The Road to Miss Ohio....

New Blog

2006-08-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

Follow me on my new blog, The Road to Miss Ohio Continues... as I begin my second year in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program!

Caution: Very Busy Month Ahead

2006-07-31T23:47:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't been on here sooner with updates and pictures of this past weekend. I am thrilled to be the new Miss Greater Cleveland 2007. It was so wonderful to get to know such an outstanding group of girls there. I was so honored to be chosen out of such a talented bunch! I know most of you would like to see pictures, and I finally got them up on my Webshots page this afternoon. I attempted to take pictures backstage during the day, but my camera battery decided it was all out of charge. In my Webshots gallery are the few pictures my mother and brother took after the show. Thanks to everyone who made Miss Greater Cleveland a great night! I'm really looking forward to being a part of the GC family this year!!

And now that I have a new title, I felt that it is now time to begin a new blog. You can continue reading my bloggings on The Road to Miss Ohio Continues...

This next month ahead looks to be an exciting, yet EXTREMELY busy one! Please be patient with me as I make the transition to my new blog as well. I promise to write very soon about the eventful August that lies ahead.

Congratulations Erica!

2006-07-25T11:44:00.000-04:00

Last night the first local titleholder of 2007 was crowned Miss Lake Festival. Erica Gelhaus (who is pictured below) sang the aria, Saper Vorreste from Verdi's The Masked Ball. Erica, who won both the talent and interview awards, is a fellow Junior Miss sister. She was a top 5 finalist this past February at the 2006 Ohio Junior Miss Finals. I remember watching her perform, and she really has a lovely operatic voice. I am definitely looking forward to seeing her sing on the Miss Ohio stage next June! Congratulations and welcome to the Miss Ohio family Erica!!!

Long Time, No Write

2006-07-23T23:43:00.000-04:00

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted. Before I left for Miss Ohio week, I really thought that things would calm down when I returned. Boy was I wrong for assuming that! Miss Greater Cleveland is less than a week away so this has been like back-to-back pageant weeks for me. Now that I am finally getting settled and returning to normal, once again I have to get back into "pageant mode" and pack it all up again! But really, I love it. I enjoy participating in the program so much that the positive aspects clearly out weigh all of the craziness and stress. I can't wait to see everyone at GC next weekend! Oh, and one last Miss Ohio note; I finally got most of my pictures up on my Webshots. Since my mother and I each have our own computers, it has been quite challenging to get all the pictures in order. However, I think most of them are finally there. You can find them by clicking this link.

It is so hard for me to believe, but in one month I will be back to school! And yes, I am greatly looking forward to 19 hours of classes a week. My schedule for fall looks pretty challenging, but it is mostly full of Political Science and Communication courses (my 2 favorites!). I'm in desperate need of a somewhat normal routine!

I'm sorry this post is becoming rather random, but I almost forgot about the most exciting happening of this week. I bought my first new car!!! Yesterday morning I picked up my beautiful black 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. It's loaded and compared to my old car, it's a very welcome step up! Once I wash it and clean it after yesterday's torrential rains, I'll be sure to post a picture.

More Miss Ohio updates

2006-07-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Here are more pictures from Miss Ohio week. I'm working on getting my Webshots back up and running so all of my pictures from the entire week are in the same place. I was planning on writing a big thank you post to everyone who gave us wonderful gifts throughout the week, but Abby beat me to it! Let me also reiterate a BIG thank you to all of the great people and business who supported us!

The Road Continues...

2006-07-11T17:36:00.000-04:00

The long journey to Miss Ohio 2006 is now over; however, another journey is just beginning. After such an amazing experience this year, I most definitely plan to hopefully return to the Miss Ohio stage next June. I was extremely pleased with my performances in all aspects of competition. I know I did my very best in each and every one of them. For my first year at MO, I think it went exceptionally well. I achieved both of my personal goals, to make the Top 10 and to make great new friends. Now, I really believe I surpassed those goals. Being named 3rd runner up, Finalist Interview winner, and the New Contestant Spirit Award winner were such honors. But beyond the accolades and scholarships, I gained so much more. I met SO MANY outstanding people that believe in the power of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Those volunteers, sponsors, contestants, family, and friends are what make our program so great! Here are a few of my favorite pictures that my mother and other photographers captured during the week. Over the next few days and weeks, I plan to write a little more about my memorable experiences in Mansfield. But for now, back to eating and sleeping! (Katelyn & I are having a pizza-eating sleep over tonight!!!!!)

My parents & I at the Coronation Ball

Evening gown competition on Wednesday night

At the parade

My brother and I after a prelim night

Miss Ohio 2006!

2006-07-09T23:04:00.000-04:00

Surreal...that is the best way I can describe the past 24 hours! But first let me say congratulations to the new Miss Ohio 2006, Melanie Murphy! It was an outstanding week and a remarkable experience. I really need some sleep after I filled my stomach all day with tasty treats. I promise to write a long entry tomorrow including pictures from the second half of the week. Thank you to everyone who made Miss Ohio week so wonderful for me!

