From Miss to Mrs. to Mom!

Over the past couple months there seen many joyous occasions on Facebook that I meant to blog about, but...
Here are a few I saw and recall:

Former Miss Scioto Valley, Megan Wombacker
wed Craig Smargiasso.

Elizabeth Miller, a former contestant and sister to former Miss Ohio Teen, Ashley Miller, married Wes Clary.

Forever our Miss Congeniality, former contestant Zaina Agbo is engaged! The same is true of long time contestant Ashley Hartman and former Miss Cuyahoga Valley, Katie Wolford!

Two former Miss Ohio's recently joined the motherhood!

Marlia Fontaine-Weisse and baby Donovan

Natalie Witwer-Metzger and baby Adelaide

Congrats to all!

As always, feel free to send me these kind of updates; the Facebook news feed is a fickle thing, so don't be offended if I missed your magical moment. Or if you want this information or photos removed, my email is abbybollenbacher@yahoo.com.

Pageant Poll: Rush Limbaugh as a Miss America Judge?

When Rush Limbaugh was announced as a judge for the 2010 Miss America pageant, I didn't have time to give the news the attention it deserves; media outlets carried the story and blogs and message boards erupted.

In the official press release, Miss America's CEO, Art McMaster said, "We are thrilled to have Rush join us for our pageant this year...We know that the 2010 Miss America Pageant will be filled with new twists and exciting opportunities with him as one of our national judges."

However, many question Limbaugh judging a pageant that is aiding women's education and trying to "Go Green," given his many sexist and anti-environmental comments. Naysayers believe it to merely be a publicity stunt and those who don't like either Rush or pageants find it to be an antiquated match made in heaven. There are also those who feel his conservative views fit perfect with the ideals of Miss America.*

What do you think?

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*Writing an affirmative sentence about Rush Limbaugh was extremely difficult for me. His racist, sexist, repulsive sentiments speak for themselves. I think both sides of the political spectrum should be represented on the judging panel, but there are far less offensive options, with cleaner criminal records to boot! In my opinion, this is a pathetic publicity stunt and I can not wait for the day Miss America gets out of bed with FOX News!

From the Rumor Mill...

Update (10.22.09 7:50 p.m.): Reliable sources have confirmed that Erica's apartment in Mansfield was sold and she must vacate by the first of November. She liked the area and is going to stay with her Miss Ohio host family.

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The word on the web is that Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus, is no longer living in her Primrose apartment in Mansfield. Supposedly the Mansfield retirement community needed the unit and Erica has relocated to the Findlay Primrose. If this is true, she now has a more direct route to her hometown, but is no longer centrally located for appearances... Feel free to confirm or deny this rumor by leaving a comment or emailing me!

Defining the "Service" and "Style" Points of the Crown!

I am so glad Megan posted the picture below on HER BLOG, of former Miss Virginia, Tara Wheeler:

I hope you recall, Tara made great efforts during her reign to raise money for cancer research, with the promise of shaving her head. Since she didn't reach her goal she was contractually not allowed to do so until her year as Miss Virginia was over. But as you see, after crowning her successor she busted out the clippers!

I think she's actually more beautiful now! Fans were never satisfied with Tara's hair before and now that it's gone I think you can really see how facially stunning she is; it makes me think of former contestants, Emily Fitzpatrick's post-pageant cut:

Pageant Press and Pictures: Miss Clayland 2009

Celina woman newest Miss Clayland

By Cindy Davis
Times Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As Pam pointed out in a comment below and the column noted above, this is not only Heathers third local title, but the third time she's been crowned by Erica! Above: Lake Festival in 2007
Unavailable: Miss Northwestern Ohio in 2008
Below: Miss Clayland in 2009

Facebook Fan Pages and Group Links

Got Facebook?
Become a fan:

Miss America
Miss Ohio Scholarship Program
Miss Ohio USA & Ohio Teen USA
Miss Portsmouth / Scioto Valley
Meggie Wittman, Miss CC
Johnny Porrazzo
Sophia Davis
Jennie Keller Skinner
CWN Photography
Gallippo's Photography
PSK Innovations Photography

Facebook Groups:

Miss Ohio Scholarship Program
Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen
Miss America's Outstanding Teen
Miss Mansfield
Miss North Central Ohio
Miss Mansfield's Outstanding Teen

Add or remove Facebook links by commenting under this post.

