MANSFIELD — The Miss Ohio preliminary competition wrapped up Friday evening with a second night of excitement.
The competition began with the “Grey” flight, candidates 12 through 22, showing off their unique talents ranging from dance, vocals, and three instrumental performances of the cello, flute and steel pan.
Meanwhile the “Scarlet” flight, candidates one through 11, presented their social impact pitches, answered an on-stage question asked by Miss Ohio 2011 Ellen Bryan, and graced the stage in gowns during the red carpet competition.
Due to technical difficulties that took place the night prior, no preliminary talent award was given out to a candidate in the “Scarlet” flight.
To make up for this, two preliminary talent awards were given out at the end of Friday’s competition.
Coincidentally, the two awards went to the only two pianists in the competition – Miss Maple City, Elizabetta Nies, and Miss Northern Ohio, Madison Miller.
Nies wowed the judges with Chopin Etude Op. 10, No. 5, or the “Black Keys Etude,” while Miller kept the audience on their toes with Sonata in B Minor – a challenging piece from composer Domenico Scarlatti.
Both Nies and Miller laughed as they recalled what a journey it has been perfecting their craft to make it to the Miss Ohio stage.
“My mom cracked the whip on me when I was about four years old,” Nies said.
“She sat and practiced with me for hours even when I cried, even when I wanted to go outside and play she said, ‘No, this is going to serve you one day.’ And here we are.”
Miller started playing the piano at the same age as Nies. A very different beginning, however, Miller recalled tapping on a colorful toy that resembled a piano in her closet before she was able to start playing.
“My mom, I finally convinced her to [let me] take lessons,” Miller said.
“My parents sacrificed so much for me to go, so I’ve been playing for 18 years. I am so grateful because I hope this shows that their sacrifice was so worth it.”
This is Nies’ first year competing at Miss Ohio, and Miller’s second year.
Miller, who competed as Miss Maple City last year, crowned Nies at the local pageant this year.
While Miller is the first to compete from her family, Nies likes to think she was born into the Miss America organization.
“In the history of the Miss America competition there has been one family to send three daughters to Miss America, and I’m proud to call them my mother and my two aunts,” Nies said.
Although none of her family members captured the Miss Ohio title, Nies’ two aunts were Miss New York 1984 and Miss Florida 1985, and her mom represented Illinois in 1992.
While the candidates wowed the audience, 7-year-old sensation Brekelle Miller pulled off something no one else did – she got a standing ovation for her remarkable ventriloquist act.
The talent did not stop there — Miss Ohio 2002 Tiffany Haas put on a show with “Movin’ Down The Line.”
Haas, who had a 10-year-long career on Broadway and toured nationally as “Glinda” from Wicked, also co-hosted the show.
In addition to the talent awards, a number of scholarships were given out to wrap up the final night of preliminary competition.
Miss Akron Canton, Madelenah McFarland, walked away with the title of Miss Photogenic and a gift basket from the stores of Richland Mall.
Miss Southern, Brittany Herman, won the $500 Women in STEM scholarship.
Miller continued her winning streak and was awarded a $500 scholarship in memory of Mina O’Guinn, while Nies was awarded the same amount in the Women in Business scholarship.
The end of Friday’s competition also marked the deadline for People’s Choice voting. Throughout the week, family, friends and fans were able to place an unlimited number of $1 votes for their favorite candidate to try and earn her a spot in the Top 10.
The panel of judges will choose nine of the 10 semifinalists – the tenth being the contestant who tallied up the most votes.
Lora Current, the reigning Miss Ohio, was the People’s Choice winner last year. Along with winning the highest number of votes, Current also won her ticket to Miss America and a year filled with sponsorships, events and opportunities.
