MANSFIELD — After being crowned Miss Ohio, there was one person Olivia Fosson couldn’t wait to tell.
But news had already reached Carl Dickess, lovingly known as Grampsy.
Fosson’s mother called home not long after her coronation, but an uncle had beaten them both to the punch.
“Pack your bags,” she told him. “We’re going to Miss America!”
Fosson, 24, was crowned Miss Ohio 2025 Saturday night at the Renaissance Theater. She competed as Miss Clayland.
“It’s very surreal. I don’t think it’s really set in yet,” Fosson said Saturday night. “I think I may have blacked out for about 10 minutes.”
Fosson clinched a preliminary talent award earlier this week with her performance of “Ah, je ris de me voir” (The Jewel Song), an aria from the opera ‘Faust.'”
This was Fosson’s third year competing for the title. Last year, she was first runner up. She said she felt a bit of deja vu standing on stage this year, once again in the final two.
“I was like, ‘Oh, goodness, I have this familiar feeling,” she said.
“(First runner up Caitlin Seifert) is amazing, I’m so proud of her and she did a wonderful job,” Fosson added. “I’m so honored that I got to share that moment with her.”
Fosson said she wants to ‘represent Appalachia,’ advocate for those with eating disorders
Fosson grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Kitts Hill, a small community in southern Ohio.
“I’m the first Miss Ohio from Lawrence County,” Fosson said. “We may be a small town, but their support has been tremendous for throughout this entire journey for me.”
“I’m just honored to represent Appalachia and to be a role model for any young girl from a rural community,” she said.
A musical theater graduate from Oklahoma City University, Fosson is currently working towards a law degree from the Ohio State University.
Fosson pivoted to a legal career after suffering a career-ending injury.
“I decided that if I could no longer be on the stage telling stories, I wanted to tell other people’s stories and help them get the justice that they deserve,” she said.
Fosson’s community service initiative is Body Neutral: Celebratee, Connect, Create.
“I grew up as a dancer and a singer and I loved performing so much, but I didn’t always take care of my body very well,” Fosson said.
“I would really, really overwork it and not give it the proper food that it needed to be able to sustain that kind of movement and rigorous exercise.”
Fosson completed a year and half of physical therapy to recover from her pelvic floor injury, but it gave her a new purpose.
“I’ve made it my mission to share my story so that anyone who’s struggling with body image issues knows that they’re not alone,” she said.
In addition to promoting support and resources for those who struggle with body image, Fosson hopes to promote healthy body image and sustainable habits for the next generation. She currently serves as a national ambassador for Project HEAL and With All.
Ashland native received fourth runner up
Fosson was selected from 28 candidates to represent Ohio in the Miss America competition later this year. She also received a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by The Natalie Ruth Plank Memorial Fund.
Miss Central Ohio Caitlin Seifert was named first runner up. Seifert won preliminary awards in talent on Thursday and health and fitness on Friday. She received a $4,500 scholarship sponsored by ArcelorMittal.
Miss Northern Ohio Lucabella LaEace was second runner up. LaEace clinched a preliminary health and fitness award Thursday night. She received a $4,000 scholarship sponsored by the Mansfield Noon Optimists.
Miss Portsmouth Brittney Putman was named third runner up. She received a $3,500 scholarship sponsored by Mansfield Elks.
Miss Ashland Grace Bryant ended her first Miss Ohio competition week as fourth runner up. She received a $3,000 scholarships sponsored by Avita Health System.
Additional semifinalists included Miss Ohio River Emily Legenza, Miss Chillicothe Madalynn Anderson, Miss North Coast Megan Riehle, Miss Northwestern Ohio Bryn Hasenaur, Miss Greater Columbus Olivia Jarrell and People’s Choice Winner Miss South Central Hannah-Grace Lew.