Congrats to the New Miss Clayland, Heather Waterman!

Miss Clayland: Heather Waterman

1st Runner-up: Kristy Moneysmith
2nd Runner-up: Sherry El Sakr

Right Now: Miss Clayland

The Miss Clayland pageant is currently underway in Uhrichsville! It is not only the oldest Miss Ohio local, but also also has a strong history of success. It lays claim to the reigning Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus, last years Karissa Martin, as well as Miss America 1978, Susan Perkins Botsford and 1st Runner-up to Miss America 1985, Melissa Bradley Buchanan. More fun facts can be found on Miss Clayland's lovely new website!

Gelhaus, [seen above in a CWN Photo] will represent Ohio in January at the Miss America pageant. She won Miss Ohio on her third try and studies Voice at Otterbien College. At the pageant tonight she is cohosting with Scott Robinson, director of Tuscarawas County United Way. Clayland is known for E.D., Martha Campbells loud bird call and their high scholarships! Tonight the following six ladies are competing for more than $3,200 in scholarships:

Sherry El Sakr
Education: Graduate of Cleveland State University / Biology
Talent: Piano
Platform: Heart 101: Promoting Heart Healthy Lifestyles in Our Children
Pageant Past: Competed in a couple locals last season as a belly dancer, placing 3rd RU at Miss Mansfield.


Kristy Moneysmith
Education: Ball State University / Speech pathology & Audiology
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Mentoring Through Leadership and Role Modeling
Pageant Past: 1st RU and Swimsuit winner recently at Miss Lima Square Fair. She has competed at Miss Ohio as Miss Mohican Valley 2009 and Miss Chillicothe 2008.


Danielle Henry
Education: Kent State University / Nursing
Talent: Dance
Platform: Being a Cancer Advocate: Speak Up!
Pageant Past: Competed in a handful of locals last year, including Top 10 placement at Miss Muskingum Valley.


Ashley Bowman
Education: Kent State University / Political Science
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Celebrate the Character in You
Pageant Past: Competed recently at Miss Portsmouth.



Samantha Hartings
Education: Coldwater High School
Talent: Dance
Platform: Child Literacy Awareness
Pageant Past: Competed at Miss Ohio Teen USA last year.



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

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On a somewhat related topic, you might be asking, "Abby, what's the deal?" It may seem that I've been neglecting my blogs, but I assure you, it's not entirely by choice. As many of you know, I live in LA now where I've been doing background work as a means of joining SAG, the actor's union. Spending 12 to 15 hours a day on set, plus travel time, does not leave much time for anything else. Last week I was back in Ohio packing up my home there, which finally sold! It was four stressful, tiring days of moving things to storage and relocating my male counterpart and our pets to a temporary location. Yesterday I traveled all morning and afternoon and upon landing I went directly to work until 1 a.m.! So, sorry Miss Clayland, you didn't get proper promotion.

Blogging used to be my mindless hobby and the way I'd decompress, but I just don't have much time for it anymore. Meaning, I need your help more than ever! I greatly appreciate when contestants and parents send me updated information and pictures and when E.D.s send me dates and details for your pageants! Please, help me help you! :) Don't hesitate to send a reminder if I seem to forget to post something.

Also, if anyone has found a good blogger ap for iPhone, let me know. ShoZu simply does not work, BlogPressLite won't let me past the Picasa set up and blogging via text is an insufficient option.

Oh, and of course, someone comment or something when you hear the results of Miss Clayland! :) Thanks!

Pageant Photos: Miss Ohio USA 2010

[Above: Candid close-up of the new Miss Ohio USA,
Amanda Tempel, left.]

The following are Top 15 Miss photos stolen from Keri Schmelmer's Facebook. I can only identify a few contestants; please leave more names as comments if you know them!

[Above: left in gold is 3rd RU, Alexis Semach; right with the ponytail is the winner Amanda Tempel.
Below: Amanda is second from the left and 4th RU, Megan Wise, is the red head in the middle.]

Miss Ohio USA and Ohio Teen USA Results!

