Olivia Thoroughman was crowned 2013 Miss Outstanding Teen, Wednesday evening at the Renaissance Theatre. The full show included a lifestyle and fitness routine, a talent program, and a short question and answer for the contestants based on a platform of ideals they have implemented in their communities. Seventeen young women from all over Ohio participated.
Miss Mansfield, Sydney Shasky was enthusiastic about her platform: “No tolerance for bullying.” At Madison Jr. High, she spoke out against bullying, deciding she would be “a voice for kids.”
During the show, she was asked by Miss Ohio, “Sydney, if you had a friend that was being bullied at school, what would you do?” Shasky replied, “I would tell them that you’re beautiful inside and out. If you’re confident with yourself, as you are, show it off!”
After the show, Shasky shared her views on bullying. “At Madison, there are a bunch of rules about bullying. There is a no tolerance rule. There are consequences for physical contact, suspension, and no consequences for the other person, the victim,” Shasky added, “There are no consequences for the victim, even if [the victim] provokes.” Shasky believes that being a peer, and speaking out against bullying, does help the problem of “verbal and physical” bullying in her school.
“I think it’s a bad thing, I don’t know what the problem is. They don’t listen to the rules, and it continues.” Shasky, an eighth grader at Madison Jr. High, feels she has been empowering girls through her efforts. Shasky plans to be a counselor specialized in law who advocates for the youth. She is 13 years old.
Olivia Ana Thoroughman and her mother Tanya drove three and a half hours from Portsmouth with about 35 fans last night prepared to cheer for her.
Thoroughman’s platform was “Heart to heart.” She stated, “I’ve been able to talk to several hundred school -aged children. I was able to talk on local radio, and I developed a coloring book that I was able to pass out to the kids when I talked to them about heart health.”
Thoroughman has been promoting ways to stay in shape, and she spoke eagerly about her next step for her cause as the newly crowned Outstanding Teen. “I would like to do a 5k and a 10k to raise money,” Thoroughman stated. Miss Outstanding Teen said she felt “fantastic,” and “It meant the world to her right now.” Thoroghman said she already had plans to take her platform to the next level. Look for her Heart to Heart 5k or 10k through Ohioraceday.com in the coming months, promoting heart health.