Melanie Murphy, Miss Ohio 2006

Miss Ohio Monday

2006-07-03T23:26:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe, but three days are complete at Miss Ohio! Today was mostly filled with rehearsals again, but we also had lunch at Chinatown and our annual "Celebrity Waitressing" at Applebee's. Thank you to everyone who came out to Applebee's and supported our scholarship fund. And now on to what I'm sure you are all waiting for...today's photos!

Kristen, Kasey, Nanciann & I at Chinatown Mary, Heather, Leslie, and Katelyn also at Chinatown Kasey enjoying her milkshake...YUMMMY! Nanciann selling our Gold and Silver Sponsorships at Applebee's Our dinner table at Applebee's Miss Katelyn and her brownie! All of us outside Applebee's

Parade Day in Mansfield!

2006-07-02T22:34:00.000-04:00

Today was another thrilling and busy day! We first ate brunch at Applebees, signed autographs, had our "Shoes" judged, rode in the parade, ate dinner with the Elks, and finally got in the first rehearsal with the choreographer. As you can imagine, I am exhausted after such a long day, but I have enjoyed every second of being at Miss Ohio so far. Here are some pictures from today's activities.

Kasey, Nanciann, and I at Applebees

Mary, Katelyn & I

I took this picture from my car on the parade route. You can see my Stark County supporters in front of the Theatre

Katelyn and her adorable "shoe"

Kasey literally licking her plate at Applebees

Here I am eating my ONE and ONLY bite of chocolate cake for the day! (it tasted amazing!)

What A Day!

2006-07-02T00:24:00.000-04:00

I'm so tired after a LONG arrival day in Mansfield! But I must say, it certainly was an exciting and fun time! I'm just going to post pictures tonight and maybe tomorrow I will get a chance to tell you a little about the festivities here. Hope you enjoy the pictures!!

Erin & I at our Host Home Roberta & Kasey eating lunch Jodi, Nanciann, and Katelyn Ontario High School Locker Room Group shot at Ontario Festival Kasey & I acting silly Us at Sweet Basil (the food was awesome!) Katelyn and I being...us! The beautiful fireworks at the Mansfield Raceway

The Road to Miss Ohio...

2006-06-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

I really wish I could have come up with a catchy title for what will most likely be my final post before I leave for Mansfield. It's so hard for me to believe, but I have been writing this blog for exactly three months today. I didn't know if this whole "blog thing" would be such a success, especially considering my busy schedule. But, I am extremely pleased that I did it. Actually, this blog has become exactly what I set out for it to be; a place for me to express my thoughts and feelings about the upcoming events through my love for writing. This blog is an opportunity to talk about my passions, my successes, and even my misfortunes. Writing these past three months has given me a chance to reflect on my life, and learn from it. So often I get caught up in the daily grind and never stop to look at myself, this blog has allowed me to change that. I said I planned on writing until July, but I've decided to revise that goal. I plan on continue writing my blog for quite some time.

Before I finish up this entry, I have some "thank yous" to deliver. I could go on and on about all that I am thankful for: my parents, family, friends, ED's, disabled children, special education teachers, personal trainer, sponsors, photographer....wow, the list just goes on and on. But honestly, I am so grateful just for the opportunity to compete at Miss Ohio this year. It really is an honor to be a part of this amazing program! Whether I come home with the crown or not, I know that the experience I will have gained will outweigh any of the possible accolades. I am most looking forward to getting to know 23 outstanding young women. These young women are the future leaders of our communities and nation, and I will be proud to say I competed with them. Whoever this year's Miss Ohio is, I'm sure she will be wonderful! She will be most deserving and certainly will represent our state well.

As I draw to close, I can't help but go back to remember what I wrote in my first entry:

No matter what this July has in store for me, I will embrace it's outcome with excitement. Over two years ago, Miss Stark County 2005 and Ohio's Jr. Miss 2003, Jaycie Dotin, shared a piece of advice with me that I can still remember so vividly "The winner has already been chosen by fate...just do your best, its all you can do."

So now....ON WITH THE SHOW! I'll do my best to post comments and pictures from Mansfield, but in the event I don't have internet access, I'll see you July 9th!

Pleasant Surprises!

2006-06-29T00:19:00.000-04:00

Today while going about my daily business, I received two beautiful surprises as you can see below. The red, white, and blue "Ohio" arrangement was from the wonderful teachers (Laura & Laurie) and the students in Room 6 at Leonard Kirtz School. I wish they all could be at Miss Ohio to cheer me on, but their well wishes will certainly be with me throughout the week!

The second arrangement I received was delivered to me while I was at work this morning. Even though you cannot see it in the picture, these beautiful lavender flowers are covered with sparkles and glitter. They are gorgeous, I love them! Thank you Creekside Fitness!!!

Thanks again to both my friends at Leonard Kirtz School & Creekside Fitness for all they have done for me! Their constant support continues to inspire me to achieve my best each and everyday!

A Must Read!

2006-06-27T17:12:00.000-04:00

Most of you would think that with only 3 days remaining until my departure for Mansfield, the last thing I would have time to be doing would be reading a book. Well, thankfully all those hours my mother and I spent preparing for Miss Ohio during the past few months were well spent. Everything is ready to go! All my clothes are pressed, labeled and hung in garment bags just waiting to be loaded into the car Saturday morning. At Spring Forum, we were told to bring a book or something to do for our down time at the theatre. I had recently seen in People magazine that a famous female civil rights attorney, Gloria Allred, had released a memoir of her life and career. So off to eBay my mother went, and less than a week later, the book arrived. I got the book in the mail this morning and I'm already a fourth of the way through the book!

