Pageant Press & Pics: Springfield girls meet Miss Ohio

Springfield girls meet Miss Ohio

Springfield News-Sun

Jessica Holbrook

Friday, July 30, 2010

Eight area girls received the royal treatment, complete with two days of shopping, pampering and presents, during a two-day visit from Miss Ohio.

Miss Ohio, Becky Minger, spent July 28 and 29 with eight Springfield 9- to 14-year-olds, as part of the Salvation Army’s “Red Carpet Experience.”

The two-day experience included a shopping spree at Old Navy, dinner at Young’s Dairy and a sleepover at the Courtyard by Marriott.

The crowning event was front-row seats to a performance of “Cinderella” at LaComedia dinner theatre in Springboro.

The girls were driven to each location in a limo and kept in the dark about their destination until they arrived, making every stop a surprise, said Pastor Ray Ryan, Youth Minister for the Salvation Army.

Local businesses volunteered time and resources , including the Styling Gallery which gave the girls a makeover complete with hairstyling, manicures makeup, said owner Joanna Krouse.

“We love doing this,” Krouse said. “(The girls) have a little more of a smile on their face.”

The salon also provided pink goody bags and balloons for the girls, who chatted with Minger over chocolate cupcakes while they waited for their turn with a stylist.

The girls are part of the Salvation Army’s urban outreach program, Ryan said. The girls selected were the ones who would benefit the most from having the experience.

“They need to know that people are behind them, cheering them on,” he said.

Springfield is one of the many stops on Minger’s journey to the Miss America pageant in January. She chose to participate in the experience because her platform focuses on self-esteem and self-empowerment.

“I’ve had so much fun,” she said. “It’s so wonderful seeing them enjoy themselves.”

For the girls, the experience does provide a needed self-esteem boost, Ryan said.

“The message we want to spend is that they’re worth it, every penny,” he said.

[All photos by Marshall Gorby.]

Pageant Press: Beauty is easy for Miss Ohio 2010

Beauty is easy for Miss Ohio 2010

Tripp News Daily

Mike Woody

July 21, 2010

Most of the 80,000 in attendance over the weekend at the Vectren Dayton Air Show were dazzled by the display artistry in the air performed by the various planes. Their eyes were glued to the sky, I on the other hand while impressed by the Blue Angels flying 18 inches apart was drawn more to a different sight of beauty. My attention went to Becky Minger, a.k.a..Miss Ohio 2010.

‘It’s not easy being beautiful,’ is a phrase often uttered by women, who are bothered by all the lustful attention received by men and challenged to find matching accessories for every outfit. Their complaints are unwarranted compared to the endless efforts that Miss Ohio must give in representing her crown.

Since being named Miss Ohio a month ago, Minger has already traveled 3,500 miles for speaking engagement and other appearances, in her own car. All while maintaining a natural sparkling smile and radiant glow. Never showing any signs of weariness, but always ready to keep going to the next stop.

More than just a pretty face, and a prized figure, the true gift that Minger possesses is her intelligence and inner beauty. She dispels the notion that beauty pageant contestants are all thoughtless airheads who only know how to balance books atop their head rather than be able to read them. Minger is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Political Science.

Her platform is strong and very dear to her heart, which is ‘Empowering You, Discovering You.’ It focuses on four key points; building a healthy self image, respecting yourself and others, setting goals, and recognizing support. Her mission is to strengthen children with the endless power of believing in themselves.

Self confidence and perseverance got Minger to where she is today. She had tried for Miss Ohio four previous times, but never gave up until her goal was ultimately reached. Next on her agenda is being crowned Miss America, the pageant will be January 15th on ABC.

