click here for more information.

Best of luck to all the contestants!

My Take on American Idol...

I got it really wrong! I didn't pick one of the four who went home tonight!
I work for a local FOX affiliate, I agreed almost entirely with Simon this past Tuesday and Wednesday... but I guess that means nothing! HA!

CLICK HERE

Also, I plan to put my critique on my FOX blog after each show and want to come up with a cute, catchy title…
Abby on Idol, Abby’s American Idol Insight, etc..
please help me with some other ideas!

Meet Miss Ohio USA, Anna Melomud

One of the biggest differences between Miss Ohio and Miss Ohio USA is local preliminary pageants. To get to Miss Ohio you must first win a local crown; to compete in Miss Ohio USA, on the other hand, you must simply apply, be accepted and pay. Since Miss Ohio USA is only three days long, has over 80 contestants and there are no prelims to get there… you don’t exactly get to know many of your fellow competitors, nor does the audience.

But, with Miss USA about a month away, the official website has published interviews with each state contestant, so we can finally get to know Miss Ohio USA, Anna Melomud. Click here or read below:

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I went parasailing while on a family vacation in the Dominican Republic. I am extremely afraid of heights, so it was incredibly exhilarating, and to my own surprise not a bit scary!

Please list any schools and universities you have attended or are attending. What was your area of study? What year did you finish at the school? What degree or certificate, if any, did you receive?.
High School: Richmond Heights High School; Year Completed: 2002 College: Kent State University; Area of Study: Biological Sciences, Pre-Medicine; Year Completed: 2007; Degree: Bachelor of Sciences in Biology, Pre-Medicine

Please list any honors/awards you have received in the past 2 years?
Kent State University Dean's List

Are you currently employed? If so, what is your current occupation?I am currently a full-time student at Kent State Universtiy.

What are your strongest talents?
I believe my strongest talent is my ability to focus. When I am faced with a task, I give my all to make sure I do my best. Surely, this talent comes in handy when staying up late studying for exams!

Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to being a State Titleholder) that makes you especially proud.
One accomplishment that I am extremely proud of is applying to medical schools. I put a lot of hard work and dedication towards preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The process was grueling and nerve-racking but very well worth it.

List your hobbies and favorite activities.

Organic, Chemistry, Spending time with my new nephew, Working out, especially Pilates, Cooking, Watching medical shows, Playing with my dog, Meeting new people, Traveling, Reading, Learning about anything medically related

What is the most important thing you want the judges to know about you?
I was born in Ukraine and my family moved to the United States when I was ten years old. I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools where I plan on earning a Doctor of Osteopathy degree and practicing Family Medicine in the future. I am fluent in Russian, which has allowed me to help many doctors with the doctor-patient language barrier that is encountered in medical settings. I also consider myself a bookworm since Organic Chemistry is one of my favorite subjects.

Musical Miss’

Miss America 2002, Katie Harman is truly a Ms. with musical talent. After a few years of dormancy, she has updated her website in conjunction with the release of a new CD. The new site is full of gorgeous new photos and you can listen to all the songs in their entirety. Check it out!

www.katieharman.com

In other news, Miss USA Tara Conner is a musical miss (pun intended), as an “exclusive” article from the New York Post claims she’s headed to Broadway. Columnist Michael Riedel writes:

Tara Conner, whose cocaine snorting and boozing nearly cost her the crown, has secretly been rehearsing to star as Roxie Hart in the hit Broadway musical "Chicago."

CLICK HERE for the entire February 16th article.

Hilarious!

What made me laugh even harder was when anonymous contributors on both Miss America and Miss USA fan message boards discussed the article, assuming it to be true. It’s a very well crafted joke, people! A joke I made right here on this blog back on December 19. Allow me to be a huge narcissist for a moment and quote myself:

Much like the character I performed as for my Miss Ohio talent, Roxie Hart from the musical Chicago, Conner said she got caught up in the whirlwind of big city life, but does not think she is an alcoholic.

Grease may have become a reality show but if the talents of the amazing Bebe Neuwirth are replaced by the likes of Tara Conner I’ll be headed straight to NASA to take my rightful place as an astronaut!

Did The Polls Get It Right?

For a second year in a row, the polls did not get it right. In fact, the polls didn’t do well at all! While Miss Oklahoma made both Top 10 lists, overall they each only got 40% of the Top 10 right. The polls are at the I Love Miss America homepage and Turn for the Judges; the results are as follows:

O . ILMAal .. ....Official........ .TFTJ .....
Poll ......... Results ........PPoll

#1. MS........#1. OK........#1. GA
#2. TX........#2. TX........#2. AR

#3. OK........#3. GA........#3. TX

#4. GA........#4. MS........#4. CO

#5. MI........#5. AL........#5. TN

#6. TN........n/a CA........#6. MS

#7. CO........n/a HI........#7. OK

#8. MO........n/a PA........#8. MS

#9. CT........n/a UT........#9. FL

#10. AR.......n/a WA........#10. VI

CMT also sponsored a contest in which you could win one million dollars if you selected the correct Top 10, Top 5 and Top 3 (in order). Neither a winner or results for this poll of sorts have been released. Fan message boards speculate that there was not a winner. Further, many feel certain states we put in the Top 10 to ensure there would be no one million dollar winner. As a contestant, I never allowed myself to “buy into” such conspiracy theories, however, with the fan polls down from last year’s 60% accuracy to this year’s 40%, I imagine many, like me, we disappointed and confused by the Top 10.