I know that not everyone has the same passion for law as I do, but I feel that this book not only appeals to those with my same interest. This excellently penned work is an empowering novel that speaks to all who have at one point in their life faced adversity, and had the courage to conquer it. On a daily basis, Gloria Allred strives for the equality of all people in America. Her tenacity and determination for justice inspires me to become a female attorney of such admirable character. At this rate, I have a feeling I'll be done with my reading material before I even arrive in Mansfield! I highly recommend this uplifting and motivating novel!

Very Good News!

2006-06-21T14:53:00.000-04:00

Over 4 months ago Youngstown State university (YSU) announced that a scholarship fund had been established in memory of Judge Sidney Rigelhaupt and Attorney Bert Rigelhaupt. This scholarship was available for 2 Outstanding Pre-Law Students attending the university who hoped to pursue a career in the legal world. At the end of Spring semester, I turned in my application and until yesterday I had heard nothing. What is so unusual is that out of nowhere my mom asked me yesterday morning if I had heard anything yet on the scholarship. I told her no, and went on with my day. Later, as I was busily decorating my Miss Stark County t-shirts for Miss Ohio week, my mom came bursting through the door holding a letter from the YSU Political Science Department. Oh no, I thought, here is my "thank you for applying letter." But what I opened to find was quite the contrary. "Dear Elyse, I wish to congratulate you on being chosen as the recipient of the Rigelhaupt Scholarship..." My jaw dropped! I certainly had not planned on winning this scholarship, but I was ecstatic! I am so thankful to the YSU Political Science Department for bestowing me with this honor. It is so pleasing to see that they recognized my passion for politics and the justice system through my academic record and extracurricular activities. I doubt any of my professors read this blog, but I really owe the Political Science Department a HUGE thank you!!!!

** And one last little note, thank you to Creekside Fitness for the good luck message on their website. You can check it out here!

Tick...tick...tick

2006-06-20T17:22:00.000-04:00

As cliche as it may sound, time really does fly when you are having fun! It is so hard for me to believe, but over 8 months ago I was crowned Miss Stark County. And I can whole-heartedly say that the journey has been extraordinary! With only 10 days remaining until my Miss Ohio departure, I am estatic to "get the show on the road." All my dresses are finished being altered, and today I bought the last pair of shoes I needed. So that brings my grand total of new dresses to six and new pairs of shoes to eight. Packing all of these items will most certainly be a challenge! But as my director Anne told me today, my excitement about the Miss Ohio week ahead is contagious -- I know my family and friends are equally excited! I just can't wait to spend a wonderful week with 23 remarkable young women, and have the chance to showcase my talents. No matter the outcome, I know I will be able to say that I did my best.

This past year has taught me a great deal about myself. I have learned that with hard work and determination, dropping 20 pounds and 10% in body fat in 6 months is possible. I have learned that a beautiful girl starts on the inside, and is only complimented by her outer beauty. And what I think I have learned the most, is to be thankful for EVERYTHING I have: my family and friends, my health, my talents, and all of the outstanding individuals that have helped me along the way.

Well...now that I have nearly made myself cry, I better get my butt to the gym!

Celebrity Status

2006-06-13T22:14:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning I received an email explaining the details of the new Miss America Pageant for this year...and I couldn't be more excited!!!! What better way to bring Miss America back into the national spotlight then to bring the program to Hollywood?! One very deserving Ohio girl will travel to Los Angeles, California this upcoming September to be part of the next "Finding Miss America." Below is an Associated Press article summarizing yesterday's exciting announcement:

Miss America Reality Series Set for L.A.
June 13, 2006
By AP & John Curran

The road to Miss America will go through Hollywood this year. Whether it leads to Las Vegas again remains to be seen.

The pageant will tape a seven-episode documentary series titled "Finding Miss America" in Los Angeles from Sept. 5 to Sept. 13, the Miss America Organization announced Monday.

The series, which is to air on Country Music Television for a week preceding the televised pageant finals in January (the exact date still to be determined), will show the 52 women in preliminary competition and give viewers a chance to choose which ones advance to the top 15 for a shot at becoming Miss America 2007.

But pageant officials still aren't saying where or when the next crowning will be held. Other cities have expressed an interest in hosting Miss America, said pageant CEO Art McMaster. He is awaiting, he added, a final proposal from Las Vegas, which hosted the last one. He wouldn't identify the other cities.

"There's no question, there's a couple of other cities that are aggressively coming after us right now. We were happy with the success of Miss America last year there. We're just waiting on Las Vegas' proposal," he said.

The changes mark the newest wrinkles for an institution still trying to find its way in a post-network TV life.

Jettisoned by ABC after record-low ratings for the 2004 pageant, Miss America broke with 85 years of tradition last year in moving out of Atlantic City, where it was founded in 1921 as a bathing-beauty revue.

