MANSFIELD — Ellie Nickoli had a dual purpose coming into Wednesday night’s 2017 Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Program.
“As I was preparing for the pageant, I set two goals for myself; to place in the top five and win talent. I’m thrilled that I was able to achieve both,” said Nickoli, daughter of Greg and Libby Nickoli.
The 14-year-old won the talent portion of the competition with a strong vocal performance and then finished 3rd runner up overall as one of the youngest entrants in the event.
Grace Fusco, of Kirtland, won the Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen Program, besting 14 other entrants.
Despite her age, it was actually Nickoli’s second time in the competition, earning the title Mohican Valley’s Outstanding Teen earlier.
“As a 13-year-old, I was asked by pageant organizers last March if I would be interested in competing. I only had two months to prepare, so last year was a learning experience,” she said.
Nickoli earned a $500 scholarship for placing 3rd runner-up and another $250 scholarship for winning the talent by singing “Journey to the Past” from the Disney movie, “Anastasia.”
“I’m begging my mom to take me to New York to see it on Broadway,” she said. “I’m so happy I earned $750 in scholarship money. I wore the same dresses both years to save my parent’s money.”
Fusco, who will be a junior at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, was in the contest for the first time. She earlier won the title of Miss Great Lakes Outstanding Teen.
Fusco said she one day wants to be a fashion designer in New York City. She plans to major in fashion design at Kent State University.
“I truly believe that I belong in New York. That is where my heart and soul is,” she said.
The 16-year-old Fusco earned $2,000 scholarship and will compete at the national level in Orlando, Fla. in July.
She also bested a field of 14 other contestants.
First runner-up was Miss Northwestern’s Outstanding Teen Grace Brown, 17, of Heath. Second runner-up was Miss Greater Cleveland’s Outstanding Teen Emily Fowler, 16, of North Royalton.
Fourth runner-up was Miss Miss Shawnee’s Outstanding Teen Nia Gribbons, 14, of Austinburg.