Miss Ohio USA, Amanda Tempel, St. Bernard

4th RU: Gallia County, Megan Wise

3rd RU: Central Ohio, Alexis Semach
2nd RU: Clayton, Adrielle Lassalle

1st RU: Westlake, Allisa Reitmeier

Ohio Teen USA, Bridget Linton, Uniontown

Remaining Top 5:

Montgomery, Nora Zaenglein

Southern Ohio, Holli Mauk

Putnam County, Jena Diller

Riverside, Caity Jackson

Miss Ohio USA Top 15

It sounds as though they're running the Miss and Teen pageants simotaniously, which makes sense with such low numbers.
Huge thanks to former contestant, Vanja Djuric, for posting the Miss Top 15 on Facebook:

Gallipolis, Leanne Craft

Southwest Ohio, Angelique Verbarg

Westlake, Allisa Reitmeier

Gallia County, Megan Wise

Hamilton County, Drew Lagergren

St. Bernard, Amanda Tempel

Lake Erie, Lindsay Davis

Garretsville, Nicole Boyer

Hilliard, Brittany Haddock

Scotio County, Allie Wagner

Central Ohio, Alexis Semach

Ohio River, Ashley Caldwell

Richmond, Aleah Oelmann

Clayton, Adrielle Lassalle

Jackson, Sarah Newkirk

Right Now: Miss Ohio USA Interviews

Yesterday both the Teen and Miss contestants competed in preliminary competition; this morning they're interviewing and tonight in Portsmouth new titleholders will be crowned!

Here are the stats of the returning women, as posted on a message board; I haven't had time to cross check it:

Abbie Camp (NF/Congeniality 09)
Lehanna Craft (2RU 09)
McKenna Gilbert (NF OH TUSA 09)
Brittany Haddock (T15 OH TUSA 07)
Rachel Hoops (NF 09)
Jacquelyn Huna-Nichols (T15 09)
Kelli Jones (NF 09)
Alissa Reitmeier (MO Teen USA 04)
Alexis Semach (1RU 09, 3RU 08, 1RU 07, T15 06)
Aliea Smith (T15 09, T15 08, 4RU OH TUSA 05)
Angelique Verbarg (T15 09, T15 07, NF 06, SF 05, T15 OH TUSA 04)
Megan Wise (3RU 09, 3RU OH TUSA 08)

Pageant News: A Controversial Judge Announced

Rush Limbaugh is scheduled to judge Miss America 2010!
Click here for news articles.

Gearing up for Miss Ohio USA and Ohio Teen USA!

This Friday and Saturday a new Miss Ohio USA and Miss Ohio Teen USA will be crowned! Click here to view the Miss headshots on their fantastic new website. It would appear the contestant drought is not exclusive to MAO locals; there are only about half the number of contestants than just a few years I ago when I competed in this system. Also, there are no major "crossovers" this year; I believe Allie Wagner may have done a local a couple years ago, but I think she's it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

View the Teens here. Recognizable names are Lauren Hawkins (1st RU to MOOT in 07 and 08) and Kara Wagner, who competed at MOOT this summer as Southern's Outstanding Teen.

"I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so..."

For at least a month, maybe more, I've been inundated with comments under the Miss Lake Festival Results post, written in Asian characters. I moderate my comments and have not published them because I have no idea what they say! I assume it's spam, but Celina does have a Japanese exchange program...? And if it's spam, why is it exclusively on that post? I've pasted some of the comments into a free online translator and tried several languages, but nothing translates. Needless to say, it's so annoying! Worst of all, I end up with that 80s tune by The Vapors stuck in my head! :) "I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so..."

Can anyone read the examples below? Have any fellow bloggers been getting anything similar? Help!