Picked up by the Nashville, Tenn.-based cable outlet, the Jan. 21 crowning of Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry drew 3.1 million viewers Â paltry numbers by network standards but huge for CMT, which never drew more than 2.9 million for a program before Miss America. The channel reaches 82.5 million households, about one-third less than the networks reach.

The documentary series is considered a means of drumming up interest in Miss America, which existed as a once-a-year TV special since 1954 but has struggled to keep viewers who are bored with its swimsuits-and-sashes formula.

In "Finding Miss America," film crews will follow the women as they prepare and participate in swimsuit, talent and evening-wear competitions held in different places on different days. Viewers will get to vote by telephone or online.

McMaster expressed confident that ratings "are going to go through the roof" because of the interest he expects the documentary to attract.

My New Obsession

2006-06-12T00:04:00.000-04:00

I have a new favorite song that has been stuck in my head for the past few days. A rather new song on the American music scene, "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" burst onto the charts after Catherine McPhee sang this catchy tune on American Idol. After hearing this song only once, I was hooked! Immediately I went to my computer and downloaded Kt Tunstall's new album "Eye to the Telescope." Kt Tunstall is an exceptional young musician from England, who I'm sure will be definitely become a household name in the very near future. I highly suggest you check out this great album, it's a great find!

Ms. Wheelchair America

2006-06-06T10:56:00.000-04:00

For the past few days I have been trying rather unsuccessfully to get this entry up. The blogger homepage just didn't want to fully load on my computer. So finally here is the entry I intended to post on Tuesday!

Having grown up with a young woman who recently was named Miss Deaf Ohio and First Runner up to Miss Deaf America, I started to wonder if there were more beauty pageants that were available for the disabled. I did a little internet research and found a remarkable number of programs across the country. On July 31, 2006 a new Ms. Wheelchair America will be crowned. As I was researching, I happened upon an article about the reigning Ms. Wheelchair America 2006, Kristen Connors. Kristen is from Rhode Island and is currently a constituent caseworker for US Congressman James Langevin. As such, Kristen handles issues regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Veterans and Military concerns, and issues related to Education and Housing.

Kristen Connors

Kristen was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a form of Muscular Dystrophy, at 15 months. She has used a wheelchair for mobility since elementary school. Her parents, Pat and Jerry, decided early on that they would not think about the things Kristen was unable to do, but rather concentrate on what she could do. Each year her parents would speak to her teachers and made it a point to instruct them that Kristen was not to be treated special because of her disability but should be treated like all the other children.

Kristen has combined her employment and leadership knowledge and her advocacy work to pursue her platform of “Breaking down attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities in the workforce”. Individuals with disabilities face many barriers every day- from physical obstacles in buildings to systemic barriers in employment. Yet, often, the most difficult barriers to overcome are the negative attitudes that people with disabilities can encounter in the workplace. Kristen’s philosophy is that we are the only ones who can set limits for ourselves and our potential; no one else can. Kristen’s personal life in the workforce reflects this belief. She started working summer jobs when she was 14 and has never let barriers hold her back. In Kristen’s own words, “If I had allowed other people to set limits for me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. As far as I am concerned, there are no limits and I hope this holds true for you as well.” I believe Kristen so clearly exhibits what it means to "Think Ability." She has never let her physical condition set limits on what she could accomphlish. People like her are truly an inspiration.

A Time For Self Reflection

2006-06-01T22:40:00.000-04:00

If you ever wanted to put your life into perspective, I suggest you look no farther than spending a day with a disabled child. My mouth aching and swollen, barely able to eat or talk because of a serious infection from my wisdom teeth extraction, I stumbled into my favorite classroom last Thursday afternoon. Honestly, I was miserable...I really wanted to be at home in my bed asleep. But as you can tell from the bright smile on my face, these remarkable children made me forget just how bad my past two weeks had been. Sure, I was one of the unlucky 2% of people who encounter a serious infection after oral surgery, but I was with some the most inspiring people I know. How could I be anything but happy? Since the school year is drawing to a close, I figured it would be fun if I brought the kids cookies for snacktime and we could have a little party. So we did just that!

These children have so little to smile about, yet I find that they smile far more frequently that I. For three years I have been volunteering at Leonard Kirtz, and every time I leave, I find myself touched by the beautiful spirits of these challenged children. I so often ask myself, how can I complain about anything in my life when I have been blessed with so much? Yet, these children who have so much less, are far happier then I have ever been. My time with them is a gift, a gift that I am truly grateful for. I firmly believe that these children can change the outlook of all of us. If given the chance, that is something these individuals are definitely able to do. So with that, I leave you with some food for thought. Have you put your life into perspective recently? Everyday I find myself so stressed out and often complaining about the trivial matters of this fast paced life. Today, all I have to do is look as these pictures and know exactly how much I have been blessed with.

A Sweet Treat!

