Bellville’s Kendall Windsor set to compete for Miss Ohio crown

BELLVILLE — As a young girl dancing in the annual Miss Ohio Parade, Kendall Windsor watched contestants glide past not knowing one day she would be standing in their shoes.

The Bellville native is preparing to take the Miss Ohio stage herself, bringing with her a passion for sports, a deep appreciation for agriculture and the support of a community that has encouraged her every step of the way.

Windsor, 20, graduated from Clear Fork High School in 2024 and now attends Ohio Dominican University, where she studies sports management, public relations and marketing, while pursuing minors in sports media and business.

As she prepares to compete for Miss Ohio, Windsor said her hometown remains one of her greatest sources of encouragement.

“My favorite part of Bellville is the community and support,” she said. “No matter if it was in sports or anything that I do, I always have the support of my community.”

Turning a childhood connection into a new challenge

For years, pageants remained a distant possibility rather than a concrete goal.

Although Windsor grew up dancing in the Miss Ohio Parade, she did not seriously consider competing until a friend involved in the teen program encouraged her to give it a try.

“I wanted to try something new and also make memories,” Windsor said. “The scholarships are very important.”

This year marks her second appearance in the Miss Ohio program after spending one year competing in the teen division.

Currently serving as Miss Ohio River, Windsor said that title has given her confidence and a strong support system as she prepares for the state’s largest pageant competition.

“Being Miss Ohio River has meant the world to me,” she said. “I couldn’t thank my directors, Pam and Regina, enough for this opportunity.”

More than the competition itself, Windsor said she values the relationships formed through the program.

“The best part of this program is the people who are a part of it,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being with all of the girls.”

Building opportunities through sports and connection

If Windsor earns the title of Miss Ohio, she said she hopes to continue expanding her community service initiative, “Together We Play.”

The initiative focuses on inclusive sports and creating opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds to participate.

“I would travel the state, encourage and support children and people of all ages to play sports no matter your ability,” she said. “With a future career in sports, I understand how much they have done for my life and I want to help it change others.”

As a collegiate soccer player and coach, Windsor has witnessed first-hand the impact sports can have on confidence, personal growth and community connections.

“Together We Play is promoting inclusive sports, breaking barriers so everyone regardless of ability or background can participate,” she said.

Sports have served as a constant throughout Windsor’s life. She played multiple sports growing up and said the lessons she learned through athletics helped shape the person she is today.

Her interests, however, extend beyond the playing field.

Windsor joined FFA as an eighth-grader at Clear Fork and continued her involvement in agriculture through 4-H after graduation.

“Agriculture is something I love so much,” she said. “I believe agriculture is the foundation for everything.”

For the talent portion of the competition, Windsor will bring another longtime passion to the stage with a high-energy jazz dance routine.

She started competitive dance in kindergarten and continued through eighth grade before spending her middle and high school years as a cheerleader.

Even after stepping away from competitive dance, she continued training and developing her skills.

“I have trained for many hours to continue to grow as a dancer,” Windsor said. “Something that sets me apart is my passion and energy in dance.”

History and admiration for her home state

When Windsor reflects on Ohio, she thinks about the traditions and history that connect communities across the state.

One of her favorite examples is the passion surrounding Ohio State athletics, whose fan base brings people together through a shared love of the team.

She also takes pride in Ohio’s history, specifically the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield.

“Something I am most proud of for our state is the history in Ohio, especially The Ohio State Reformatory,” she said. “We are so lucky to have it be in Mansfield.”

The landmark holds a personal connection for Windsor. Her grandfather worked at the reformatory, and she grew up listening to the stories he shared about his experiences there. In the early 1990s the structure served as the site for the movie The Shawshank Redemption, and remains a tourist attraction to this day.

As the Miss Ohio competition approaches, Windsor hopes her own journey encourages others to embrace opportunities that may feel intimidating at first.

“Do not be afraid to try new things. Do the scary things and have new experiences,” she said. “I never thought I would compete for Miss Ohio, but now I am living this dream and I could not be more thankful.”