Heather Wells, the newly crowned Miss Ohio 2013, has an optimistic approach to anyone who wants to make a difference, regardless of their self-image or belief in their own talents. “First off, the negativity has got to go,” Wells stated specifically about girls who may not have a positive self-image. “Whatever abilities you have, whatever your skills are, show those off. And believe in yourself. And from there, she can make a difference.”
In addition to her $10,000 scholarship as Miss Ohio, Wells was awarded four other scholarships for the swimsuit competition, for talent, and last night, she received both the dance scholarship and the scholarship based on her personal interview.
Wells is a graduate of Kent State, with a degree in broadcast journalism, and is working towards a master’s degree in nutrition. She recognizes the issue of obesity in America and envisions a role in media as the way she can help change that problem as a correspondent and registered dietician. Wells also has a minor in dance from Kent State.
Wells said there were some significant changes this year in how she approached the program.
“I was strangely calm, and relaxed. And I think when I was able to do that with myself, the judges were finally able, after six years, finally they were able to see the real Heather Wells.”
Although she said she meant to present herself transparently in previous years, “Sometimes I let my nerves get the best of me. So just staying calm, and cool, and being myself I was finally able to capture the crown.”
Wells’ displayed her sense of humor when she said, “I mean I don’t know how many pageant girls would call themselves hilarious…” Wells went back to the subject of being true to oneself. “When you can be true to yourself, the judges can actually see you. And if you’re not true to yourself and you come out on stage, trying to be something that you’re not, you’ll never know if the judges were actually looking for you.”
Looking ahead, the Miss Ohio title signifies a year of service for Wells, and she will have the opportunity to perform nationally as Ohio’s representative for the Miss America Program. Wells highlighted the significance of Miss America as a positive program.
“The Miss America pageant really speaks for itself. It focuses on young women, and as we all know, it is the largest scholarship-provider for young women in the country. And this program is a self-improvement program,” Wells said, “It forces you to look at all aspects of your life. And because of that, because you’re able to grow so much, it sets it apart from everything else.”
Her platform focused on divorce recovery for youth, and stems from Wells’ own experience as a child of a divorced family. Wells described divorce as “an adult problem.” Wells is using her personal growth steps to set up a recovery program for youth dealing with divorce explaining that “half of all marriages end in divorce, and half of those marriages have children involved.”
Wells is passionate about creating a program for the general youth population, which she sees currently unrecognized. “So that’s why I created this program, because maybe it can catch on. Maybe one day there will be a divorce recovery program in every school, and children who are having a tough time with divorce can turn to that program and grow from divorce, not just go through divorce.”
“When I started back then, I had no idea what I was getting into,” Wells stated. She has participated in the program for seven years, and this is her sixth year making it to Miss Ohio. “It’s a job. It’s about being true to yourself, and it’s about developing this platform where you can share with other people, and you can influence them and inspire them in a positive way. That’s what pageantry is about.”
Miss Ohio 2013, Heather Wells, Miss Montgomery Valley.
1st runner-up, Cecili Weber, Miss Capital City; 2nd runner-up, Alissa Brumbaugh, Miss Mansfield; 3rd runner-up, Miss Miami Valley, Cayla Hellwarth; 4th runner-up, Miss Greater Cleveland, Meggie Whitman.