2006-05-25T21:16:00.000-04:00

Today, I discovered the most wonderful ice cream treat. When I was a little girl, I absolutely loved orange creamsicles. However, when watching my figure before Miss Ohio, treats such as those are few and far between. Tonight after dinner, with my mouth still aching from my muscle strain, I was dying for some sort of ice cream or popsicle. So, I drove to the grocery store and found myself in awe of the ice cream isle. Oh, how I so wanted to take home a pint of Ben & Jerrys for my snack. But, knowing how hard I work everyday at the gym quickly set my mind straight. I headed for the "healthy" options. It's truly amazing to see how health conscious our country has become. I found such a wide variety of "No Sugar Added" or "Low Carb" options. Perusing the shelves, I saw them! Carbsmart Creamsicles! Like a kid in a candy store, I stood there just staring at all of the choices! So thinking there had to be catch, I picked up the box. And amazingly, there was none. Each bar contains only 25 calories and ZERO net carbs! As for the taste....amazing! So for all of you who are crazy healthy eaters like me, I highly recommend this delicious, yet sinless treat. Yum!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

2006-05-23T23:41:00.000-04:00

It has been a little over a week since I have written, and I have a few things to catch up on. What originally appeared to be a rather easy wisdom teeth extraction became a little more complex a few days after the procedure. The temporal muscle in my jaw decided it wanted to cramp and lock after the surgery leaving me in a great deal of pain and distress. I haven't been able to open my mouth wide enough to eat, and much to my chagrin, I haven't been able to sing or work out either. However, from this lack of eating, I have lost another 8 pounds in a week! That was not really expected, but it was definitely welcome since I'm only 5 weeks away from Miss Ohio. But, on a good note, my jaw is getting better. I sang and worked out today for the first time in over a week. I can't wait to be back to normal!!!!

Getting back into my weekly routine, I got to see my Leonard Kirtz kids today. I took them sugar cookies and we had a little party. It was great! Pictures of our end of the year celebration will be up in a few days.

Oh, Wisdom Teeth....

2006-05-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out. It really wasn't as bad as I had originally anticipated. My swelling has been very minimal, and the pain hasn't been too bad either. The hardest part for me has been the not talking part. (Go figure?!) The last thing I remember before going under the anesthesia was talking about my Miss Ohio talent, and next thing I knew I was in another room with a good amount of gauze in my mouth. Eating for the past two days has posed quite a challenge, however, on a brighter note, I think this could help out my Miss Ohio diet a little. And on an even better note than that, I ate Coldstone ice cream last night for the first time since October. Even though I could barely feel my mouth from all the novocain, I could still taste that amazing Birthday Cake Remix. Oh I was a site to see! I couldn't feel my mouth so on occasion my mom would have to point out that I had ice cream running down my chin. All in all, this experience hasn't been so bad...atleast I got some ice cream out of it!

Community Service Weekend & Bowl-a-thon!

2006-05-14T17:11:00.000-04:00

What a fun weekend I had! It was great to see all of the Miss Ohio girls again, and especially to have the opportunity to get to know them all a little better. I have so many good stories to tell...where to start?!!! Friday afternoon, Katelyn Koval (Miss Open City) & I drove down to Mansfield for an informal get-together at Terri Tinsman's house. First let me say how beautiful Terri's home is. We owe her a big "thank you" for having us and for all of the yummy snacks! All of the contestants and I had a wonderful time chatting with Marlia and getting to watch her Miss America videos. We took a group picture before we were sent off to our host family's homes for the night.

My roommate for MO this year is Erin Jeffery (Miss Maple City.) This year is Erin's third trip to the MO stage. She attends the University of Cincinnati and is a Communications major. Her platform, which she is extremely passionate about, is a non-profit organization that she personally founded. It is called, "Operation We Remember." This organization was founded because Erin's father is a former serviceman. Erin recognized the need for care packages to be sent to our service people around the world. Her platform is now in operation all over the United States. Erin is also a singer and an animal lover. I am definitely looking forward to getting to know Erin a little better and spending a great MO week with her. Below is a picture of Erin, Kasey Wilson and I at the Bowl-a-thon.

For my Community Service project on Saturday, I went to Dayspring Assisted Living Center. Dayspring is a wonderful facility that is dedicated to serving the elderly and disabled of Richland County. I spent the day there with four other MO girls, Kasey Wilson (Miss Clayland), Nanciann Strosnider (Miss Portsmouth), Catherine Sengenberger (Miss Ohio Valley), and Jodi Greene (Miss Central Ohio). We first were given a tour of the building and its absolutely beautiful setting. Dayspring is set on a hillside of a picturesque landscape. It really was a site to see! We then got to meet many of the residents during lunch, and finally had the chance to perform for all of them. Since all of us visiting contestants are singers, we performed a little variety show and told a little about ourselves and what we do. My singing voice wasn't in the most cooperative mood between my sinus problems and the weather, but it was still just a joy to perform for everyone. These are the some pictures from Dayspring and our "Grand Finale." (Note Kasey's stellar performance of the "YMCA"!)

Our exciting weekend drew to a close with the MO Bowl-a-thon. My "Miss Stark County" team consisted of my dad, my brother Christopher, and my best friend Jason. We had a blast! Even though I was the worst bowler on the team (and possibly at the entire event), I had fun. And fun is what counts, right? Judging by the looks of everyone's faces, all the contestants, volunteers, parents, and friends seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. Below are still more pictures from the Bowl-a-thon event. All and all, my weekend was wonderful. I made some great new friends and got to meet inspiring people from the Dayspring facility. This weekend has only made me more excited about returning to Richland County in July for what I firmly believe will be an outstanding MO week! A big "thank you" to all who made it a success!

