Nanciann Strosnider
Tonight seven teens will vie for Kelsey Ballew’s title. They are:
Kellie Kulka, Miss Maumee Valley’s Outstanding Teen
Kellie is a 16 year old dancer from Toledo. Her platform is Right to Life.
Aujanna’ Million, Miss Butler County’s Outstanding Teen
“You Have Million Reasons to Succeed” is her platform. She is a 13 year old dancer from Middletown.
Kelsey Barret, Miss West Central Ohio’s Outstanding Teen
Kelsey’s title is literal, as she is the little sister of Miss West Central Ohio, Jessica Barret. She is a 13 year old vocalist from Wapakoneta; her platform is “Prevention of Malaria in Africa.”
Ashley Miller, Miss Portsmouth’s Outstanding Teen
Ashley is a 16 year old vocalist from Patriot who advocated Teen Abstinence.
Three other contestants are competing “at large.”
Shaylah Monnette is a 14 year old dancer from Marion. Her platform is “Jump Robe for the Heart.”
Lauren Hawkins advocates “B.E.A.R to be Different.” She is a 13 year old dancer from Middletown.
Kaitlin Bressler is a 16 year old vocalist from Springboro. Her platform is “Peer Support Groups for Young Grieving Children.”
The program starts at 7 p.m. on the Miss Ohio stage. Entertainers and emcees will be Miss Ohio Melanie Murphy, Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Kelsey Ballew, Ohio’s Princess Alexis Nelson and former Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine.
The judges are Jo’D Herron, Denny Keller, Laura C. King, Kathleen Ricciardella and Jim Dawson.
The theme aside, I have to defend the performers, vocalists Shanon Woodward, Shana Teel and Emily Fitzpatrick are very good, as well as fiddle/violin player Dr. Laura Schumann. The rebel in me loves this photo of the quick onstage change during the opening number! (It’s funny because the contestants are strictly forbidden to “disrobe” during the Talent competition.)
I am honestly not just saying that because I crowned her, I barely know the girl. I’m impressed because she is so tiny, I mean TINY, therefore she has to work three times as hard as everyone else to “own” the stage and not get swallowed up by it and I think she’s really doing that this year.
Talent last night felt like the battle of the Broadway divas! Ultimately Nanciann Strosnider won the prelim award for her very controlled rendition of “Happy Days are Here Again.” Because of her placement (last) and her very smooth and deliberate delivery she was my friend Jeff’s pick to win. I agreed “Fany-pants,” as we call her, did a great job, but Loren and I were pulling for my good friend Lauren Hogan. I had not seen her perform her new talent, “My Strongest Suit” from Aida prior to last night and I was blown away! It’s quite a contrast to “I Could Have Danced All Night” which she sang at locals. I thought she did a great job, and surely scored high. Being the only tap dancer in the competition, I’m sure Jillian Dansko’s fun routine also stood out to the judges.
Last night I abstained from selected a Swimsuit winner, as it was a very tough flight, much tougher than I thought it would be. Again, I think Swimsuit is the hardest thing to determine while watching online; Tuesday was also a great Swimsuit flight, but being there in person made it easy to narrow down. When forced to choose, Loren said Becky Minger, although he later clarified that a positive reaction he made via instant message was for Heather Lindsay, who ended up winning. By the time I noticed his message I thought it was about the next woman onstage, Christie Youssef. That’s not meant to be negative toward Christie, she ended up being my friend Jeff’s pick. I though Erica Gelhaus possibly had a chance to be a double preliminary winner, since she was already on the judges radar, and for the record, I’d give anything to have leg definition like Kasey Wilson!
Finally, in Onstage Question, I felt Jessica Barrett did a great job of explaining a very tangible aspect of her platform issue. So often women’s platforms and the questions they are asked about them lean toward ideals, emotions or theories, it was nice to hear someone talk about something practical; she actually informed the audience about something. Allie Krucek always presents herself solidly and even thought I think she ran out of time, I loved the passion Emily Cousino had. Like Jessica, she spoke directly, drawing a strong parallel between the requirement on fire extinguishers to the need for portable deliberators.
Miss Ohio Melanie Murphy said goodbye to one title Thursday night on the Miss Ohio stage. Moments later, Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller knelt on one knee and asked the former Cavs dancer to take on another.
"The title is my wife ... Melanie Murphy," Miller said. "I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me? Through tears Murphy said, "Yes, I'll marry you Matt...
Miss Ohio officials called the marriage proposal a first in the history of the Miss Ohio stage as the show continued."
Performing a Barbra Streisand favorite, Miss Lake Erie Nanciann Strosnider won Talent Thursday night. Miss Maple City Roberta Camp won Talent on Tuesday night with her gospel vocal “Blessed,” as well as Swimsuit on Wednesday.
A newcomer to the Miss Ohio stage, Gelhaus, 19, of St. Henry, was honored with the talent award..."I just warmed up before I did it tonight and went out there and had fun," she said.
Making her third trip to Miss Ohio, Camp, 23, was chosen for the swimsuit award...to become Miss Ohio, she will now have to overcome the "curse" of being a double preliminary winner. "They say that often the double preliminary winners would not walk away with the title but I'm really here for the job..." Camp said.
Some aspects of the production changed, such as the theme from Titanic instead of the old Hollywood tap number, and a disco finale instead of Grease. This is a very nice touch and I’m sure the variety is much appreciated by the parents and E.D.’s who are there every night.
While the ladies glided across the stage in Evening Gown, Loren and I sat at the kitchen table enjoying grilled chicken and corn on the cob, which was even odder than being in the audience. Again, most of the women had new gowns. I absolutely loved Jillian Dansko’s strapless animal print gown! Nanciann Strosnider floated across the stage in a gorgeous white gown that has already been proven crown worthy in Nebraska.
I predicted Night Two would be a very tough talent night, and though folks from across the country who were watching and chatting online were not hugely impressed, I know that in person it must have been amazing. Ericka Gelhaus performed an outstanding aria in a lovely rose colored ball gown to win the Preliminary Talent Award. I’m sure this is very exciting for Melissa and the Miss Lake Festival crew. Hopefully my hometown newspaper will write an article about her, and if so I’ll be sure to share the link. As usual, I was impressed by Karissa Martin’s rendition of “I Feel Pretty.” 
This song is decidedly overdone in pageantland, but that doesn’t matter when it’s done well. Christie Youssef’s harp performance was also quite competitive, thanks to its uniqueness and seemingly high level of difficulty, in the opinions of Loren and I. Finally, Kasey Wilson always does a nice job; her new song was very soothing but perhaps not engaging enough. While the title probably doesn’t ring a bell, the melody is quite familiar, I am almost positive it’s used on a national ad campaign, but I can’t recall for what… a credit card commercial perhaps…?
Swimsuit was probably the most difficult to judge via the internet broadcast. Despite a slight stumble, Rachel Maris looked great. Loren and I also liked Kristen Haas and Roberta Camp. Roberta and her red two piece won the Swimsuit Preliminary Award, making her a double preliminary winner! Allison West and Ericka Gelhaus have the chance to become the same as they compete in Talent and Swimsuit in the final prelim, respectively.
