August 2011

APPLAUSE
A quarterly newsletter published by the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program
August 2011
Volume 2 - Issue 1
Miss Ohio gets a much needed makeover!
By Kim Kanary
N
o, not Ellen – she’s great just the way she is! After nearly a year of research and
development, the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is now sporting a new look. While our old
logo served us well, it had become a little tired and dated. We wanted our new logo to reflect
today’s program and contestant – modern and youthful, yet sophisticated.
The new logo and color palette are designed to convey a brighter, more contemporary image
to contestants, sponsors and volunteers. The off-set wording and incorporation of the MOSP
initials reflect a new, more progressive image. The font type is clean, and the use of both
Upper and lower case words incorporates a modern and innovative feel. The stars add a fun
element, while also subtly conveying that our contestants are our “stars” – the reason people
volunteer for and sponsor this program
Color is one of the most powerful forms of non-verbal communication, as our minds are
programmed to respond to color. Therefore, we carefully selected the primary and secondary
color palette based on the way their subliminal messages shape our thoughts. The primary
pink was used to add a feminine flare; pink is viewed as a feminine color that conjures feelings
of appreciation, innocence, delicateness and tranquility. This was balanced with grey
because it is neutral and cool. Additionally, grey conveys authority, practicality and
stableness. Secondary colors, such as blue and green complement the palette while also
conveying important messages. Blue is calming and stirs up images of success,
trustworthiness and confidence; most people can say they like at least one shade of blue.
Green represents financial success – the scholarships on which the program was founded.
By using a lighter shade of green, it also implies health and harmony.
We are excited about this new brand identity
and the many positive changes occurring in
the program. You’ll see this new logo
incorporated in all our materials moving
forward, including the newly redesigned Miss
Ohio website – be sure to check out
www.missohio.org, www.facebook.com/
missohio and www.twitter.com/
missohioprogram to see the new brand in
action. We hope you are as excited about the
new MOSP brand identity as we are!
Miss Ohio Scholarship Program
Book Miss Ohio Today!
Ellen’s schedule is filling up quickly
however there are still plenty of
opportunities to book her for your
school, public or private event.
For more information on booking dates
and appearance fees contact us
[email protected]
PO Box 360320
419-522-6677
Strongsville, OH 44136
Board of Directors
Steven C. Oliveri
Executive Director
[email protected]
Mark Schnitkey
President
[email protected]
Gloria Buwala
1st Vice-President
[email protected]
Holly Campbell-Bradley
2nd Vice-President
[email protected]
Sue Swinehart
Secretary
[email protected]
Tim O’Guinn
Treasurer
[email protected]
Kay Hall
[email protected]
Pat Anthony
[email protected]
Ami Boley
[email protected]
Kim Kanary
[email protected]
Jay Jesensky
[email protected]
John Kunkel
[email protected]
Drena McCurdy
Outstanding Teen E.D.
Board Member Emeritus
[email protected]
Alex Rocks
Ex-Officio Member
[email protected]
Jeri Waite
Ex-Officio Member
[email protected]
Past & Present: a look at our ever changing image
By Jay Jesensky
Through the years, there have been several changes to the Miss America Pageant that have
filtered down to the State level. Talent length has decreased a few times, two piece swimsuits were
introduced, personal platforms have become part of the contestants community involvement and the
Children’s Miracle Network has been adopted by MAO as a nationwide partnership from state to state, just
to name a few.
Over the years, the Miss Ohio Scholarship program has also made changes including efforts on keeping
our program fresh and relevant. By doing so, the logo of the program has been updated to keep up with
the times. Below is the evolution of our MOSP logos:
Congratulations!
First MOSP Board Member Emeritus Inducted
It is with great pleasure that the very first
MOSP Board Member Emeritus was inducted
during Miss Ohio week.
Drena McCurdy has dedicated many countless
hours to this organization and we couldn't be
more thrilled to have her as our first inductee of
this very special honor.
Drena has been involved with MOSP since 1988 first as a volunteer,
then Board Member. She is the founder and Executive Director of the
Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen and Princess Camp Programs.
The entire MOSP Board of Directors would like to thank Drena for her
dedication to the program and we look forward to many more years of
her involvement!
Want to become
a sponsor or
volunteer?