A History Lesson

2006-05-10T19:20:00.000-04:00

School is finally out! Really, I couldn't be more relieved that this semester is now over. I had 6 very enjoyable classes with great professors...but I'm ready for summer, and most importantly, Miss Ohio! However, you would think that since school in finally over, the last thing I would write a blog about is history. Any of my close friends or family can tell you that I am a HUGE history buff. My dad and I share this same passion, and since I was a little girl he has he has encouraged it through vacations, TV shows, and books. I was surfing the net the other night and I happened upon a very interesting page on the PBS website. On their website, PBS has dedicated an entire section to the Miss America Organization. For the link to the page click here. Needless to say, when you put two of my favorite things together (history & MA), I'll be hooked for hours. Its a great site full of pictures, biographies, and even a teacher's guide to using the information in the classroom! As I kept browsing the site, I found that there is even a video to go along with it. What I found most interesting were the biographies on each and every one of the previous Miss America's. Most people have a favorite MA, mine is Yolande Betbeze.

Yolande Betbeze

For those of you who do not know, Yolande was a strikingly beautiful opera singer. But I don't only admire her because she was an opera singer like myself. What is most interesting about her is that she was the first MA to be more than a "beauty queen." She wanted to be seen as a beautiful woman, but most importantly, a talented and independent-minded woman. After winning the 1951 title, Alabamian Yolande Betbeze shocked pageant organizers and sponsors when she refused to wear a bathing suit in public. Catalina Swimwear withdrew its support as a major sponsor, and founded two rival beauty pageants, Miss USA and Miss Universe. "To...go into Milwaukee in the middle of the winter and walk around a department store in a bathing suit is not my idea of Miss America," said Betbeze. After her reign, Betbeze continued to be outspoken. She marched in civil rights demonstrations, took part in sit-ins in Woolworth's in New York, and later marched in a feminist demonstration against the pageant in Atlantic City. Yolande Betbeze truly exemplified what is means to be Miss America. Her courage continues to inspire young woman like myself to be proud of my involvement in the MAO, and be most proud to stand up for what I believe in.

♥ The Hearts of Miss Ohio ♥

2006-05-07T21:21:00.000-04:00

At the Spring Forum Miss Ohio ED, Carrie Hutchman, introduced a new concept to all in attendance--"The Hearts of Miss Ohio." I really am enthusiastic about this new program. I know that as a young girl, I would have loved to participate in an activity like this. The following information was given to us during the presentation:

Mission Statement: "The Hearts of Miss Ohio" program is a set of mentoring and fundraising activities sponsored by the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program dedicated to helping raise our children to be well rounded, accomplished leaders of tomorrow. It is designed to encourage young girls ages 5 to 12 and their families learn about and develop a love for our Miss Ohio Scholarship Program so they can become lifelong participants and contributors to our wonderful Miss America system.

Each young girl would receive as part of the program:

Mentoring activities:

activities with their local titleholder

Group activities, social events, and possible fundraising events with the "Hearts" program

Special VIP activities during the week of the state pageant

Exclusive Ohio "Hearts" Gifts:

Custom-designed "Hearts" Miss America Style Crown

Crown Necklace

"Hearts" t-shirt

Photo included in the Miss Ohio Program

One VIP seat to MO State Preliminary & Final Pageants

Free VIP seating for 2 or 3 people at each local pageant they choose to attend

On Stage appearances and introduction wearing crown during:

Evening wear portion of State Preliminary
Any locals pageants they choose to attend
Special events held on behalf of the Miss Ohio & the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Program

A Much Needed Update!

2006-05-04T13:20:00.000-04:00

It's been over ten days since my last post, and it was starting to drive me crazy that I couldn't even find the time to update my blog. I have been utterly overwhelmed by my school schedule since finals are rapidly approaching! I have so much to say...where to begin is the question?! I think I'm going to attempt to write an entry each of the next few days so I can include everything I really want to tell you all. First on my list: Miss Ohio Spring Forum.

On Friday night, April 21, my mother and I made the relatively short, two hour drive to Mansfield. We drove around a little, and finally settled into the Holiday Inn next to the Renaissance Theatre. It gave me a sense of relief to see everywhere I will be during MO week this upcoming July. Mansfield is an adorable, old-fashioned, rather quaint town. I loved how everything looked straight out of the movie "Pleasantville." It certainly was a nice change from the bumper to bumper traffic around the mall and shopping centers around my town! I most definitely am looking forward to getting to know the town and people a little better in the near future.

I should also probably mention our crazy night we spent at the Holiday Inn. My mom and I were really looking forward to a "girls night" in Mansfield while watching the Miss USA Pageant. However, the quiet evening we were desiring was not something that would be achieved that night. I normally don't complain about these sort of things, but it was just all too much. To start off, outside our window was a large safety light in the parking lot. Usually, I would be perfectly fine with an outside light, however, our blinds were not heavy enough to keep the "daylight" from shining through all night. Continuing on, the walls and doors at the hotel were very thin. Let me once again stress their THINNESS. All night we could hear a newborn baby crying in the next room over. Around 2am, someone decided to fill probably 3 or 4 buckets of ice at the machine outside our door. And to top it all off, a train with a blaring horn came traveling through Mansfield at 5:30am. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. The next morning I awoke quite tired, but extremely excited for my day ahead. However, my bad day just wanted to continue on. My hair dryer broke while I was doing my hair and my mother and I got a little lost on the way to Lexington High School. Thank goodness this string of unfortunate events was not an omen about the rest of the day!!