童貞を奪ってみたい女性たちは、男性にとって「初体験」という一生に一度だけの、特別なイベントを共に心に刻み込むことを至上の喜びにしているのです。そんな童貞好きな女性たちと最高のをしてみませんか

高級チェリーの秋は童貞卒業のシーズンです。童貞を食べたい女性達もウズウズしながら貴方との出会いを待っています。そんなセレブ達に童貞を捧げ、貴方もハッピーライフをってみませんか

最近雑誌やTVで紹介されている家出掲示板では、全国各地のマンガ喫茶等を泊り歩いている家出少女のメッセージが多数書き込みされています。彼女たちはお金がないので掲示板で知り合った男性の家にでもすぐに遊びに行くようです。あなたも書き込みに返事を返してみませんか

美容院いってきた記念に写メを更新しました。結構気に入ってるんですけどどうですか？メール乗せておくのでメッセお待ちしてるなり

Miss America 2010 Contestant Placement

Last night the Miss America contestants participated in an online lottery to select their competition placements! Ohio's Erica Gelhaus will be the 12th of 18 women in the Sigma Group; this is the last group to interview, then they compete in Swimsuit and Evening Gown on Tuesday night, Talent Wednesday and conclude the preliminary competition with On Stage Question Thursday.

Click to enlarge the complete placement chart:
According to a message board, the women chose there slots in this order; it's probably close, but not guaranteed to be 100% accurate:

Tennessee, Utah, Connecticut, North Carolina, Hawaii, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Arizona, Ohio, Florida, Minnesota, Maryland, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, Alaska, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Iowa, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Washington, South Dakota, Michigan, Rhode Island, South Carolina, New York, Oregon, Louisiana, Nebraska, Georgia, DC, New Jersey, Virginia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Virgin Islands, California, Idaho, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maine, Kentucky, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia, North Dakota, Kansas, Texas, Nevada

Pageant Pictures: Portsmouth

[Above left to right: Emily Werling, Scioto Valley's Teen, Anna Reis, Miss Portsmouth and Cecili Weber, Portsmouth's Teen.

Below: Emily and Cecili with Miss Ohio's
Outstanding Teen, Veronica Wende.]

[Above: The winners with the judges, perhaps, I'm not sure?]

Thank you to the Werlings for the pictures and congrats to these three beautiful winners!

Congrats to the New Miss Portsmouth, Anna Reis!

Miss Portsmouth: Anna Reis

1st RU: Nicole Iezzi-Blessing

Teen Winners:
Emily Werling
Cecilia Weber

Best of Luck to the Miss Portsmouth Program!

Today in Portsmouth the second oldest Miss Ohio local pageant is continuing its legacy as five young women compete for Amber Bussa's title. Amber is a vocalist and student at Ohio State University. The same is true of her sister-titleholder, Miss Scioto Valley, Alyssa Hanson. Unfortunately there are only enough contestants to give the Miss Portsmouth crown, but ED Greg Davis has alluded to the possibility of holding another pageant in the spring.



Tonight a teen title will also be given! The pageant will begin at 7:30 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at Shawnee State University. Below: 08/09 titleholders and ED Greg Davis:


One of the following will become the new Miss Portsmouth:

Kristen Marie Piasecki

Education: Baldwin-Wallace / Education
Talent:
Platform:
Pageant Past: Miss Parma contestant (non MAO pageant)

Anna Reis

Education: University of Cincinnati
Talent: Clogging
Platform: Girl Scouts of America
Pageant Past: Experience in American Co-Ed and National American Miss.




Nicole Iezzi-Blessing

Education: Wright State / Pre-Med & Psychology
Talent: Classical Vocal
Platform: American's with Disabilities
Pageant Past: Ohio Junior Miss runner-up and festival queen





Sasha Eby

Education: Muskingum College/ Neuroscience
Talent: vocal "I'm a Stranger here Myself"
from the musical One Touch of Venus
Platform: Promoting Teen Abstinence
Pageant Past: Top 10 at Miss Ohio as Miss North Coast


Ashley Bowman

Education: Capital or Kent...???
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Celebrate the Character in You
Pageant Past: Competed in 07/08.



Courtney Countryman

No information found.

Best of luck to all the contestants and please leave comments with updated contestant info and the results!

An Evening of Christmas Spirit and Miracles

A Miss Ohio, MOOT and CMN holiday fundraiser will be held Saturday November 7th in Mansfield. The event will include a live and silent auction, for which donations are being accepted.
$25 per person. RSVP and donate to Drena McCurdy at simplyun4getable@aol.com or 419-884-1992.

So You Think You Can Nance?

Congratulations to former Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, Ali Nance; she auditioned for the FOX reality competition "So You Think You Can Dance" and has moved on to the Las Vegas try outs!