ASHLAND — Confidence hasn’t always come easily for Lexie Miller.
But she exuded it on Saturday night, strutting across the Miss Ohio stage in a floor length gown and belting out a classic hit by Aretha Franklin.
After a final night of competition, Miller was crowned this year’s Miss Ohio at Ashland High School’s Archer Auditorium.
“I feel like I’m still waiting to wake up,” she said afterwards. “I’ve been putting in a lot of work to be here, so I’m just very excited that the judges chose me.”
Miller began competing in Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen program at age 14, mostly because she wanted a chance to sing onstage.
“I remember competing as a teen, thinking that I could never win and I could never compete in the Miss division,” Miller said. “I didn’t believe that I was good enough to do it.”
“Over the past couple years, I really challenged myself to find that potential in myself and chase it, no matter what it took,” she added. “I wanted to believe in myself and here I am.”
Miller, who competed as Miss South Central, also credited her parents with helping her become the next Miss Ohio.
“My mom and my dad have always been very supportive. They’ve told me if I start something, that I need to finish it, and I need to give it my all,” she said.
“That’s what I’ve carried with me throughout my life — regardless of if things are hard, regardless if doing things the right way is not the easy way. It’s slowly been starting to pay off for me.”
Miller works as a nurse in a cardiac intensive care unit in Columbus. Her community service initiative, Take HEART, focuses on creating awareness and promoting cardiovascular health.
A second year Miss Ohio contender, she earned a preliminary talent award Thursday for her performance of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” which she described as an ode to self-confidence.
Miller will represent the Buckeye State at the Miss America competition in September in Palm Beach, Florida.
Finalists for Miss Ohio included Miss Greater Columbus Caitlin Seifert (first runner-up). Miss Clayland Lucabella LaEace (second runne-up), Miss Lake Festival Mackenzie Harmer (third runner-up) and Miss North Coast Marina Denunzio (fourth runner-up.)
Semifinalists included Miss Lake Erie Sophia Rose Kreze, Miss Maple City Emily Legenza, Miss Northern Ohio Cassandra Kurek, Miss Greater Cleveland Emily Cram, Miss Columbia Homecoming Madalynn Anderson and Miss Shawnee Bryn Hasenaur.