Marlia & I

At Forum, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet almost all of the girls that I will be competing with at MO. Of course, the first girl I had to see was Katelyn, my fellow Canfield girl. She looked beautiful as always, and I can't wait until she comes home from school next week and we can start seeing each other a lot more. I also had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Mary Krouse. Mary is a fellow OJM girl (its a bond that lasts forever), and she will be dancing for her talent this year. I am greatly looking forward to next weekend when I will get to see her again. The other contestant I spent time talking with was Jenna Wilson. Jenna is really a sweetheart! I honestly cannot think of a better word to describe her. She has a beautiful bright smile, and is great to talk to. I am thrilled that in a few days I will have the chance to meet more of the girls at Community Service Weekend.

Katelyn & I

Odds and Ends

2006-04-20T21:48:00.001-04:00

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Timken & Myself

It's hard to believe that it is already April, and it's even harder to believe that April is almost gone. Wow....time is flying by and before we know it, June and July will soon be upon us. This has been an exciting, busy, and exhausting week for me. On Tuesday at Canton Celebrity Cuisine (which was great!) I had the wonderful opportunity to meet some great new people. I was introduced to Canton area Councilman, Tom West. Mr. West and I quickly hit it off after he discovered my platform of "Think Ability." I told him about my plans to start a legislative renewal of ADA (American Disability Association) awareness in the public sector. I explained to him that I would like to collaborate with local, state, and national legislators to create a greater awareness of my platform throughout our nation. All over America, disabled children and adults are often unable to use playground equipment at public facilities. By working with bureaucrats across our state and nation, I would like to pass legislation that would make it mandatory for these parks and recreation centers to be handicapped accessible. He was excited about my ideas, and since he serves on the Canton Parks and Recreation Board, he invited me to call him so we could further discuss the project. Needless to say, I thought the night was a success on many levels. The event reached record attendance and the Community Harvest Food Bank was able to generate some much needed funds for their very worthy cause. I would also like to say thank you to the Pepsi Company who invited me to work with them at Canton Celebrity Cuisine. It was such a pleasure getting to meet such nice and generous individuals! And I also need to say thank you as always to my wonderful and supportive ED's and mother. I'm so glad they were there to spend the evening with me.

Councilman Tom West & Myself

On a completely different note...this Saturday is the Miss Ohio Spring Forum. I'm very excited because this will be my first chance to meet the girls I will be competing with this July. Saturday night is also the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Program in Lexington which I will be in attendance for. Ohio was so lucky this year to have been so well represented by Ali Nance. I had the privilege of meeting this talented young lady at Miss Stark County this year. I wish her all the best in the future! I'm sure we will be seeing her on the Miss Ohio stage as a contestant very soon! Best of luck to all the girls competing at Outstanding Teen this weekend!

Celebrity Cuisine

2006-04-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

This coming Tuesday, I will be making a Miss Stark County appearance at the Canton Civic Center. This article describing the event appeared in the Canton Repository this past week:

Celebrity Cuisine aids area's hungry
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

A record number of restaurants will participate in the14thh annual Celebrity Cuisine on Tuesday, according to its sponsor, the Tri-County Restaurant Association.

Thirty-six restaurants and food providers will dish up food at the Canton Civic Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Restaurants donate the food and time. Attendees pay $25 to sample their way around the room, enjoying soups, salads, appetizers, entrees, breads, desserts and beverages.

Proceeds go to Community Harvest, a nonprofit group that rescues prepared and perishable foods for soup kitchens.

For tickets, call Tri-County at (330) 499-7007 or visit a participating restaurant. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

Participants: A Centre Place Grille, AA Executive Catering, Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolate, Atlantic Food Distributors, Bill & Marya's Diner, Buffalo Express Catering, Canton Club Restaurant, Canton Woman's Club, Cheers Tavern & Grille, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Desert Inn, Exclusive Catering of K of C Massillon, Fame Beverage, Fedeli, German American Club, Gregory's Restaurant, Grinders Above and Beyond, Hide-A-Way Restaurant, Island Delights, K&M Coffee Service, Lucia's Fine Dining, Massillon Club, Milk & Honey, Miller Refrigeration, Nicole's Family Restaurant, Pancho's Southwestern Grille, Papa Bear's, PepsiAmericas, Peter Shears Downtown, Pileggi's Italian Cafe, Rolando's Restaurant, Smoothie King, Tim's Tavern, Tommy B's, Top of the Viaduct Restaurant and Walther's Cafe.

Oh! And before I forget...HAPPY EASTER! I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing day!

R-O-C-K in Youngstown!