In another CMT Poll, Miss Missouri, Sarah French won the Best Smile award. Also, the Miss America contestants voted for Miss Congeniality while they filmed the show "Pageant School" early in the fall. The top three vote-getters were announced to the public, who then got to select the winner. Miss Congeniality went to Miss Alabama, Melinda Toole. While I appreciate encouraging audience involvement, I really feel that Miss Congeniality should be completely selected by the contestants.

In searching for other polls I found Is it time to scrap Miss America? and Do you watch the Miss America pageant? The results thus far are pretty disconcerting, so please, click and vote favorably.

News from Miss America: McMaster Named President and CEO

February 13, 2007 - Atlantic City, NJ -
The Miss America Organization's Chairman of the Board, Sam Haskell, III announced today that Art McMaster has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Miss America Organization...

CLICK HERE to read this not-so surprising Press Release, as McMaster has clearly been in charge for some time.

Winter Finally Found Northwestern Ohio!

They're calling for the "Valentines Blizzard..." but we'll see!
Here are some of my favorite backyard snow pictures from recent weeks.

[Click each photo to enlarge.]

[Above: male cardinal, left; female, right. Sadly of the five pairs who inhabit my backyard; none of the males and females can share the feeder at the same time!]

[Above: a Carolina chickadee hangs from my suet pack, left; on the right is one of my favorite birds because they’re just too cute, a snow bunting, aka snow bird, aka junco.]

[Above: house finches enjoy the seed while Hanz asks “Why are you taking my picture, it’s cold, woman! Open the door!”]

Random thoughts on a Sunday night...

First, family is the best! I'm so happy that my parents and niece drove up to visit Loren and I today... but I'm not fooled... they just wanted to see how much the puppy has grown!

Second, in a stroke of luck we caught a Miss America rerun on CMT (the folks don't have cable and couldn't come up and watch it live with me this year, as they both had to work the next morning). Like me, they loved Miss Mississippi from the beginning and my mom was in shock when she didn't make the Top 3. However, my parents felt our new Miss America, Lauren Nelson was the second best of an overall weak Top 10.

Third, in contests of other types, I was extremely elated and disappointed in a matter of moments (I'm a channel flipper!). I was overjoyed when the Grammy's awarded the talent and politics of the Dixie Chicks, as the amazing song "Not Ready to Make Nice" won Best Song of the Year. (And yay, they just won Record of the Year as I type... although they need to enroll in acceptance speech 101.) Sadly, on Beauty and the Geek, (a show which encourages “geeks” to develop self confidence and “beauties” to become less shallow and rely on more than just their looks), the most self-absorbed annoying female contestant, Cecile, has advanced to the final episode. I have no doubt such reality shows are manipulated by producers, so I’m sure she won’t win, as to not disprove the learning aspect of the show; nonetheless, it’s always frustrating to watch such people succeed.

Forensics Photos: CFA and Novice States

The coaching staff who traveled to CFA Nationals in Montreal.
[L-R: Jeff, Paul, me, Anna and Tony]

The team, out and about, in freezing cold Montreal!
[L-R: Amanda, Mike, J*Cole, Lew, Michelle, me, Anna, Kenny and Kayla]

Here I am judging at the Novice State Tournament, hosted by BGSU… probably writing something mean!

Our Novice team last weekend after the State Tournament.
[Standing L-R: Mike, Alex, MJ, Greg and Paul;
kneeling L-R: Amanda, Allie and Kayla]

BG Alumni who judged the Novice State Tournament.
[L-R: me, Kent, Anna and Cynthia]

Forensics Press: Forensics team works to win it all

Forensics team works to win it all

By Amy Utendorf of the BGNews
Thursday February 8, 2007

They have already won nearly 200 awards. They defended the Collegiate Forensics Association national title for the sixth year in a row. They've won 14 awards as a team, and they are not done yet.... Most join for the experience, which can benefit many majors such as marketing, teaching and law. Others join to get over their fear of public speaking....

The team describes a tournament as being like a track meet. Each member participates in five of 12 events. Some have one speech they carry through the entire season. Others such as debate, change from tournament to tournament.

The past two faces of Fox News have been members. Leah D'Emilio is now moving on to Los Angeles television. Abby Bollenbacher has moved on to the Washington Speaker's Bureau. Shelly Nickson is now in five shows in Chicago.

Click here for the entire article

While it's Jason Lynch, not me, working for the Washington Speakers Bureau, at least we finally got an article...

Pageant Press: Camp crowned Miss Maple City

[LOU REDA/REFLECTOR Miss Maple City 2007 Roberta Camp, of Orient, is crowned by last year’s queen, Erin Jeffery, at the conclusion of the scholarship competition Saturday night at the Main Street School auditorium.]