The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program
is dedicated to providing scholarships
for young women across the State of
Ohio.
Our program is built on sponsorship
and volunteers from around this great
state.
If you or organization would like to
get involved we would love to hear
from you. Contact us at:
[email protected]
On the Road with Miss Ohio 2011
One month into my year as Miss Ohio and all I can think is, “It’s already been a
month?!” I have a feeling this year will go by too quickly. Since Becky placed the
crown on my head, time has been in
hyper-mode. But I am enjoying every
minute of it!
Every day is a new adventure. I’m so
blessed to be able to spend this year giving
back to the community, performing on
stage and meeting so many people. That’s
my absolute favorite part of being Miss
Ohio – talking to
everyone.
There are three appearances that stick out the most in my mind to this point:
Dayton Children’s Hospital Visit, Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies and the
Neurological Walk for Courage. And I think these appearances are so special to
me in part because of my sister.
As many of you know, my sister Christina has been in a wheelchair for 11 years, living with disabilities after being
struck by lightning. Before Christina’s accident, I was always tentative around people in wheelchairs or with other
handicaps. But now, I love spending time with them.
They are amazing people who love unconditionally. And when they see Miss Ohio, they just burst with joy! Christina
has always been an inspiration to me, but I’m just starting to realize how much her life has impacted me. Without her,
I know I wouldn’t be able to walk into a hospital and see a
person in the bed instead of just a patient.
With my Miss America Paperwork done and preparations for the pageant in Las
Vegas underway, I’m turning my attention to a big project I started thinking about
more than a year ago and am so fortunate to be able to carry out this year…
In September, I will be riding my bicycle around the state of Ohio –
traveling to the six Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Riding nearly 900 miles
in 4 weeks, I will be
raising money for the CMNH. A website with all of the riding information will be
launched soon. I would love to have you ride with me when I’m in your area!
Also, I want to congratulate our new local titleholders! Enjoy your new title!
There are great things you can do with the titles you have right now –
embrace every opportunity!
Thank you to everyone who has made my first month as Miss Ohio so
wonderful! I couldn’t do it without your support! And if you want to know what
I’m up to this year, you can follow my blog at www.ellenbryan.com. Hope to
see you on my travels!
XÄÄxÇ
SNEAK PREVIEW! Get ready to ride with Ellen as she bike’s all across Ohio.
Final details and press releases will soon be flooding your local news publications!
Stay tuned & get involved!
In the News
Ohio’s Sweetheart Representative
Meggie Wittman will be heading
to Hoopston, IL for the annual
National Sweetcorn Festival and
Pageant.
The Three nights of competition
begin September 2nd and
culminate with the finals on
September 4th. At the time of
this publication, Meggie’s
schedule has not yet been
determined as to what her
competition flight or contestant
number is, however she is
excited to report that she will be
singing “At Last” as her talent selection.
Interested in becoming a
Miss Ohio’s
Outstanding Teen Princess?
Our Princess Camp is a fun and
rewarding experience for girls aged 5-12!
• Team up with a Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen contestant
and learn her secrets to success!
• Enjoy the spotlight as you take the stage in a high energy
production number during the state pageant!
• Wave to the crowd as you participate in the official Miss
Ohio Parade in downtown Mansfield!
Each princess with receive the official Miss America’s
Outstanding Princess Crown and banner!
For more information contact Drena McCurdy
[email protected]
Meggie is very much looking forward to representing the
Buckeye State at this national competition and has big
aspirations. “ I will try to bring the National title home to
Ohio just like Erica Gelhaus did four years ago!”
Good Luck Meggie!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Miss America Contestant Lottery
August 9th—5:00pm
To watch the lottery go to: http://onlineselection.missamerica.org
SAVE THE DATE:
Ellen’s Miss America Send Off Celebration
December 17, 2011
The Galleria—Celina, OH
More information will follow in the next edition of the Applause
Keeping up with Kelsey…..
2011 Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen
By Kelsey Barrett
Four years ago, who would have thought I would be where I am
today? At thirteen years old, I had always dreamed of being on
stage singing in front of thousands of people. When I was
introduced to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship
Program, I was very excited to share my talents under the bright
lights, yet timid to try something so new to me. Although I had grown up performing on a stage, I was unfamiliar with
walking in beautiful gowns and being judged just for being myself. So yes, I will admit it. At thirteen I did not know exactly
what I was getting into. Throughout the years, there is no doubt that I have met many kind and genuine people and made
beautiful memories, but I have also gained a new part of myself that I will be ever grateful for. Of course I am only seventeen, but through this program I have learned that I am good enough by just being who I am. I mess up, and that is completely fine. I am still loved and appreciated by the people who truly matter to me.