It might not be easy being beautiful, I will never know, but I can attest that it can be difficult being faced with it. As a credit to Minger, I must make this confession. While meeting with her for the interview I was accompanied by Wendy Bauder, not only as a colleague but also a friend. I’ve known Wendy for over a year; I’ve dined at her house, we’ve walked the streets of Tipp City together, and are even Facebook friends. I know her name as well as my own, but while attempting to introduce her to Miss Ohio I drew a blank. Mind you it was very hot out so that might have had something to do with it as well. Though my memory seemed fine all the rest of the day.

I hope everyone else enjoyed watching the airplanes as much as I did my time with Becky Minger, who makes being beautiful look easy.

Pageant Press: Miss Lake Festival reigns

Miss Lake Festival reigns

Stansbury selected queen from eight in pageant

The Daily Standard

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

By Betty Lawrence

CELINA - Devon Stansbury will reign at this weekend's Celina Lake Festival after being crowned Miss Lake Festival 2010 on Monday evening at the Celina Fieldhouse.

Stansbury, 20, is a 2008 graduate of Parkway High School, Rockford, and is the daughter of Steve Stansbury and Marcia Ripley.

Dressed in light pink, Stansbury danced her way across the stage in a contemporary lyrical performance to "Free Fallin" for the talent portion of the scholarship pageant. Her long white gown with glistening halter bodice drew the attention of the five judges in the evening gown portion of the contest, and for the lifestyle and fitness division, Stansbury chose a two-piece aqua swimsuit.

Named first runner-up was Jena Sweigart, 18, a senior at Celina High School. She is the daughter of Jim and Jane Sweigart. Sweigart sang "Poor Wandering One" in the talent portion of the pageant, and her two-piece swimsuit was green. Glittering bands accented the neckline of her long pink gown for the evening gown competition.

The judges selected Rachel Hertenstein, 18, as the second runner-up. She is a 2010 Celina High School graduate and is the daughter of Mike and Sheryl Hertenstein.

Hertenstein performed the Broadway vocal "Show Off" in the talent portion of the competition and chose a strapless long blue gown for the evening gown division. Her two-piece swimsuit was dark blue.

Rounding out the queen's court was third runner-up Samantha Hartings, 18, a 2010 graduate of Coldwater High School. She is the daughter of Marvin and Janice Hartings.

Hartings performed a lyrical dance to "Wait Till You See My Smile" in the talent portion of the competition and wore a bright pink two-piece swimsuit for the lifestyle division.

Last year's Miss Lake Festival Queen, Cayla Hellwarth, crowned the new queen.

Eight young ladies competed for the crown and a chance to move on to the Miss Ohio pageant.

More than $17,000 in scholarships was awarded to contestants. The Western Ohio Education foundation provides $8,000 in matching funds to participants who attend Wright State University-Lake Campus.

As queen, Stansbury won the $3,800 Miss Lake Festival scholarship, as well as the $300 On-Stage Interview award and $200 People's Choice award.

First runner-up Sweigart earned a $1,800 scholarship award and the Fred Thees $600 Interview award.

Second runner-up Hertenstein received a $1,500 scholarship and the $600 Outstanding Talent award. Third runner-up Hartings received a $1,200 scholarship for her effort.

Contestant Emilee Langenkamp received the $600 Commitment to Excellence award and $500 non-finalist award. Also receiving the $500 non-finalist awards were contestants Roxanne Romack, Tori Puthoff and Jocelyn Staugler. Romack also received the $200 Barbara Wagner Memorial Award.

The talent portion of the competition accounted for the largest percentage (35) of the judges' total score. Private interviews held by the judges just prior to the pageant made up 25 percent, while other points came from evening wear, 20; lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, 15; and on-stage interview, 5.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Miss Lake Festival 2008 Ellen Bryan, who also served as hostess; 2009 Lake Festival Queen Cayla Hellwarth; and Miss Ohio 2009 Erica Gelhaus.

The pageant was dedicated in memory of Jackie Balfour, who served as pageant director from 1976 to 1993. Balfour passed away June 15, and a new pageant scholarship also was established in her name. Receiving that $150 scholarship was Puthoff.