Camp Crowned Miss Maple City
by Aaron Krause of the Norwalk Reflector
Monday, February 5, 2007

"Roberta Camp has wanted to become Miss America since she was 9, when she'd watch the pageant show with her mother. Camp kept that dream alive after her crowning Saturday night as Miss Maple City 2007. "I really am in shock," the new Miss Maple City said as she signed autographs. "I was competing with 15 beautiful, accomplished young ladies." Camp attributed her victory to hard work."I gave 110 percent for every level of competition."

Read the entire article by CLICKING HERE.

Pageant Pictures!

[Above left: Miss Clayland Allie Krucek with with the new Miss Maple City, Roberta Camp; Right: the new Miss Stark County, Laura Estrada.]

These photos were copied from Allie and Elyse’s blogs; click to enlarge. Check them out for more great photos:

Miss Ohio Sisters

The Road to Miss Ohio Continues...

Congratulations to the New Miss Stark County, Laura Estrada!

A pageant attendee has just confirmed the following for me:

Miss Stark County: Laura Estrada

1st Runner-up: Lauren Shatlock

2nd Runner-up: Alyssa Spiecher

Spirit Award: Amy Allen

Congrats to all!

[Photo on the left: Laura in Evening Gown at Miss Maumee Valley; taken by Loren.]

Best of Luck to the Miss Stark County Pageant!

Tonight at the North Canton Civic Center, Elyse Healy will crown a new Miss Stark County! CLICK HERE or HERE for more information.

Best of luck to all.

The photo on the right is one of my favorites from Miss Ohio 2006- Elyse and her frog competing in the hopping contest at the City of Ontario Festival. She is a vocalist attending Youngstown State University. In her first trip to Miss Ohio as Miss Stark County Elyse was named the Third Runner-up. She represented Ohio at the National Sweetheart pageant and will be back at Miss Ohio this summer as Miss Greater Cleveland. Visit her blog, The Road to Miss Ohio Continues by clicking here.

The contestants are as follow:

1. absent
2. Amanda Culp
3. Jillian Dansko
4. absent
5. Ashley Hartman
6. Rachel Maris
7. Kimberly Cicerchi
8. Amy Allen
9. Noelle Lelakus
10. Krystle Formosa
11. Laura Estrada
12. Jami Kinton
13. Lauren Shatlock
14. Alyssa Speicher
15. Jennifer Nageotte

Congratulations to the New Miss Maple City, Roberta Camp!

Miss Maple City: Roberta Camp

1st Runner-up: Angela Funovits
2nd Runner-up: Jillian Dansko
3rd Runner-up: Katie Camp
4th Runner-up: Alyssa Spiecher

Interview: Angela Funovits
Talent: Roberta Camp
Swimsuit: Jillian Dansko


To meet all the contestant search February 1st of www.norwalkreflector.com.

Special thanks to my “informants,” a carload of BGSU titleholders who peacefully included a University of Toledo student (“rivals of I-75!”) Above left; left to right: Miss Clayland, Allie Krucek, Miss Northwestern Ohio, Becky Minger, Miss All-America City, Lauren Hogan and Miss Maumee Valley, Kristen Haas. Above right: Lauren and Miss Ohio 2005, Marlia Fontaine. [Photos "stolen" with permission from Lauren's Facebook account. Click each to enlarge.]

Best of Luck to the Miss Maple City pageant!

The Miss Maple City Pageant will take place in Norwalk Ohio at the Main Street School.
CLICK HERE for more information.
[Photo on the left from Erin's Facebook.]

Best of luck to all!

The beautiful Erin Jeffery will be crowning one on sixteen contestants. Erin has competed at Miss Ohio three times and at Miss Ohio USA twice, placing in the Top 5 at the later. She is a vocalist studying Communications at the University of Cincinnati, and in exciting personal news, she got engaged to her longtime boyfriend the same day as Miss West Central Ohio this fall. [Right: Erin, Kyrsten Chambers and I after Miss WCO.]
Check out Erin’s platform website, inspired by her dad’s military service: Operation We Remember.

The contestants are as follows:

1. Rachel Maris
2. Jackie Adams
3. Janelle Zindroski
4. Jillian Dansko
5. Amy Allen
6. Jami Kinton
7. Amanda Culp
8. Kristen Liguori
9. Ashley Hartman
10. Brooke Waddles
11. Heater Waterman
12. Katie Camp
13. Jennifer Nageotte
14. Angela Fungovits
15. Alyssa Speicher
16. Roberta Camp

Sisterly Support in Sin City....

The Miss Ohio delegation supporting Melanie in Las Vegas included the four current/former local titleholders above!

[Left to right: Laura Estrada, Miss Northwestern Ohio Becky Minger, Miss Clayland Allie Krucek and Jillian Dansko; photo from Allie.]

CLICK HERE to check out Allie's blog;
she has many great photos and anecdotes.

Becky has updated her Facebook photos, but not yet her blog; I'm sure it's just a matter of time.