I mean honestly, who doesn’t make mistakes? I do believe I am a role model. I try my best, but I have flaws. Yes,
role models can have flaws. “Nobody’s perfect”. I believe in setting a high standard for myself and remaining goal-oriented
and disciplined in order to achieve my dreams. I also believe that not everything has a good ending and that is okay. It is
important that young people everywhere see that accidents happen. If “perfection” is the only thing we see, we will believe
that we have to attain it. Well I hate to burst anybody’s bubble, but being perfect is impossible. If you live your life trying to be
“perfect”, you will never be content with yourself. “Perfect” does not exist. Every person is extraordinary in their own way.
Most people just have difficulty seeing that in themselves. On average, a person sees up to 3,000 advertisements per day.
These advertisements are mostly made up of beautiful, skinny, happy, young, people. This goes to show how damaging the
media can be to the youth in today’s society. Too many people are trying to live up to the unrealistic standards portrayed in
the media. As Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen, I feel it is my responsibility to instill a high self esteem and positive attitude in
the young people struggling to become something that they are not. By being a participant in this program, I have become a
better person. Being beautiful is not having the best shoes and the prettiest hair. Being beautiful is being you and loving
yourself. No girl should suffer from a negative self esteem. I want every young girl to believe she is good enough to achieve
the dreams she holds in her heart. I believe in myself because I can mess up just like anyone else, but I will never stop
trying Giving up is not what I do. That is why I am who I am.
I could say that it took me four years to finally win a state title, or I could say I was blessed to be a part of this
program and to have been a part of the Miss Ohio family for so long. I could say, “Look where I am now.” I would have never
been as ready to be a state title holder two years ago as I am now. Because I was involved in this program for so long, I
have so much more that I want to say. I know what I want to share with the world and I plan to do it efficiently. Will I be the
next Miss America’s Outstanding Teen? Nobody knows. One thing that I do know for certain is
that I am, and always will be Kelsey Elisabeth Barrett; and I think that being me is quite enough.
Kelsey
If you would like to send well wishing to Kelsey while
she is at the national competition, you can send your
items to the following address:
Kelsey Barrett
Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen
c/o MAOT Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Kelsey’s MAOT Competition Schedule
Tuesday August 16th AM - Private Interview
Tuesday August 16th PM - Lifestyle & Fitness
Wednesday August 17th - Talent
Thursday August 18th - Gown & On Stage Question
Saturday August 20th—Finals
Formers’ Corner
Miss Ohio Trivia
By Marlia Fontaine Weisse—Miss Ohio 2005
W
Our Venue History
hat an amazing
experience it was to be
your representative on and
off stage! Some of the
best times of my life
occurred across my four
years of competition and
include some truly
exceptional friendships. I
wish Ellen and Kelsey the
best of luck during their
reigns and know they will
walk away equally as
appreciative from their
years as I have been.
Mansfield originally hosted the Miss Ohio
Pageant at the old Ohio Theatre from 1959 through 1962.
After Sandusky's Jacquelyn Meyer, Miss Ohio 1962, was
crowned Miss America 1963, the Miss Ohio Pageant was
relocated to the Ballroom Pavilion at Cedar Point
Amusement Park in Sandusky.
In 1975, the pageant returned to Mansfield, first to
Malabar High School Auditorium from 1975 through
1978, then to the Madison Theatre in 1979.
In 1980, it was decided to televise the pageant. Because
of inadequate stage depth and backstage space at the
Madison Theatre, the Miss Ohio Board of Directors
decided to move the pageant back to Mansfield's Ohio
Theatre, reopening the facility and sprucing it up for the
pageant's first televised broadcast.
Having already graduated with my Bachelor’s degree prior The pageant's return to the old Ohio Theatre was the
initial event that eventually led to the total renovation of
to winning the title of Miss Ohio 2005, I took some much the theatre and its reincarnation into the Renaissance
needed time to determine what career choices I had in front Theatre.
of me. During that time, I married my favorite person in
the world, and together we have a son who will be two at
the end of August. Once my family was in place, the
choice to go back to school became the clear answer. Now I am
pursuing a Master’s degree in English Literature from The University of Akron.
