MANSFIELD, Ohio – A very emotional Emily Krejci was crowned Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen at the Renaissance Theatre on Wednesday evening after three rounds of onstage competition.
The 15-year-old wiped away tears as reigning Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Rosie Westerbeck pinned Krejci’s new crown on her head. Krejci is originally from North Royalton and represented Miss Maple City in Wednesday’s pageant.
“Before I went on stage I was like whatever happens, happens, and I’ll be happy with that,” said Krejci. “But when my name was called I was just thinking about my family and how proud I was going to make them, and this year and how great it’s going to be. I’m so excited.”
Accompanying the Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen crown is a $2,000 cash scholarship for Krejci, who will be a sophomore at North Royalton High School this fall. She also took home a $250 overall talent award for her performance of the song “Everybody Says Don’t” from the Broadway musical “Anyone Can Whistle Music,” and a $250 interview award.
Krejci chose her song based on her platform, “BEautiful YOU: Strengthening self-confidence in children and teens” because of its inspirational message to stay true to yourself.
She said the hardest part of this week’s competition was staying focused.
“Especially with pageants it’s really easy to get caught up in everything that’s going on around you,” said Krejci. “I think the hardest thing is staying focused and making sure you’re going to do your best and not worry about anyone else.”
First runner-up to Krejci was Miss Northwestern’s Outstanding Teen Gabriella Morando of Mansfield. She received a $600 cash scholarship as well as the $250 overall dance award. At age 13, Morando is the youngest contestant in the Outstanding Teen competition.
“It was kind of disbelief at first,” said Morando of her win. “I thought they might have said the wrong name.”
Also representing Mansfield at Wednesday’s pageant was 16-year-old Sydney Shasky.
“It was an awesome experience, even after doing it for three years I still felt the adrenaline and nervousness a first-year contestant will feel,” said Shasky.
Second runner-up was Miss Portsmouth’s Outstanding Teen Abbey Hitchens, receiving a $500 cash scholarship. Third runner-up was Miss Clayland’s Outstanding Teen Brooklyn Affolter, receiving a $400 cash scholarship. Fourth runner-up was Miss Great Butler County’s Outstanding Teen Alice Magato, receiving a $300 cash scholarship.
After a whirlwind year of being Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen and a heartfelt farewell on Wednesday evening, Rosie Westerbeck said she is happy to hand her crown over to Krejci.
“Emily hands down deserves this, there were a lot of great young ladies up there and Emily really did shine,” said Westerbeck. “She really knows hard work, you can tell she’s a hard worker so I’m personally very excited to hand my crown down to her. I trust her 100 percent and I think she’s going to raise the bar even higher.”
The newly crowned Krejci said she is now looking forward to representing Ohio in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant.
“Not only do I get to represent myself and my family and my state, but I get to represent every single girl that was on that stage today,” said Krejci. “Something Rosie said was we’re not crowning a winner of the representatives, we’re crowning a representative of the winners. That’s something I’ve always kept to heart and something I’m going to take with me to Miss America.”