2006-04-13T20:22:00.000-04:00

This past Tuesday night, I had the wonderful opportunity to see an American music legend live in concert. John Mellencamp's "Words and Music" tour made a stop at the Chevrolet Center in downtown Youngstown. It was amazing to see the normally quiet inner city booming with over 6,000 people...on a Tuesday night!! Believe it or not, this concert made Mahoning Valley history with its record attendance. The energy in the Chevy Centre was awesome! Little Big Town, best known for their song, "In the Boondocks," was Mellencamp's opening act. I am an avid country music fan so their performance certainly was a treat for me. But, I have to admit, the very BEST part of the night was singing along with Mellencamp's most famous tune, "Jack and Diane." I think that will be one of those great musical moments I will remember forever! If you get a chance to see this tour, I highly recommend going. It really was a great night!

TGIF!

2006-04-07T11:40:00.000-04:00

It's Friday! Finally! This has been an exhausting week for me both physically and mentally. I've written two Political Science papers, taken a Poli Sci test, worked, and worked out 5 days already this week. For the past 3 and a half months I have been working out with my personal trainer, Karen Miller at Creekside Fitness. She has been a great help not only physically but emotionally as well. Karen knows what it is like to get ready for what she calls "the big show." She currently holds a title too, Ms. International. With her workout routines and nutritional guidance, I have dropped 6 percent of my body fat in the past 3 months. That to me is so encouraging! I couldn't have done any of this without the support of great trainer like Karen and everyone at the Creekside Fitness facility. I put their site links in so you should check them out! It is so hard to believe that Spring Forum is only 2 weeks away and Miss Ohio is 2 months and 3 weeks away! Time is flying and I am so excited to meet all the girls and volunteers.

I wish I had a new picture of the twins, but since only Maria is home from the hospital, I'll have to wait until Elena comes home to have that opportunity. As you can tell, my family is extremely important to me. I know that I could not be where I am right now without the love and guidance I have received from them. I hope my mom reads my blog today because I feel I need to talk about her a little. My mom has been my greatest motivator since I won Miss Stark. Everyday she encourages me try my best and work my hardest. From going to NYC with me to pick out dresses, to cooking healthy food for me everyday...she has been there every single step of the way. Once in awhile, I will have a day when I get down on myself and I think I can't do anymore, but my mom is always there pushing me to succeed. She truly is my best friend, and for that, I cannot say thank you enough. I LOVE YOU MOM!

The Girls Have Arrived!

2006-04-02T22:29:00.000-04:00

I waited nearly 20 years to have girl first cousins, and this week I recieved the best present, 2 on the same day. This past week my aunt gave birth to twin girls. They are simply precious!! I wish I had pictures of myself with them, but since they were premature, I haven't even had the chance to hold them yet. They have the most beautiful names as well...Maria Emiline and Elena Lucia. Can you tell I'm excited? Below is a picture of the girls. I can't wait until they get a little older. I will certainly be the big cousin spoiling them and dressing them up in sparkles and pink!

Pictures and Such...

2006-03-30T15:37:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday! My favorite day of the week. Why you may ask? Well not only do I get to sleep in an extra half hour and only go to 2 classes on Thursdays, but I get to spend a few rewarding hours at Leonard Kirtz (LK). For those of you who are not familiar with LK, it is the school for mentally and physically challenged children and adults in my county. I have been a weekly volunteer there since I was a senior in high school. It is just one of those places I could be at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From the teachers to the students, everyone there is so inspiring.

On a competely different note, last week I did a Miss Ohio photoshoot with Don Hileman at New Visions Photography. He did the most amazing job and I am so excited about my new headshots! They look great thanks to Don! Check out his website here. If you're looking for a pageant headshot or just a family portrait, Don is the man the go to! I cannot say thank you enough to him for his outstanding work.

My first post!

2006-03-29T12:24:00.000-05:00

Today, I decided that with only 3 months to go until I leave for Miss Ohio, it was time for me to start a new blog. Previously, I attempted to start one, but due to my busy schedule, my attempt was rather fruitless. So here is my second try. I have so much to write about! The past months since my crowning as Miss Stark have been exciting, overwhelming, and at times a bit exhausting. Attending class 18 hours a week, working part time, and going to the gym 6 days a week certainly keeps me on my toes everyday. However, I am so thankful for the wonderful journey I have been on these past 5 months. I have come to meet some of the most amazing and inspiring people. From personal trainers, to physically and mentally challenged children...I can honestly say that this humbling experience has deeply touched me. When people hear about my involvement in the Miss Ohio system, they are quick to judge and label me "a beauty queen." Beauty Queen? I don't think I quite fit that mold. Yes, I enjoy beautiful gowns, getting my nails done, and all of the other aesthetics. But, being a "beauty queen" is a title that goes so much further. My favorite part of holding my title is the opportunity I have to share my passion for reaching out to the handicapped. My platform is more than just a requirement; it has been something that I have enjoyed long before I was part of the MO organization. So today is a new beginning...a fresh chance to share my experiences with others. No matter what this July has in store for me, I will embrace its outcome with excitement. Over two years ago, Miss Stark County 2005 and Ohio's Jr. Miss 2003, Jaycie Dotin, shared a piece of advice with me that I can still remember so vividly "The winner has already been chosen by fate...just do your best, its all you can do." So with that, I end my first entry.