I am still benefiting from my experiences as Miss Ohio 2005 as I have been recognized as a leader among the
students in the English Department by receiving a Graduate Assistantship. This means my degree is paid for and I am
employed by the department as an English Composition teaching assistant and a consultant in Bierce Writing
Lab. Additionally, I have been elected as the Vice-Present of the graduate student organization called the Society of
Akron Graduate English Scholars (SAGES) and am the Academic Pursuits chairperson responsible for the newly
created department newsletter whose main function is to keep students abreast of publication and conference
opportunities. Lastly, I’m in charge of booking group travel for SAGES-led educational trips and other fundraising
opportunities.
This summer has been busy since I just wrapped up an internship this summer with a northeast Ohio children’s book
publisher as a publishing assistant and intend on interning with one of the big six book publishers in NYC next
summer before graduating in December 2012. I also finally took my first trip overseas to London earlier this summer
and am looking for a career with a publisher that has international offices so that I may one day work and live in
Europe. To learn more about what I do, visit my blog: http://mefweisse.worpress.com
I am still thankful for the opportunities I had to be a representative, both local and state. More than that, I am
appreciative of all the friendships and connections I have made over the years. Without this program, I would not
know what dedication, resilience, and accountability really mean, and I am always available to give back in any way
that I can.
If you would like to be featured in the Formers’ Corner, please contact [email protected] to coordinate
submission requirements
Resale Resource
If you would like to advertise any items that you would like to sell please email the
description of your items to [email protected] for publication in our next issue!
Heather French Henry Red Strapless Beaded Bodice Gown—Size 6
Pageant Creations Heels—Heel Size: 4½ inches—Size: 8
Rialto Black Rhinestone Heels—heel Size: 3½ inches –Size 8
Black Beaded Gown—Great Condition—Size Small
White Beaded Bodice Cocktail Dress—Great Condition—Size 4/6
OC Blue Floral Print Gown—Great Condition—Size 6
London Times Purple Interview Dress—Great Condition—Size 4
Strapless Pink & Purple Multi Color Gown—Excellent Condition—Size 8 (Runs small fits 4/6)
Pink Coral Halter Cocktail Dress—Great Condition—Size 4/6
Austrian Crystal Earrings
Pretty Me Prom by Moonlight—Purple Halter Gown with rhinestones—Excellent Condition—Size 4/6
Scala Cheetah Print Gown—Halter Gown with beading around the bodice and slit in front Great Condition—Size 4/6
For any information or pricing on the above items, please contact [email protected]
(419) 884-1992
Select
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While supplies last!
Work hard, stay positive, and get up
early. It's the best part of the day.
- George Allen
10% off
Jayme Shaw & Winnwear
Swimsuits
Offer valid until October 31, 2011
Upcoming Local Pageants
.…..your road to the Miss America Crown
August 5th
Miss West Central Ohio, Miss Crystal Lake &
Miss Allen County—CLOSED
Lima Civil Center—Lima Ohio
7:00pm
August 6th
Miss North Coast—OPEN
Brunswick High School—Brunswick, Ohio
7:00pm
September 3rd
Miss Miami Valley & Miss Montgomery County—OPEN
Montgomery County Fair Grounds
7:00pm
October 3rd
Miss Clayland—OPEN
Claymont High School
7:00pm
November 5th
Miss Maple City—OPEN
Norwalk High School
7:00pm
March 9th & 10th Miss Muskingum Valley &
Miss Muskingum Valley’s OT—OPEN
Secrest Auditorium
7:00pm
Congratulations to the following young women who have
earned their way to the 2012 Miss Ohio stage!
Miss Greater Cleveland— Tera Coleman, a vocalist from South Point, OH
Miss Cuyahoga County—Allison Goodwin, a dancer from Broadview Heights, OH
Miss Cuyahoga County’s O.T. —Sarah Eash, a dancer from Lakewood, OH
Miss Lake Festival—Jena Sweigart, a singer from Celina, OH
Submission Deadline for our next issue is October 24, 2011
[email protected]—editor